 |
 |
 |
  |
|||
 |
 |
 |
|
|
26th April Sheffield United 2 Bristol City 1 (Attendance: 29,787) Kenny, Halls, Kilgallon, Ehiogu (Martin 25), Naysmith, Cotterill, Speed, Tonge, Quinn, Sharp, Beattie (Hulse 3), Martin (Geary 46). Booked: Cotterill 80. Scorers: Speed 29, 55 pen. Man of The Match: Gary Speed.
Bristol City Line-up: Basso, Orr, McCombe, Carey, McAllister, Noble, Elliott (Showunmi 76), Carle, McIndoe, Trundle, Adebola. Subs Not Used: Weale, Fontaine, Skuse, Sproule. Booked: McAllister 67. Scorer: McIndoe 25 pen.
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).
Sheffield United's slim chance of making the Championship play-offs are still alive as a Gary Speed brace sunk Bristol City 2-1 at the Lane in front of 29,787. United made just one change from the team that started against Hull with defender Ugo Ehiogu replacing suspended skipper Chris Morgan. Bristol City brought David Noble and Lee Trundle back into the starting eleven. In a lively opening to the game, Speed headed Michael Tonges’ corner wide of the goal and at the other end Jamie McCombe volleyed over from Trundle. The first event of the match was the substitution of James Beattie after just three minutes had past. The Blades leading goalscorer limped off with muscle strain sustained during the pre-match warm-up and was replaced by striker Rob Hulse. After 13 minutes, Hulse headed down for Tonge and the Blades midfielder with his back to goal just yards out could not get his shot away, and Robin’s goalkeeper Adriano Basso quickly blocked his attempt. It was end-to-end football, and it was the visitors who grabbed the lead after 24 minutes. Dele Adebola had been a threat early with his physical presence and managed to get the better of Ehiogu who pulled back the Robins striker as he entered the penalty area. Michael McIndoe despatched the resultant penalty kick with the Blades goalkeeper diving to his right and the Scottish midfielder firing straight down the centre of the goal. Unfortunately, Ehiogu pulled his calf as he had turned to chase Adebola into the penalty box, and was immediately withdrawn. Lee Martin was his replacement and went straight on to the left wing. Stephen Quinn moved into the centre of midfield and Gary Speed went back into a central defensive position. Just four minutes later, United were back on level terms. David Cotterill won a corner on the right and from Tonge's delivery Speed was gifted a free header from about 12 yards out and guided the ball into the net. Quinn fired over soon after with a volley which just cleared the crossbar, and Robin’s midfielder Nick Carle saw two shots blocked inside the Blades 18 yard box. And on the stroke of half-time fired a 20-yard effort which tested Kenny in the United goal. United’s injury worries continued and they came out at the start of the second half having made another change to the side. Derek Geary was on in place of Martin - who had sustained a damaged ankle ligaments. The change meant Speed moving back into the midfield and John Halls switching to the right side of the central defence and partnering Matt Kilgallon. Immediately United went on the offensive and Cotterill ran at the City defence before hitting a low shot which was parried behind by keeper Basso. Hulse sent the rebound over the crossbar. But United’s constant pressure was eventually rewarded when they went ahead on 55 minutes, and it was again from the penalty spot. McIndoe handled in the penalty and after the referee had consulted his linesman in front of the South Stand, he pointed to the spot. Speed stepped up in front of the Shoreham Kop to power the spot-kick beyond Basso, who had guessed the right way but could not stop the ball from hitting the back of the net. Interestingly, the goal brought the visitors to life and United were forced back for periods. The Robin’s thought they had found an equaliser when Trundle's cross was nodded in by McIndoe, but he was flagged offside. Australian Nick Carle had a header pushed away by Kenny, and then Bristol City substitute Enoch Showunmi heading just wide. Cotterill and Sharp had been drawn into earlier verbal exchanges with Bristol City left-back Jamie McAllister and it took an intervention form the referee to stop the situation taking a nasty turn. McAllister had been trying to provoke both the Blades players into a reaction, but to their credit they did not take the bait and McAllister was booked and warned. Late on, the visitors pegged United back in their own half looking for a leveller, and Trundles’ effort deflected off Geary and went just wide followed by McIndoe firing a long-range effort wide of the post. In injury time United almost made it three when after a quick counter-attack by Sharp found Cotterill but incredibly Basso made two saves to thwart the Blades winger. On the final whistle the Lane faithful gave the players and manager rapturous applause, and chants of ‘there’s only one Kevin Blackwell’ echoed around the ground in recognition of his outstanding achievement with the side since returning to the Lane.
