Neil Warnock was unhappy with referee Steve Bennett and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard following his side's defeat at Anfield. Warnock was left fuming by Bennett's officiating as United went down to a 4-0 defeat. The Blades chief was also angry with Gerrard for the part he played in Liverpool's disputed first penalty when he went down in the box after being held by Rob Kozluk. "I know Steve Bennett and he is a manufactured referee not a referee that understands actually playing the game," fumed Warnock. "I was disappointed with Steven Gerrard for the first penalty "I cannot blame him, he is a professional footballer, but if you look at his eyes he wants a penalty from the start and he is even telling Steve Bennett 'look he has got hold of me'. "You can fault Rob Kozluk for falling into that trap but it was a very, very harsh penalty but he wants to give it. "It is so frustrating for me in a game when the first goal is always going to be crucial "I have no complaints about the end result because once that goal went in we committed suicide and with the other penalty I have no complaint with that. "Two mistakes for the two other goals and we had three or four great chances which were more difficult to miss than score. "So I can't fault the effort, the effort was there. "I am disappointed in one or two decisions but that is Neil Warnock isn't it?"
Blades Line-up: Kenny, Geary, Jagielka, Lucketti (Morgan 32 mins ), Armstrong, Kozluk (Kazim-Richards, 25 mins), Tonge, Fathi, Montgomery, Stephen Quinn (Stead, 66 mins), Hulse.
Man of The Match: Nick Montgomery
Liverpool Line-up: Dudek, Finnan, Carragher (Agger 77), Hyypia, Riise, Pennant, Gerrard (Alonso 74), Mascherano, Gonzalez, Crouch (Kuyt 23), Fowler.
United slumped to a 4-0 defeat against an in-form Liverpool side. And the result was certainly a flattering one for the Reds. The Blades tried to upset Liverpool by forcing them to defend the Anfield Road end in the first half. After a quiet start United created the first opening of the game when Rob Hulse held off Sami Hyypia on the edge of the box before turning and firing a shot well wide. Liverpool created their first opportunity four minutes later when Mark Gonzalez got behind Rob Kozluk to latch on to Hyypia's pass, but the Chilean winger lifted his shot over the crossbar. Liverpool have a reputation of getting plenty of penalties on home soil, and today was to be no exception - especially with a referee like Steve Bennett in charge of proceedings. After 20 minutes, Liverpool won their first penalty. After Steven Gerrard was apparently held in the box by Kozluk and in the same incident Peter Crouch picked up a nasty head injury after being caught in the face by Hulse's boot. Gerrard, who moments earlier had got the attention of the referee, managed to cleverly run in to Kozluk's right arm and then collapsed. Of course it was in front of the Kop, and the referee pointed straight to the spot. It makes you wonder if the roles had been reversed, and it had been United claiming a similar penalty, whether a penalty would have been given? Fowler, who scored from the spot on the opening day of the season against United - after another Gerrard dive, took responsibility from 12 yards and he made no mistake in drilling the ball into the bottom corner. Crouch was forced off with the injury and he was replaced by Dirk Kuyt. Liverpool were awarded a second penalty five minutes later when Nick Montgomery tangled with Gerrard as he burst into the box. Fowler again faced up to Paddy Kenny and he sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to put Liverpool in firm control. United boss Neil Warnock made a tactical change soon after when he took off Kozluk for a lively Colin Kazim-Richards. Things got worse for the Blades on the 30 minute mark, when Chris Lucketti was forced off with an injury and fellow defender Chris Morgan replaced him in defence. Liverpool almost grabbed a third goal six minutes before the break when John Arne Riise headed Hyypia pass into the path of Gonzalez who thumped in a shot which Kenny did well to beat away. United had a half chance on 51 minutes when the ball fell to Montgomery inside the box, but under pressure he headed the ball wide. Gerrard was inches away from scoring soon after when he made space on the edge of the box and blasted in a shot which flew just wide of the post. Fowler went close when he headed Jermaine Pennant's cross wide even though Gerrard looked to be in a better position to get on the end of the cross. Hulse had a goal chalked off for offside just past the hour mark as United tried to find a way back into the game. Riise went close to scoring on 63 minutes when Fowler teed him up fully 35 yards from goal and he flashed a shot just over the top. Liverpool netted a third goal on 70 minutes when the United defence failed to clear a Pennant corner and Hyypia smashed a left-footed shot past Kenny. A minute later, Hulse almost pulled a goal back for the Blades when he saw his header from Kazim-Richards' cross well saved by goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek. But, in truth this was United's first real scoring chance of the afternoon. This was