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27th August Huddersfield Town 1 Sheffield United 2 (Attendance: 8,611) Bennett, Geary (Sharp 80), Morgan, Kilgallon, Sun, Carney (Naughton 69), Tonge, Spring, Cotterill, Henderson, Stead (Webber 46). Booked: Henderson 25, Sun 90. Scorers: Henderson 82, Naughton 83. Man of The Match:
Huddersfield Line-up: Glennon, Holdsworth, Lucketti, Nathan Clarke, Williams (Kamara 88), Roberts, Flynn, Worthington (Jevons 85), Cadamarteri, Beckett (Goodwin 77), Parker. Scorer: Flynn 34.
Referee: Nigel Miller (Durham).
United survived a huge scare and reach the third round of the League Cup after a 2-1 win at Huddersfield. The Terriers looked to be heading for a victory after Mike Flynn opened his account in the 34th minute. Nathan Clarke and the lively Gary Roberts wasted opportunities to make the result safe as the Blades looked set to pay for fielding a weakened side. But the Blades produced a late smash-and-grab raid as Darius Henderson and substitute Kyle Naughton struck in the 82nd and 83rd minutes to aviod an embarrassing defeat and take Kevin Blackwell's men through. The Lane boss opted to ring the changes, with just four players who featured at Blackpool on Saturday retaining their places in the starting line-up. That meant a recall for striker Jon Stead against the club where he began his career. Huddersfield manager Stan Ternent gave a first start of the season to Keigan Parker in one of four changes. The home side made a bright start and were first to threaten with a Roberts free-kick from the right which just evaded the head of Luke Beckett. The same duo combined again to almost put Beckett through on goal but Blades keeper Ian Bennett raced off his line to avert the danger. The Terriers missed a glorious chance to open the scoring in the 19th minute when United failed to clear a corner and Chris Lucketti picked out the unmarked Clarke just seven yards out but his header flashed narrowly wide. Henderson received the first yellow card of the night for a clumsy challenge on Jon Worthington and Lucketti hit a fierce volley wide from the resulting free-kick. David Carney had the Blades first real chance of the evening after 25 minutes, when he turned sharply on the edge of the area and fired a left-foot shot narrowly wide of the far post. The deadlock was broken when the ball fell to Flynn 25 yards out and his left-foot drive took a slight deflection to leave Bennett with no chance. The goal briefly sparked United into life but Huddersfield keeper Matt Glennon was barely tested before the interval. The Blades had been poor in the first half resorting to the long ball, and changes had to be made. Blackwell made that change at the break, with Stead's return to the side proving shortlived as he was replaced by Danny Webber. Roberts almost doubled the lead early in the second half when a neat one-two left him in space and his shot from a narrow angle forced a fingertip save from Bennett as the ball flew wide of the far post. Good work from Parker on the right set up Huddersfield's next chance and his cross from the right found Beckett but he failed to hit the target. United continued to waste possession as they struggled to find a way back into the game and Clarke again headed wide from a Roberts cross as Huddersfield pressed for a second. It was little surprise when Blackwell threw on a second substitute after 69 minutes, with Naughton replacing Carney. Parker's surging run and well-struck shot warmed the palms of Bennett before, at the other end, Matthew Kilgallon found himself in space but opted to shoot and failed to keep his effort down when a cross looked a better option. Goodwin came on for Beckett in Huddersfield's first change of the night, and Blackwell's last throw of the dice saw Billy Sharp come on for Derek Geary. Just two minutes later the Blades were level when Sun Jihai found Henderson and he fired a right-foot shot which beat Glennon's despairing dive. The home fans were then left stunned as Naughton, from a similar position, also beat Glennon via a deflection. Huddersfield sent on Phil Jevons for Worthington and Sun picked up an injury-time booking before Roberts had a last-gasp attempt forced wide.