Kenny 6, Halls 8, Geary 7, Kilgallon 7, Ehiogu 5, Naysmith 8, Speed 8, Martin 6, Cotterill 7, Tonge 7, Quinn 7, Sharp 7, Hulse 6, Beattie -.
19th April Sheffield United 2 Hull City 0 (Attendance: 28,188) Kenny, Halls, Kilgallon, Morgan, Naysmith, Cotterill (Ehiogu 46), Speed, Tonge, Quinn, Beattie, Sharp (Hulse 77). Sent Off: Morgan 45 (second yellow card). Booked: Morgan 25. Scorers: Quinn 51, Beattie 72 pen. Man of The Match: Gary Naysmith.
Hull Line-up: Myhill, Ricketts, Turner, Livermore (France 75), Dawson (Windass 64), Fagan (Pedersen 56), Ashbee, Marney, Hughes, Folan, Campbell. Booked: Livermore 14, Fagan 26, Windass 88.
Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).
Ten-man Sheffield United dealt Hull's automatic promotion hopes a potentially fatal blow as they won 2-0 at Bramall Lane. United made one change from the side which won at Burnley with right-back John Halls replacing Derek Geary who was suffering from a groin injury. There was one change to the Tigers side with David Livermore brought into the side in place of the injured Wayne Brown. Livermore joined Michael Turner in the centre of defence. Hull had the first chance of the game when Fraizer Campbell found himself in space 20 yards out, but with Dean Marney and Caleb Folan in space either side of him, Campbell decided to go for goal and Paddy Kenny easily saved. United's first real opening came after 17 minutes when Hull lost possession in midfield. Michael Tonge was allowed to run nearly 50 yards to the right edge of the box, before firing a 20-yard effort which fizzed just over the crossbar. The Blades had another chance shortly after following a short corner routine from Tonge and Quinn. Quinn crossed to the near post and James Beattie flicked just over. Chris Morgan was shown a yellow card for a foul on Fraizer Campbell on 25 minutes as Hull were awarded a free kick midway inside the opposition half and Tigers striker Craig Fagan got himself booked shortly for meddling in a confrontation between Quinn and Sam Ricketts. Dean Marney had a chance on 28 minutes when a Samuel Ricketts’ dangerous cross dropped to him about 13 yards out, but the Hull Midfielder sliced his volley off target. And five minutes before the break, David Cotterill crossed for Billy Sharp who was unmarked about six yards out, but the Blades striker misjudged his header and it went over the bar. United were awarded a free kick to the right corner of the Hull 18 yard box when Andy Dawson handballed. But Quinn's set-piece was easily claimed by Boaz Myhill in the visitor’s goal. But controversy struck in injury time when Campbell broke free of his markers and headed towards the penalty area in front of the Shoreham Kop and Morgan collided with the striker and he went down in a heap. In the confusion that followed, it appeared as though the referee had tried to play an advantage for Tigers after an earlier challenge, but after the advantage was lost he blew and was surrounded by a large posse of Hull players - led by the troublemaking Fagan. The referee then ran over to the linesman in front of the South Stand and the verdict was a second yellow card for Morgan. The Blades captain had already been booked earlier and clearly unhappy with decision, went angrily off the field of play. It left the Blades with ten players and the officials were booed off at the interval. United made a change at half time, bringing on defender Ugo Ehiogu in place of Cotterill who had not had one of his better days today. Just four minutes into the second half and Tonge beat Livermore to deliver a wonderful cross for Sharp, but Myhill turned away the Lane strikers’ close range header. After 51 minutes United grabbed the lead, Halls crossed the ball from the right hand side and Beattie’s downward header fell for Quinn to volley beyond the dive of Myhill from about 15 yards out. The Irishman midfielder reeled away in celebration towards the South Stand removing his shirt in celebration. The petty rules we have these days meant Quinn had to be booked for taking off his shirt to celebrate with the fans, but it was worth it. The Kop came to life and poked fun at the large ‘silent’ Hull following at the Bramall Lane end. Hull manager Phil Brown was obviously getting anxious, and responded by removing striker Fagan who had been operating on the right side and replacing him with Danish striker Henrik Pedersen. It meant Ryan Hughes would move into a more central role with Marney switching to the right