March 2007

Blades Line-up: Kenny, Kilgallon, Jagielka, Lucketti, Bromby, Gillespie (Shelton 82), Montgomery, Leigertwood, Tonge, Nade (Stead 64), Kazim-Richards.

Man of The Match: Paddy Kenny

Bolton Line-up: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Meite, Ben Haim, Gardner, Nolan, Faye, Speed, Davies, Anelka, Diouf (Teymourian 86).

Sheffield United lost out after a hard fought match with Bolton Wanderers at The Reebok Stadium. A late goal by Kevin Davies fired home the only goal of the game to give the trotters the win. Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny made a string of top saves to keep Bolton at bay but his defence was finally breached with 10 minutes remaining through Davies. Bolton made the first chance straight from the kick-off when Gary Speed headed Davies' cross wide and minutes later Kevin Nolan dragged a shot well off target from 20 yards out. It took until midway through the half for either side to threaten again and after robbing Abdoulaye Faye, Colin Kazim-Richards blazed over from the left-hand side of the area. The Trotters sprung into life on the half-hour mark but neither Nicolas Anelka nor El Hadji Diouf troubled Kenny with weak efforts in quick succession. After a Gary Speed throw-in Nicky Hunt almost found the net when the full-back unleashed a superb volley from 35 yards, but Blades keeper Kenny pulled off a great save at full-stretch to turn the ball over the bar. Hunt turned provider soon after as his low cross eluded everyone in the box and came through to Diouf at the far post, however Kenny made another impressive save, tipping the Senegalese striker's curling effort round the left hand post. Faye failed to keep his header down from Diouf's corner, and having enjoyed the better of the game, Bolton almost found themselves going in at half-time trailing. Just before the break Matthew Kilgallon - who was making his long awaited debut for the Blades – crossed a speculative ball into the Bolton box. Kazim-Richards headed the ball back to Keith Gillespie on the edge of area, and his first-time strike deflected off Ricardo Gardner and went agonisingly wide of Jussi Jaaskelainen's left post. Bolton were twice awarded free-kicks from similar positions just after the break. Speed sent the first over the top and Anelka's attempt was deflected wide by the Blades wall. From the resulting corner Anelka heading into the box and Kenny made another good save to deny Davies' back flick after the Trotters had kept the ball alive in the area. This time the keeper saving with his legs. Nick Montgomery's drive from distance was comfortably gathered by Jaaskelainen, while Speed wasted a great chance on the break when he snatched a shot wide from 20 yards out. After 60 minutes, Bolton were inches from breaking the deadlock as Diouf's cross was headed back across goal by Faye. Anelka stuck out a foot to poke goalwards, but the ball rolled just past the post. Jaaskelainen was forced into action again when Michael Tonge found Blades midfielder Mikele Leigertwood who ran 10 yards before lunching a shot which tested the Bolton keeper. Moments later, Tonge pulled the ball just wide of the Bolton 18 yard box before striking a low shot which Jaaskelainen did well to save. United looked to be coming back into the game but with ten minutes remaining Anelka held the ball up for Davies, who struck a shot from 20 yards which finally beat Kenny as the ball rocketed into the bottom right corner of the net. There was still time for Kenny to make another fine stop with an instinctive save from Anelka's deflected effort. A frustrating afternoon for all Blades present today. But don't be downhearted. The real battle starts at the Lane next weekend.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Bolton Wanderers

Kenny 8 , Kilgallon 6 , Jagielka 7 , Lucketti 7 , Bromby 6 , Gillespie 6 (Shelton --), Montgomery 6 , Leigertwood 6 , Tonge 6 , Nade 5 (Stead 5 ), Kazim-Richards 7 .

Neil Warnock looks set to thrash out a 'double your money' contract with Sheffield United that could see the manager in sight of a decade at Bramall Lane. Warnock's future has been the subject of speculation recently, with terms on a new deal still unresolved, but Blades chairman Kevin McCabe confirmed progress has been made. Warnock, who joined the club in 1999, is reportedly on the verge of signing a new two-year contract that could double his existing pay. McCabe did admit that the deal's structure would depend on whether the club, who are currently four points clear of the bottom three in the Premiership, retain their top flight status. "It's not short-term. It's realistic for Neil's aspirations and our own," said McCabe. "We've had some good one-to-one debates already this month - on a contract and shooting for the top ten. It's been forthright, open and agreeable."

