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Kevin Blackwell named a strong side against the Brisbane Road team who have only won two home games all season. The likes of Sun Jihai, Greg Halfrord, Ian Bennett and another academy prospect Kyle Walker were all given a starting role. Kyle Naughton meanwhile was moved into centre midfield.
The opening stages of the first half didn't appitise too many spectators, including the 1,000 Unitedites who made the trek down to London. A few penalty appeals from Orient were turned down, but it was third time lucky for the O's. The referee pointed to the spot on 39 minutes after Kilgallon handled in the area after Thornton's shot. JJ Melligan converted past Bennett in the Blades goal.
A kicking up the backside will have been given to Blackwell's troops at the halfway mark. It took the United 19 minutes to equalise. Cotterill's corner was spilled by Orient's goalkeeper which gave Greg Halford the opportunity to pounce from close-range.
And almost straight away, United scored again. Darius Henderson who scored the only goal in Saturday's victory over Norwich laid the ball off magnificently to his fellow striker Billy Sharp who had to do a bit of work himself before scoring. He beat two defenders and the stranded goalkeeper to put United in front.
Five minutes later, the game was wrapped up. Kyle Naughton brought the ball out of his own penalty area, made great strides and gave the ball to Henderson. He had an effort which rebounded into the path of Naughton who could chip in with a third.
Kyle Walker who was making his senior Sheffield United debut after a loan stint at Northampton Town crossed a peach of a ball to the back post where the eager Greg Halford could nod in for a fourth.
In added time of the second half, Halford had a great opportunity to score an hat-trick but the goalkeeper tipped the ball round the post when Halford maybe should've scored. But Blades fans won't have too many sleepless nights as they saw a second half performance to be beckond with.
With Charlton gaining their first victory in Phil Parkinson's era at Norwich, the Addicks will travel to the Lane for their FA Cup Fourth Round tie. United continue their unbeaten away form where they haven't lost away from home since the 19th October, against Sheffield Wednesday. It's now 9 games unbeaten in their away fixtures and they look to continue that at Vicarage Road on Saturday.