wing and Pedersen playing down the left side. For all their chopping and changing of their formation, Hull were being made to look average and were offering nothing up front. Both Blades full-backs Gary Naysmith and Halls were on top form for United and Quinn had moved to a more attacking central role as United continued the pressure backed by fantastic support form the Lane faithful. The Blades domination continued and a goalmouth scramble almost resulted in them doubling their lead moments after the substitutions had been made, but Michael Turner managed to clear the danger for Hull. Hull’s second change came just after the hour mark and was more attacking. Defender Dawson was withdrawn and Dean Windass came on to boos from the Lane faithful - only a few misguided individuals gave the ex-United striker a hand. The change meant Hull switching from 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 formation. But it still did not make much difference to proceedings and United’s attacking instincts were rewarded when they were awarded a penalty on 72 minutes. Beattie flicked the ball into the box and Livermore brought Sharp down and the referee pointed straight to the spot. Interestingly enough, Livermore was not booked. A second yellow card would have meant him being dismissed. Leading scorer Beattie stepped up and powerfully blasted the ball past Myhill to make it 2-0. Chants of ‘premiership we’re having a laugh’, ‘beattieee’ and ‘we’ve only got ten men’ rang around the Lane. The Hull fans could only watch as their side were being taken apart.Brown shuffled his pack again, this time bringing on Ryan France in place of Livermore as the Tigers changed to a 3-4-3 formation! Marney wasted a another chance after being set up by Windass, the midfielder firing wide from about 12 yards out, and Hughes had a shot deflected just wide three minutes later. Inevitably, Windass was booked on 87 minutes for dissent. Late-on, a Windass free-kick was pushed out for a corner by Kenny and Hughes had a long rage effort which went wide of target as United protected their lead. There was a big cheer on the final whistle and United are now up to 8th in the Championship. It had been another superb performance from Kevin Blackwell and the Blades players.
Kenny 7, Halls 7, Kilgallon 7, Morgan 5, Naysmith 8, Cotterill 6, Ehiogu 7, Speed 7, Tonge 8, Quinn 7, Beattie 8, Sharp 7, Hulse 6.
19th April James Beattie was hailed by boss Kevin Blackwell after netting again in the 2-0 win over Hull at the Lane. Beattie scored his 22nd goal of the season from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute after Stephen Quinn had opened the scoring with a classy volley six minutes after the break. The two second-half goals came after United were reduced to ten men in first-half injury time when captain Chris Morgan was sent off for a second bookable offence. Praising Beattie, Blackwell said: "His work rate up and down that right-hand side was brilliant. People question his work rate but he's doing something right because his work rate for the team has been absolutely phenomenal. "He won everything in the air and he looked very calm and assured with the ball and he looked a total threat. And, of course, he got another goal. "I'm delighted for him. It's great working with players of real quality who want to work. And I have to say it's a pleasure working with James Beattie." Despite going down to ten men, Blackwell revealed his side still believed they could win. He said: "I think there is such belief amongst the players. The confidence is just exuding out of the players and I said at half-time it doesn't matter if we go down to nine men I think we can win the game. And they believed it as well. It's all right saying it, but they've got to believe that it's going to happen." The win means the Blades are five points off the play-off zone with two games to play, but Blackwell still retains hope for a play-off place. He said: "I think the lads have done terrifically to keep this season alive. And, believe you me, we're still in there. "You look at the way the players are playing at the moment, why should we doubt that we have the ability to do it?"
12th April Burnley 1 Sheffield United 2 (Attendance: 11,693) Kenny, Geary, Kilgallon, Morgan, Naysmith, Cotterill (Ehiogu 90), Tonge, Speed, Quinn, Beattie (Gillespie 77), Sharp (Hulse 66). Subs Not Used: Stead, Halls. Booked: Hulse 79. Scorers: Beattie 33, Sharp 53. Man of The Match: David Cotterill.