Neil Warnock admits he has no regrets about his recent fierce criticism of Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate. The United boss called Southgate's decision to rest key players for Boro's 2-0 defeat to Manchester City 'a disgrace' and was 'absolutely disgusted' by the situation. Warnock felt the rookie manager's decision was unfair on other clubs battling against relegation and he stands by his tirade. "I think you want to ask Alan Curbishley what he thought about it and Alan Pardew," Warnock commented . "Enough has been said about that, it's like old fish and chip paper now and it's on to the next game. "None whatsoever," added Warnock when asked if he had any regrets. "I probably let him off a little bit lightly really!" The Blades are currently four points clear of the relegation zone and Warnock concedes he is happy with his team's situation. He added: "I think at the start of the season if you'd put us in this position with eight games to go we'd have snapped your fingers off. "Yes, we're aware it might be one point (after the weekend), but last year it got to one point when everyone said our bubble had burst with Leeds, Watford and Palace, and we finished nine points above them. "So it's just a matter of knowing what you've got."

Neil Warnock has accused Gareth Southgate of fielding a weakened Middlesbrough team against Manchester City as a favour to Stuart Pearce. With Boro taking on Manchester United in an FA Cup quarter-final replay just two days later, Jonathan Woodgate, Julio Arca and Mark Viduka were rested for the clash with City on Saturday. City won the game 2-0 to end a run of five successive Premiership defeats and climb above Sheffield United in the battle to avoid relegation. Warnock believes Southgate's selection was 'disgusting' and 'disrespectful' to the other sides at the bottom of the table, and admitted he would be supporting United against Boro. He told Sky Sports News : "Personally I think it is a disgrace. I know Stuart is a friend of Gareth Southgate's and I know they've got Manchester United, but I'd love to see them lose the next six games, Middlesbrough, and see how they feel in the last couple of games when they are under that sort of pressure. "I think it's scandalous and I don't think a club like Middlesbrough should disrespect Sheffield United or Charlton or anyone else scrapping for their lives. "I'm absolutely disgusted to say the least. "If I had a choice of three players not to play against us, for Middlesbrough, I'd pick Woodgate, I'd pick Viduka and I'd pick Arca, and to not have any of them playing against Manchester City, especially the way Man City are playing at the moment, quite honestly it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. "He's got to know they've not got much chance of winning without those three players. Take those three out of the team and they are a shadow." Warnock even speculated that Southgate could decide to rest key players against struggling West Ham this weekend to aid Alan Curbishley's bid for survival. "He's only a young manager Gareth, I just one day hope he happens to learn," said Warnock. "They play West Ham on Saturday, that's another pal of his, so they'll probably not bother there. "How he imagines us not to be disappointed I don't know, and I'm sure Alan Pardew feels the same. "I think the game at Manchester United is important according to him, but I hope they get the just rewards at Manchester United."

Neil Warnock feels Rob Hulse will be sidelined for a long time after revealing it is likely he has suffered a double fracture to his ankle. The striker was stretchered off following an accidental collision with Chelsea keeper Petr Cech during United's 3-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge. The reaction of the players suggested it was a bad injury and Warnock is not positive, but has backed Hulse to bounce back. "He's had a great season," Warnock commented . "But it is going to take some recovering. "It looks like a double fracture and it puts things into perspective. "I don't know the ins and outs, but it is a bad injury. "He will bounce back, but it gives others the chance."

Blades Line-up: Kenny, Geary, Davis, Morgan, Armstrong, Gillespie, Alan Quinn (Tonge 67), Jagielka, Montgomery, Kazim-Richards, Hulse (Nade 25).

Man of The Match: Keith Gillespie.

Chelsea Line-up: Cech, Boulahrouz, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole (Ferreira 65), Wright-Phillips, Makelele, Lampard (Ballack 46), Robben, Shevchenko (Drogba 65), Kalou.