undoubtedly because of the 4-5-1 formation which Neil Warnock had employed from the start. Why we did not play the 4-4-2 formation which beat Tottenham, and at least tried to take the game to Liverpool from the start. It seemed as though we were just there to contain Liverpool for as long as possible. Still, the Blades fans were still poking fun at their counterparts on the Kop - ‘shall we sing a song for you' was the chant coming from the Shoreham Boys. On 73 minutes, Fowler played Gerrard through on goal with a superb pass and the Liverpool captain fired his shot past Kenny and into the bottom corner. Fowler was going in search of his third goal and he saw his shot from the edge of the box spilled by Kenny 15 minutes from time. Hulse should have scored for United after 80 minutes, when Kazim-Richards picked him out unmarked right in front of goal, but he somehow struck his shot against the crossbar. Before, we all new what might happed at Anfield, so there we no surprise when they got two penalties. United did not deserve to lose out 4-0 – perhaps 2-0 would have been a better reflection of the game. But, it's the matches at Bramall Lane we need to win now - starting with Everton next week. Win our home matches and we will be safe.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Liverpool:
Kenny 6 , Geary 6 , Jagielka 7 , Lucketti 5 (Morgan 6 ), Armstrong 6 , Kozluk 5 (Kazim-Richards 7 ), Tonge 5 , Fathi 7 , Montgomery 7 , Stephen Quinn 6 (Stead 5 ), Hulse 7 .
Chris Lucketti has set his sights on winning a new deal with United. The defender appeared to be on his way out of the Lane at the turn of the year, but he has found favour in recent weeks and has played in all of the club's last five league matches. Lucketti's current contract is due to expire in the summer, but he hopes to earn a new deal from manager Neil Warnock. "It will depend on how the rest of the season goes, but I feel I've another season in me at this level. I don't see any reason why not," said Lucketti. "I feel good. I've looked after myself in the past, and I'd like to think that's helping now. "I certainly know I'd love to stay. If they put a contract on the table now I'd snap their hands off because it's a fantastic club. "Hopefully, I've proved something to the manager. It's given him a headache with team selection because there's a lot of competition for places, particularly at centre-half. "But I also feel I've proved something to myself. You wonder if you can play in the Premiership but until you do then you never know."
Defender Claude Davis is ready to return to action but is facing a battle for his position. Davis has been sidelined from playing since suffering a knee injury at Reading on 20th January. But following reserve outings against Everton and Blackburn, the Jamaican international has now made a full recovery but with Phil Jagielka and Chris Lucketti forming a formidable partnership at the back in his absence, Davis is facing a tough challenge to get back in the side. "I consider myself fit and available again but I have to wait my turn because the lads at the back have been playing well," he commented.
Midfielder Li Tie is keen on a loan move to a Championship club. The 30 year-old Chinese international joined the Blades last summer but has struggled to establish himself in the first team squad due to injuries. "It has been very disappointing to be injured again this season because I have been out for a long time over the last two years," Li said. "The reason I came here was to play in matches but, unfortunately, I have been injured. My body is not the problem now. I am back in training and I just need to get match-fit." Li is hoping a stint in The Championship will help him regain match fitness. "If there is an opportunity to join a good Championship club for one to two months, I will take it. But, obviously, I would prefer to stay at Sheffield United. "My target for the rest of the season is to be involved in more training and, hopefully, get more opportunities at Bramall Lane."
Striker Rob Hulse has quashed talk The Blades may rest on their laurels for the rest of the season. The Blades moved 10 points clear of the drop zone over the weekend after coming from behind to beat Tottenham. Hulse believes a strong work ethic is behind their success and that the side are taking nothing for granted, despite their impressive points tally. "A lot of the lads here have had a point to prove, and when that's the case, you are dangerous," stated Hulse. "There are no big egos at this club. We're a good, hard-working side who play some good football and show a lot of character. "But although we've this 10-point cushion, we can't take too much confidence from it. "There's still a long way to go, so we're not taking anything for granted, but we're not looking behind us either. "We're just concentrating on what we're doing, what we can affect, and hopefully come the end of May we will be sitting pretty. "Personally I'm delighted with how things have gone. My ambition was to come here and show that I am good enough, and I think I've done that. "But it's not about me. It's about this club staying in this division. That's the most important thing."