Burnley Line-up: Jensen, Alexander, Caldwell, Unsworth, Jordan, Elliott, James O'Connor (Gudjonsson 61), McCann, Lafferty, Blake (Akinbiyi 61), Cole. Booked: Unsworth 32. Scorer: Cole 80.
Referee: Mike Russell (Hertfordshire).
James Beattie scored his 21st goal of the season with a superbly struck free-kick to help Sheffield United to a 2-1 victory at Turf Moor. United were unchanged from the midweek draw against Wednesday. Burnley made several changes to their starting line-up with Andrew Cole getting a starting role and Joey Gudjonsson dropping to the bench. Defender Stephen Jordan replaced the injured Jon Harley. The Blades enjoyed the best of the early possession, and after nine minutes Michael Tonge crossed and Beattie had a header tipped over by Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen. Then, Matt Kilgallon blocked a cross from Chris McCann for Cole in the Blades 18 yard box and then stopped a long range effort from Kyle Lafferty. After 16 minutes, Burnley midfielder McCann had a strike from 25 yards comfortably saved by Paddy Kenny in the United goal. Stephen Quinn went close for the Blades after 30 minutes when he curled a shot just wide of Jensen's far post. But after 33 minutes the Blades grabbed the lead. It came about after a bad challenge by David Unsworth on Cotterill, and the former Lane defender was booked. From the resulting free-kick from about 30 yards out, Gary Speed and Tonge stood in front of the ball before breaking away and allowing Beattie to launch an unstoppable strike which beat Jensen and nestled in the top left hand corner to give the Blades the opening goal. Lafferty then thought he had equalised within seconds, but Kenny somehow managed to stick out an arm and leg to clear off the line, after a cross from Cole. Clarets midfield man James O'Connor shot just over the bar seven minutes before the break as Burnley tried to find a way back, and Unsworth went close with a header from a corner followed by Robbie Blake volleying wide. Burnley started the second half on the front foot, and Blake had a good chance to pull his side level on 50 minutes but his attempt was well saved by Kenny. Lafferty's left foot effort just a minute later was well blocked by Gary Naysmith and Kilgallon after a cross from Stephen Jordan. But after 53 minutes United made it 2-0. Cotterill raced down the right flank and in front of the following Blades faithful he beat Jordan and delivered a super cross for Sharp. The Blades striker quickly lost his marker McCann and headed past the Burnley keeper from about seven yards out. Chances for either side became few and far between, with both midfields seeing plenty of the ball as we reached the hour mark, and after 66 minutes had pasted, Sharp was replaced by Rob Hulse. Eight minutes later, Tonge sent in a corner and Beattie headed just over and just after, the Blades leading scorer was substituted by Keith Gillespie. The Clarets enjoyed plenty of possession late-on as United defended their lead. And a goal nine minutes from time gave the home side some hope. A through ball down the middle from substitute Gudjonsson found Cole and the former Manchester United striker beat off a challenge from Kilgallon, and fired past Kenny into the left corner. Two minutes later, Cole managed elude the attention of Chris Morgan and Kilgallon fired at Kenny who made a fine reflex save and in the dying moments, Ehiogu was brought on to protect the lead with Cotterill being withdraw for the Blades defender. There were cheers on the final whistle after another superb performance from Kevin Blackwell’s men. United now need to win all their remaining games and hope that some of the teams above slip up.
Kenny 8, Geary 6, Kilgallon 7, Morgan 6, Naysmith 7, Cotterill 8, Tonge 7, Speed 6, Quinn 6, Beattie 8, Gillespie 6, Sharp 7, Hulse 6, Ehiogu -
12th April Kevin Blackwell vowed to keep James Beattie at Bramall Lane after his goal at Burnley keep the slender play-off hopes alive. The former England striker claimed his 21st goal of the season with a brilliant 33rd-minute free-kick and lifelong Blades fan Billy Sharp headed home a second eight minutes after the restart. Blackwell is hopeful the former England International player will stay and commented: "Goalscorers are at a premium but the good thing is that we dictate whether he stays or goes," "That's the good thing and we've got a lad who has scored 21 goals. "We'll see what happens in the summer but I'm hopeful that we'll be in a position to keep him." "The one in the Sheffield derby was a world-class strike but that was absolutely unbelievable," said Blackwell. "To do it again, it was almost as if someone was replaying the game from Tuesday night. "It was technique of the highest quality, and if Cristiano Ronaldo or whoever else around the world had scored it, then it would have been shown over and over again."