Chelsea ran out comfortable 3-0 winners over United in a match which clearly showed how much further the Blades will have to go if they are to compete with the best in the Premiership. The champions scored early through Andrei Shevchenko and were able to control the contest for the most part. Salomon Kalou and Michael Ballack also found their way onto the scoresheet as Jose Mourinho's men cut the deficit at the top to six points, while the Blades were devastated by the loss of striker Rob Hulse to a broken ankle. Last week Neil Warnock had told the local media that after the disappointment of the Liverpool match, they were going to have a more attacking formation at Stanford Bridge. Those Blades fans travelling to the game must have been delighted to here such words. Unfortunately when the match started it was apparent that it was 4-5-1 again with Hulse alone up-front with Colin Kazim-Richards playing just behind. The Blades plan to stifle Chelsea was alway going to fail, and was duly torn up after four minutes as Shevchenko slammed Chelsea in front. Ricardo Carvalho glided forward with grace and poise and picked out Shevchenko who had acres of space in the last third. And he promptly despatched a rocket shot across Paddy Kenny and in to the top corner of the net. After 15 minutes, Shaun Wright-Phillips left two Blades players in knots when cutting into the area, but then shot well wide with the outside of his right foot when he had team-mates well placed in the box. Two minutes later Wright-Phillips atoned, though, as he delivered a great cross into the box which was flicked on by Shevchenko and Kalou was on hand to bundle home from a yard out. The Blades showed nothing in the opening 20 minutes, but sprang to life after slipping two goals behind as Kazim-Richards fired in a wicked drive which was superbly saved by Petr Cech. Hulse then went close with an overhead kick, but his match came to a close two minutes later as he suffered what appeared to be a serious ankle injury when going in for a loose ball at the feet of Cech. Hulse was stretchered off and replaced by Christian Nade. Many in the Blades crowd thought Jon Stead would have been the obvious replacement for Hulse. The Blades could have been forgiven for losing their focus following the injury to Hulse, but they responded well and had the ball in the net on 33 minutes but Claude Davis' effort was chalked off due to Kazim-Richards being in an offside position. Chelsea ended the half in the ascendancy as Kalou, Shevchenko and Frank Lampard all went close in goalmouth scrambles. The Blades plugged away after the break, but Chelsea stepped up the pace at will and after Derek Geary had produced a superb tackle to halt Kalou in full flight, substitute Ballack added a third. Gillespie was adjudged to have fouled Arjen Robben. The Dutch winger going to ground after a slightest of touches from Gillespie. Wright-Phillips quickly whipped in the free-kick from the left and the German midfielder ghosted in unopposed to head home from six yards. Shevchenko was withdrawn just past the hour, having produced an outstanding display, but there was no respite for the Blades as he was replaced by Didier Drogba. Chelsea's wingers carried a threat all afternoon and Wright-Phillips and Robben both shot just wide following jinking runs. United had done well and had competed for every ball, even when facing a three goal deficit. There were some notable performances. Kazim-Richards with some good touches as he looked for openings, Nick Montgomery and Phil Jagielka battled for every ball in the midfield and Gillespie, who continually looked for openings on the wing, and defended competently. This is a match that most of us did not expect to win. But again United's formation did not give us many scoring chances even though they did attempt to take the game to Chelsea. Still as long as we win our home matches we should be safe. The question is who will replace Hulse for the rest of the season.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Chelsea

Kenny 6 , Geary 6 , Davis 6 , Morgan 6 , Armstrong 6 , Gillespie 7 , Alan Quinn 5 (Tonge 6 ), Jagielka 7 , Montgomery 7 , Kazim-Richards 7 , Hulse 6 (Nade 5 ).

United midfielder Li Tie is hopeful the forthcoming international break will prove beneficial to his bid to win first-team football at Bramall Lane. The China international has struggled to make an impact at the Lane since arriving in the summer, with a succession of leg injuries limiting his involvement. He is, though, confident that forthcoming friendlies against Australia and Uzbekistan will provide him with some much needed match practice. "There are two good reasons to head off to play in these matches," he told the club's official website. "Firstly it will give me much-needed match practice because I have not played recently and want to improve my fitness. "And secondly, there is the AFC Asian Cup in the summer that I would like to be involved in and this is a good chance to get some good practice with the team."