Neil Warnock felt United were fully deserving of their 2-1 win over Tottenham. After falling behind early, The Blades battled back and equalised through Rob Hulse before Phil Jagielka's penalty won it in the second half. Warnock was delighted with the performance from his players, which he felt typified his side's spirit. "I think it epitomises everything about the club, they're a great bunch of lads and I felt very proud ," commented. "I thought we deserved what we got, we could have scored a few more but we always end up biting our nails." Warnock was particularly pleased with the response to going behind to Jermaine Jenas' second minute goal. "No heads went down and we must have had three or four great chances to equalise and you do start thinking, we've had one or two other games like that where other teams have ended up snatching it," he said. "It would have been undeserved today, I thought we deserved it totally." Striker Hulse came in for special praise, but Warnock was happy with every single United player. He added: "(Hulse) has had a great game, he kept us in it that first 25 minutes when Tottenham were on top. "And I thought the backbone of the team did, the two centre backs were outstanding, the midfield lads and Hulse and Steady. I thought right down the spine we were solid today. "Rob deserved his goal, he's been a bit close lately but it's another one and he's having a good season."
Kenny 6 , Geary 8 , Jagielka 8 , Lucketti 7 , Armstrong 7 , Kazim-Richards 7 (Fathi 6 ), Tonge 6 , Montgomery 8 , Stephen Quinn 7 , Hulse 9 (Bromby -- ), Stead 7 . 3rd February Manager Neil Warnock feels Phil Jagielka is worthy of a place in the England squad. Warnock witnessed England's loss and promptly championed the cause of his midfield driving force Jagielka. Jagielka has proven his class in the Premiership this term and Warnock feels he would add a touch of versatility to Steve McClaren's squad. "I think Phil Jagielka would get in most Premiership teams in midfield or centre-half - and he's not a bad goalkeeper," said the Blades boss. Warnock, though, believes Jagielka is paying a price for playing for United. "I think it is difficult (to get in the England squad) at the moment because of the number of bodies who are playing with big clubs - and big clubs always get the selection for the national teams," he added. "I think it takes a brave manager to pick lads from the lesser, smaller clubs - but it doesn't mean that is the right decision. "I think Phil playing for England would help England. I am probably a little bit biased but in the next 12-18 months ..." 3rd February Blackburn Rovers 2 Sheffield United 1 (Attendance: 20,917 ) Blades Line-up: Kenny, Geary, Jagielka, Lucketti, Kozluk, Tonge, Montgomery, Armstrong, Stephen Quinn, Stead, Hulse.
Kenny 6 , Geary 8 , Jagielka 7 , Lucketti 7 , Kozluk 6 , Tonge 7 , Montgomery 7 , Armstrong 6 , Stephen Quinn 7 , Stead 7 , Hulse 7 .
Kenny 6 , Geary 8 , Jagielka 8 , Lucketti 7 , Armstrong 7 , Kazim-Richards 7 (Fathi 6 ), Tonge 6 , Montgomery 8 , Stephen Quinn 7 , Hulse 9 (Bromby -- ), Stead 7 . 3rd February Manager Neil Warnock feels Phil Jagielka is worthy of a place in the England squad. Warnock witnessed England's loss and promptly championed the cause of his midfield driving force Jagielka. Jagielka has proven his class in the Premiership this term and Warnock feels he would add a touch of versatility to Steve McClaren's squad. "I think Phil Jagielka would get in most Premiership teams in midfield or centre-half - and he's not a bad goalkeeper," said the Blades boss. Warnock, though, believes Jagielka is paying a price for playing for United. "I think it is difficult (to get in the England squad) at the moment because of the number of bodies who are playing with big clubs - and big clubs always get the selection for the national teams," he added. "I think it takes a brave manager to pick lads from the lesser, smaller clubs - but it doesn't mean that is the right decision. "I think Phil playing for England would help England. I am probably a little bit biased but in the next 12-18 months ..." 3rd February Blackburn Rovers 2 Sheffield United 1 (Attendance: 20,917 ) Blades Line-up: Kenny, Geary, Jagielka, Lucketti, Kozluk, Tonge, Montgomery, Armstrong, Stephen Quinn, Stead, Hulse.