8th April Kevin Blackwell has not given up on the play-offs after James Beattie's free-kick secured Sheffield United a point against Sheffield Wednesday. Blades' leading scorer Beattie thumped home his 20th goal of the season with a curling 30-yard free-kick in the 85th minute to deny Sheffield Wednesday a rare league double over their arch-rivals and Blades coach Blackwell insisted the point just about keeps their play-off hopes alive. Adam Bolder's unlikely double - his first goals for the Owls on loan from Derby - either side of half-time had given Wednesday a two-goal cushion early in the second period of a pulsating encounter. But the visitors were clinging on to a slender lead after Richard Wood's own goal handed the Blades a deserved lifeline before Beattie's brilliance denied the Owls their first league double over their arch rivals since 1914. Blackwell said: "We had to try and win every game we've got left. I felt there was one draw, but we had to win the rest and that's the draw - we've got to win the rest now. "If we don't win the rest that will be it." Blackwell hailed Beattie's equaliser as "world class", but admitted it felt like two points lost despite his side's two-goal fightback. He said: "It was two points tossed away being brutally honest, but you've got to say from being 2-0 down it's a point gained. "It was a fantastic game, I felt we dominated all the early stages, their goal came against the run of play and it gave them confidence. "We came out for the second half and thoroughly dominated again and concede another sloppy goal. "But you've got to give the lads credit for coming back. Lee Grant made three or four great saves that have kept them in it really." Blackwell added: "Beattie's goal was world class. There's no doubt about that and the lads are all saying in there it was an inch inside the crossbar and post. "That's something he practices in training and thank God it came off tonight."
8th April Sheffield United 2 Sheffield Wednesday 2 (Attendance: 31,760) Kenny, Naysmith, Morgan, Kilgallon, Geary, Cotterill, Speed, Tonge, Quinn (Stead 62), Sharp, Beattie. Booked: Morgan 79. Scorers: Wood 62 (og), Beattie 85. Man of The Match: David Cotterill.
Sheffield Wednesday Line-up: Grant, Beevers, Wood, Watson, Spurr, Kavanagh (O'Brien 58), Johnson, Bolder, Songo'o (Hinds 85), Sahar (Slusarski 67), Burton. Booked: Kavanagh 28, Songo'o 71, O'Brien 84. Scorers: Bolder 39, 56.
Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent).
James Beattie denied Sheffield Wednesday a rare double over Sheffield United with a stunning late free-kick in a classic Steel City derby. The Owls appeared set for their first league double over the Blades in 94 years after Adam Bolder's unlikely double in a thrilling Championship clash. But with the 31,760 Bramall Lane crowd already on its feet after Richard Wood's own goal threw United a deserved lifeline, Beattie thundered home a curling free-kick from 30 yards in the 85th minute to condemn Brian Laws relegation strugglers to a sixth successive draw. The point gained for the Blades has all but ended their play-off hopes, but on this evidence manager Kevin Blackwell has plenty to work with next season. Blackwell recalled Chris Morgan to the heart of the defence and Derek Geary returned to his right-back position. Paddy Kenny was also back in goal at the expense of Ian Bennett. Brain Laws made one change to the side which gained a point at Scunthorpe last weekend, Mark Beevers returning to the centre of the Owls defence in place of the injured Peter Gilbert. Everyone inside the Lane were united in a minute's applause for Derek Dooley, whilst a spontaneous chorus of 'There's only one Derek Dooley' was sang by the Shoreham Kop. It was a cracking atmosphere inside Bramall Lane and within a minute of the kick-off the Blades threatened first. Billy Sharp and Beattie tested Owls goalkeeper Lee Grant with early efforts. David Cotterill began to cause problems for Tommy Spurr down the right flank sending over several crosses which the Blades attack failed to capitalise on. After 15 minutes, Michael Tonge tested Grant with a set-piece and the Owls keeper was busy again saving from Tonge after