United manager Neil Warnock has promised not to rush Matthew Kilgallon back from an ankle injury. A long-standing problem has kept Kilgallon from making his Blades debut following his January switch from Leeds. The 22-year-old underwent further scans last week to reveal the full extent of the injury, with only bruising discovered. Warnock was relieved to learn the damage is not serious, but is adamant he will not rush Kilgallon's recovery. "Apparently it's not uncommon for them to take this long to heal," Warnock said. "It's not as bad as it could have been, but we don't want to take any risks by pushing him too hard because nature has to take its course. "Naturally it's disappointing for everyone concerned, especially for the lad himself. "But it should help to square things in everyone's minds now we know exactly what has been causing him this discomfort."

Blades Line-up: Kenny, Geary, Morgan (Alan Quinn 83), Davis, Armstrong, Kazim-Richards, Fathi, Jagielka, Stephen Quinn, Stead (Nade 61), Hulse.

Man of The Match: Chris Morgan

Everton Line-up: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Naysmith, Cahill (Osman 44), Carsley, Fernandes, Arteta, Johnson, Beattie (Vaughan 54).

United appeared poised to pull away from the relegation zone when Rob Hulse scored his eighth goal of the season in the 52nd minute. But 15 minutes from time a mistake from goalkeeper Paddy Kenny enabled Mikel Arteta to rifle home the equaliser from the spot. The best chance of the opening half fell the way of Tim Cahill with a downward header from Gary Naysmith's cross. Although Kenny was easily beaten, returning centre-back Claude Davis was on hand to hack the ball off the line. It was a reshuffled rearguard that primarily kept Kenny out of trouble, with Davis partnered by captain Chris Morgan as he started for the first time since early January, allowing Neil Warnock to push Phil Jagielka back into midfield. Kenny, though, was almost the architect of his own downfall in the 10th minute, squinting into the bright sunshine as he pawed at a bouncing throw from Toffees captain Phil Neville that almost caught him unawares. Fortunately for Kenny, Derek Geary and Davis were on hand to clear the danger before the duo then became involved in two of the three elbowing incidents that dominated the half. Davis was caught by James Beattie as they jumped for an aerial ball, the latter earning a caution from Mike Riley that might not have been given on another day. But then Stephen Quinn was clearly flattened by a forearm from Cahill that somehow went unpunished, before Arteta's leap left Geary with a bloodied lip. United were restricted to just two serious chances, both to Jon Stead who forced comfortable, low saves out of Tim Howard on each occasion. Seven minutes into the second half, Hulse stole in front of the covering Everton defender Joseph Yobo to steer a right-wing cross from Colin Kazim-Richards past Howard. The Blades at this stage looked comfortable until Kenny's gaffe cost the Blades dearly. Jumping to collect a high ball, he fumbled, allowing Johnson to steal in. The England international may has a reputation for going to ground too easily, but that was not the case on this occasion as Kenny caught his ankle as he attempted to retrieve the ball. Riley immediately pointed to the spot, and Arteta then drove the ball home off the underside of the crossbar. Kenny partly redeemed himself for his earlier indiscretion with a superb save as a 22-yard free-kick from Arteta whistled through a crowd of players. There were further worries for United in the closing stages when Morgan went off with what appeared to be a facial injury after accidentally heading the back of Everton substitute James Vaughan's head. It had been an exciting and bruising encounter and a draw was the fair result. Although not the result we all had wanted.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Everton:

Kenny 5 , Geary 6, Morgan 7 (Alan Quinn 6 ), Davis 7 , Armstrong 7 , Kazim-Richards 6 , Fathi 6 , Jagielka 7 , Stephen Quinn 6 , Stead 6 (Nade 6 ), Hulse 7 .

16th Marc h Defender Alan Wright has joined Nottingham Forest on loan until the end of the season. The left-back, who has recently been on loan at Doncaster Rovers, goes into the squad to face Gillingham this weekend. Forest boss Colin Calderwood, who played with Wright at Aston Villa, commented "Alan will bring a lot of qualities to the group. "He has played most of his career at the highest level and also knows what is required to be part of promotion-winning squads." Wright, 35, had spells at Championship clubs Cardiff and Leeds earlier in the season.