Kenny 6 , Geary 8 , Jagielka 7 , Lucketti 7 , Kozluk 6 , Tonge 7 , Montgomery 7 , Armstrong 6 , Stephen Quinn 7 , Stead 7 , Hulse 7 .
Blades Line-up: Kenny, Geary, Jagielka, Lucketti, Armstrong, Kazim-Richards (Fathi 72), Tonge, Montgomery, Stephen Quinn, Hulse (Bromby 90), Stead.
Man of The Match: Rob Hulse
Spurs Line-up: Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, Rocha, Assou-Ekotto, Jenas, Zokora, Tainio (Defoe 63), Malbranque (Mido 73), Keane, Berbatov.
Sheffield United continued their climb up the Premiership table after an memorable 2-1 victory at Bramall Lane. This was one of those games that live long in the memory as United outplayed a useful Spurs side to establish themselves as a mid-table premiership side. United had an early chance as the ball fell to Jon Stead after a scramble on the edge of the area, but the striker could not get a shot away. Martin Jol's men went straight up the other end and opened the scoring as Robbie Keane's flick was into the path of Jenas who lobbed Paddy Kenny as the keeper closed in. Keane almost got a second soon after as Teemu Tainio stole the ball in midfield and fed in the Irishman whose shot from a tight angle flashed across the face of Kenny's goal. Dimitar Berbatov spurned a glorious chance when he headed wide unmarked from a corner, and Hulse almost made him pay. Colin Kazim-Richards' free-kick from the left-hand side found Hulse at the back post and his header was directed towards the top corner but hit the underside of the crossbar and came down on the line. The officials adjudged that the ball did not cross the line and Spurs were able to clear the danger as the Blades turn up the pressure. Michael Tonge saw a header deflect off a Spurs head and goalkeeper Paul Robinson was able to gather at the feet of Hulse. Hulse got his goal just before the half hour mark as he out-jumped defenders Michael Dawson and Ricardo Rocha to get his head on Kazim-Richards' corner and the ball found a way through the crowd and nestled in the back of the net. Stead and Kazim-Richards both failed to beat Robinson with strikes from the edge of the area and the sides went in level at the break. United were causing plenty of problems from set pieces and Hulse again struck the bar, this time from a Kazim-Richards corner directed towards the near post. The Blades fans were creating an incredible atmosphere and United continued to pile on the pressure in front of the Shoreham Kop, and eventually the Spurs backline broke as Tainio unnecessarily clattered into Stephen Quinn just inside the area. Jagielka blasted the penalty straight down the middle, leaving Robinson with no chance. Hulse continued to be a thorn in Spurs' side as his flick-on had to be dealt with by Robinson as Stead closed in on the ball. The pair linked up again, but this time Hulse fired well over the top after neat work on the right from his strike partner.
Jol had all four of his ‘big shot' strikers on the field as they tried for an equaliser. But, United were holding firm, and with Tottenham lost for ideas; Keane, Mido and Berbatov and co. were becoming increasingly frustrated and temperamental. A Jermain Defoe volley that went well over the bar was the best it got for Spurs. Defoe himself had also shown a childish disposition after being booked for pushing after a free-kick had been given to United. At the Kop end the fun was continuing, and Quinn was inches away from getting a touch on Stead's cross which would have surely diverted the ball into the goal. To see the smiling faces leaving the ground today. What a great day at the Lane. Fans are now comparing this United side with the side from the early 1970's. It had been a game that will live long in the memories of the Blades fans that were present today.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Tottenham Hotspur :
Kenny 6 , Geary 8 , Jagielka 8 , Lucketti 7 , Armstrong 7 , Kazim-Richards 7 (Fathi 6 ), Tonge 6 , Montgomery 8 , Stephen Quinn 7 , Hulse 9 (Bromby -- ), Stead 7 .