Franck Songo'o conceded a free kick 20 yards out. Gary Speed was next on target for the Blades and Beattie's header was blocked by Richard Wood before Wednesday responded through Jermaine Johnson on the right flank, whose 20-yard drive on the run was held by Kenny. But out of nowhere Wednesday snatched an unlikely lead. Steve Watson broke free down the right of the penalty area and shaped to shoot but instead played the ball to the on-rushing figure of Bolder, who headed firmly past Kenny. Tonge then grazed the bar with a long-range effort as the Blades looked to get back on terms, but Kenny then had to pull off a flying one handed save to deny Songo'o who had cut in form the left flank. Within seconds of the restart Stephen Quinn could have levelled from 16 yards out, but he volleyed straight at Grant and soon after Beattie thumped a header over from Tonge's cross. After 53 minutes had passed, the Owls stunned most of Bramall Lane for a second time. Songo'o jinked on the edge of the box and when his venomous low shot was parried by Kenny it was Bolder who raced in to bundle the ball home from inside the six yard box off his thigh. Burton O'Brien replaced injured Owls midfielder Graham Kavanagh in the 58th minute. United threw players forward and created a siege around the Wednesday box with Cotterill running Spurr ragged on the right, and after 62 minutes the Blades were back in the match. Beattie lashed in a shot from 15 yards that Grant did well to parry but the loose ball deflected off Wood and into the goal in front of the Kop. Jon Stead replaced Blades midfielder Quinn almost immediately and the Owls Polish striker Bartosz Slusarski was sent on for the ineffective Ben Sahar. The introduction of Stead meant United switched from a 4-4-2 to a more attacking 4-3-3 formation with Stead on the left flank. Grant then pulled off a double save to keep the Owls in front, first denying Stead and then a Beattie header as the game had the full house crowd on the edge of their seats. With the clock ticking down and the United supporters creating a defening noise, Wednesday were desperately clinging on to their advantage. Beattie finally broke their resistance with a free-kick on the right of the Owls 18 yard box. Owls substitute O'Brien felled Speed 30 yards from goal and Beeatie teed up and then fired an unstoppable shot beyond Grant into the top left of the net to send Unitedites into delirious celebration. Wednesday looked to be clinging on to the point and managed to keep the ball in the Blades half in the dying seconds of the match. At the end, the fans of both sides gave both sets of players applause after an entertaining encounter. And although United shaded the possesion throughout the match, overall a draw was the fair result.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Sheffield Wednesday: Kenny 8, Naysmith 6, Morgan 6, Kilgallon 7, Geary 7, Cotterill 8, Speed 7, Tonge 7, Quinn 6, Stead 6, Sharp 6, Beattie 7.
5th April The Blades 3-0 victory over Leicester keeps the faint play-off hopes alive. Assistant manager Sam Ellis was thrilled with the way United performed in the game, and was impressed with their attitude in the second half when the game was all but won. "It was a good start which we were delighted with - we went forward, created chances and all in all gave a very good performance," he said. "All three goals came from set-pieces, which was satisfying. We were pleased with the attitude of the players as well. "It was important that we kept our heads because we got caught on the break twice. "There could have been a problem if we had been sloppy in the second half, but the players were very professional."
5th April Sheffield United 3 Leicester City 0 (Attendance: 24,818) Bennett, Naysmith, Halls, Ehiogu, Kilgallon, Cotterill (Gillespie 86), Speed, Tonge (Law 89), Quinn, Beattie (Stead 67), Sharp. Booked: Halls 60. Scorer: Beattie 12, 14, 19. Man of The Match: James Beattie.
Leicester Line-up: Henderson, Kisnorbo, N'Gotty, McAuley (Worley 74), Stearman (James Chambers 64), Mattock, Bell, Wesolowski, Oakley (King 63), Fryatt, Howard. Sent Off: Kisnorbo 10 (straight red card). Booked: Stearman 21.
Referee: Mike Pike (Cumbria).