Manager Neil Warnock feels Phil Jagielka is worthy of a place in the England squad. Warnock witnessed England's loss and promptly championed the cause of his midfield driving force Jagielka. Jagielka has proven his class in the Premiership this term and Warnock feels he would add a touch of versatility to Steve McClaren's squad. "I think Phil Jagielka would get in most Premiership teams in midfield or centre-half - and he's not a bad goalkeeper," said the Blades boss. Warnock, though, believes Jagielka is paying a price for playing for United. "I think it is difficult (to get in the England squad) at the moment because of the number of bodies who are playing with big clubs - and big clubs always get the selection for the national teams," he added. "I think it takes a brave manager to pick lads from the lesser, smaller clubs - but it doesn't mean that is the right decision. "I think Phil playing for England would help England. I am probably a little bit biased but in the next 12-18 months ..." 3rd February Blackburn Rovers 2 Sheffield United 1 (Attendance: 20,917 ) Blades Line-up: Kenny, Geary, Jagielka, Lucketti, Kozluk, Tonge, Montgomery, Armstrong, Stephen Quinn, Stead, Hulse.
Kenny 6 , Geary 8 , Jagielka 7 , Lucketti 7 , Kozluk 6 , Tonge 7 , Montgomery 7 , Armstrong 6 , Stephen Quinn 7 , Stead 7 , Hulse 7 .
Blackburn Rovers 2 Sheffield United 1 (Attendance: 20,917 )
Blades Line-up: Kenny, Geary, Jagielka, Lucketti, Kozluk, Tonge, Montgomery, Armstrong, Stephen Quinn, Stead, Hulse.
Man of The Match: Derek Geary
Blackburn Line-up: Friedel, Emerton, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Bentley, Mokoena (Dunn 60), Kerimoglu (Nonda 87), Pedersen, Derbyshire (Roberts 17), McCarthy.
Sent Off: Warnock 88.
A stoppage-time free-kick from Morten Gamst Pedersen saw Blackburn Rovers defeat Sheffield United 2-1 at Ewood Park. Defeat was harsh on the Blades who had looked set to claim a well-earned point after Jon Stead had immediately cancelled out Pedersen's first-half strike. Rovers looked uncertain in defence in the opening exchanges and United had two glorious opportunities to claim a lead inside ten minutes. Rob Hulse turned and saw a shot deflected on to a post and Nick Montgomery volleyed wide inside the area when he really should have done better. Stead shot over the bar but the only noteworthy incident from an attacking sense for Rovers had been a 17th minute injury to Matt Derbyshire who was replaced by the Jason Roberts. With little warning, Rovers claimed the lead in the 22nd minute. Brett Emerton cut inside on the right-hand edge of the area and delivered a cross for Pedersen to head past Paddy Kenny from six yards. Within three minutes United were level as Stead scored on his return to Ewood Park. The two Blades strikers combined in style, with Hulse flicking on, and Stead having shrugged off the attentions of full debutant Christopher Samba, fired past Brad Friedel. Pedersen should have restored Rovers' lead ten minutes before half-time but the striker dragged his shot wide after running on to Ryan Nelsen's ball over the top. Rovers had slightly the greater share of play in the second half. David Bentley went close for Rovers' but Kenny was equal to the winger's shot. An impressive overhead kick from Hulse flashed just wide of goal at the other end, but the tempo had dropped after a frantic first half. David Dunn was reintroduced for his second Rovers debut on the hour - the midfielder taking the field in place of Aaron Mokoena. Roberts and Benni McCarthy combined but the former shot wide, while Bentley crossed for Pedersen to head at goal but straight at Kenny. Stephen Quinn volleyed over from the edge of the area for United, while Rovers' third substitute Shabani Nonda cut out a Stead cross when danger threatened. Rovers were reduced to ten men after Stephen Warnock was shown a second yellow card on his home debut, following a foul on Derek Geary, as the Irishman raced along the touchline. Disaster struck in the final minute, when Rovers' claimed an undeserved winner, after Dunn was brought down on the edge of the area by Michael Tonge. Pedersen stepped up to curl in a left-footed free-kick past an unsighted Kenny.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Blackburn Rovers :
Kenny 6 , Geary 8 , Jagielka 7 , Lucketti 7 , Kozluk 6 , Tonge 7 , Montgomery 7 , Armstrong 6 , Stephen Quinn 7 , Stead 7 , Hulse 7 .