James Beattie's awesome seven-minute hat-trick condemned a 10-man Leicester City to a 3-0 thumping at Bramall Lane. There were several changes to the Blades side from last weekend. Defender Ugo Ehiogu came into the side in place of the suspended Chris Morgan. Ian Bennett replaced Paddy Kenny in goal and Stephen Quinn returned to the starting line-up. Nicky Laws was also included on the bench. Leicester were without DJ Campbell who was injured, and defender Bruno N’Gotty returned to the side. Lee Hendrie who scored last week for the Foxes was ineligible for this match. The two teams emerged from the tunnel and were met by a short lived heavy downpour as the match kicked off. After a nervy start from both sides, Quinn headed wide on six minutes, before a last ditch tackle from Gary Naysmith a minute later denied Matt Fryatt on the edge of the Blades box. Only 11 minutes had passed when the incident which changed the course of the match occurred. Billy Sharp chasing onto a flick-on went down in the Leicester 18 yard box pursued last man Patrick Kisnorbo. It was instantly apparent that there was no contact between Kisnorbo and Sharp, and the Blades striker had just thrown himself to the ground. But the linesman in front of the John Street stand indicated a penalty. The referee went across to confirm with his assistant before pointing to the spot. To make matters worse for Leicester, the Australian defender was dismissed for what was deemed a professional foul. Beattie stepped up and saw his initial penalty parried on to the right-hand post by Foxes goalkeeper Paul Henderson, but the Blades striker was first to react and smashed home the rebound from close range for the opening goal. Leicester’s big defenders were certainly throwing their weight around and Richard Stearman was next to pay the price when he fouled Sharp 25 yards from goal. Beattie stepped up and fired a powerful free-kick which an unsighted Henderson failed to stop as the ball went in between him and his near post for United’s second goal. The Foxes attempted to hit back with Steve Howard coming close with his head from a David Bell corner. But the Blades were not finished and broke quickly with David Cotterill storming down the right flank and the ball deflecting off Leicester midfielder Oakley for a corner. Michel Tonge delivered from in front of the visiting fans at the Bramall Lane end, and Beattie completed his hat-trick, heading home unmarked from six yards out. The game was over at the point and with everyone thinking more goals were to follow the visitors resolved to contain United for the rest of the afternoon. Indeed, the best the visitors could muster were long range efforts and James Wesolowski tried his luck from 20-yards but saw his effort blocked by Ehiogu. Five minutes before the break, Stearman was forced to head over his own bar after Cotterill had swung in a teasing cross from the right for Sharp. Howard on the right flank was probably the most threatening of the Leicester players and he saw his speculative low drive go a yard wide after 43 minutes. Bennett then saved just before the interval from Oakley's left-footed drive, before Henderson raced off his line to deny Sharp in first-half stoppage time. At the start of the second half, Howard had a quick fire shot saved by Bennett and at the other end, Quinn shot wide on 51 minutes before Joe Mattock was fortunate to get away with a late tackle on Cotterill inside the penalty area. The tackle was a clear penalty to most on the Kop but not the referee who now appeared to be giving Leicester the sympathy vote. After 55 minutes had pasted, Beattie volleyed over from Gary Naysmith’s cross and minutes later at the other end, David Bell tested Bennett. John Halls was booked for a foul on David Bell on the hour mark and from the resulting free-kick Howard headed over. Leicester made a double change on 63 minutes with Andy King and James Chambers replacing Oakley and Stearman. Fryatt squandered a good chance in the 65th minute when, after a quick break forward by Bell, the midfielder saw his shot saved by the advancing Bennett before putting the rebound over the bar. United made their first substitution after 66 minutes when Beattie was given a standing ovation for his outstanding contribution, and he made way for Jon Stead. There was chaos in the Leicester defence as United continued to pile forward with Cotterill causing all sorts of problems for the visitors down the right flank. Leicester brought another defender on after 73 minutes, Harry Worley replacing Gareth McAuley. But United were still pushing for a fourth goal and Cotterill's low cross caused more mayhem in the Leicester six yard box before Henderson saved, and then Quinn headed wide from Halls right-wing cross after 81 minutes. Late on, a last gasp block from Chambers stopped Stead’s shot. Cotterill was substituted after 87 minutes and was replaced by Keith Gillespie and a minute later, Laws replaced Tonge. The match ended in sunshine and the players were given a standing ovation as they left the field of play. Bennett 6, Naysmith 6, Halls 6, Ehiogu 8, Kilgallon 6, Cotterill 8, Speed 7, Tonge 6, Quinn 6, Beattie 9, Stead 6, Sharp 6, Gillespie -, Law -. |
 |
© 1999 The Red and White Wizards - All rights reserved. |