23rd August Blackpool 1 Sheffield United 3 (Attendance: 8,611) Kenny, Sun (Geary 90), Ehiogu, Kilgallon, Naysmith, Halford (Spring 80), Tonge, Speed, Quinn, Sharp (Webber 80), Henderson. Booked: Henderson 42. Scorers: Quinn 21, Speed 57 (pen), Halford 78. Man of The Match: Gary Speed.
Blackpool Line-up: Rachubka, Barker, Edwards, Evatt, Camara (Coid 86), Taylor-Fletcher (Fox 90), Wright (Vaughan 64), Jorgensen, Hammill, Kabba, Burgess. Booked: Hammill 70. Scorer: Kabba 74.
Referee: Scott Mathieson (Cheshire).
The Blades continued to impress with a 3-1 win against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road. A first-half strike from Stephen Quinn and second-half goals from Gary Speed and Greg Halford gave United the three points. Kevin Blackwell made one enforced change to the side which beat Q.P.R. last weekend with Ugo Ehiogu returning to central defence in place of the injured Chris Morgan. The Seasiders recalled the fit again Shaun Barker for the game, with Steven Kabba and making his competitive debut for the home side. Inside three minutes United could have taken an early lead. A ball to the back-post by Billy Sharp was met by the head of Darius Henderson, forcing goalkeeper Paul Rachubka into pushing the ball away for a corner. After nine minutes, Blackpool had their first chance when Kabba managed to flick the ball over the head of Matt Kilgallon and force a fine stop from Paddy Kenny in the Blades goal. Then Blackpool winger Adam Hamill quickly turned past Quinn, and his cross was met by Ben Burgess who headed across goal. Blackpool looked lively early on with some intricate passing but without really testing United’s defence, and were pegged back after 20 minutes when the Blades went ahead. Sharp on the right picked up a deflected pass from Henderson and he squared the ball for Quinn whose left footed effort went into the bottom right-hand corner of the goal and sent the travelling faithful into celebration. Blackpool tried to hit back when Hammill slipped past the challenge of Gary Naysmith on the right but could only fire straight at Kenny, and the lively Hammill had a 20-yard free-kick saved by Kenny moments later. At the half-time whistle United would have been well satisfied with a workmanlike display. Blackpool had showed some neat touches but their distribution was lacking in the final third, although the on-loan Hammill had looked dangerous on the wing for the home side. United were the first to threaten the goal in the second half when Halford forced another stop from keeper Rachubka. After 55 minutes United increased their lead. Ehiogu was present again for another United corner, and was clearly dragged back by Blackpool defender Shaun Barker, the referee pointed to the spot and Speed blasted the ball past Rachubka to make it 2-0 for the Blades. United started to take control of the game and slowed the pace down with some neat passing, and Quinn forced Rachubka to tip a cross-shot over the bar. The Seasiders decided to make a change after 64 minutes, with David Vaughan replacing Simon Grayson, and Vaughan joining Claus Jorgensen in the centre of the Blackpool midfield. Blackpool got themselves a goal back after 74 minutes, a cross by Mo Camara was headed down to Kabba on the edge of the area and he dispatched the ball into the top corner leaving Kenny with no chance. The Blades immediately tried to hit back when Sharp saw his effort flash just over the crossbar. But the home fans started to get behind their team and for a little ground they made some noise, and moments later the Seasiders nearly found an equaliser. A corner went straight across the Blades goalmouth and amongst the bedlam Ben Burgess saw his diving header bounce back off the post. Instantly United killed the game off and quietened the home fans when from a Michael Tonge corner, it was Halford who popped up at the back post, and he fired the ball home to restore a two goal cushion for the Blades. There were late substitutions from both sides with Danny Webber replacing Sharp, Matthew Spring coming on for Halford and Derek Geary on for Sun Jihai for United. Late on, David Fox and Rob Edwards came close for Blackpool, and Webber had a fiercely hit shot saved by Rachubka.
16th August Billy Sharp, a boyhood Blades s fan netted only four times last season after his switch from Scunthorpe. But he has started this season in rampant form and has made light of James Beattie's absence through injury. While it would be easy to point fingers at QPR's sorry rearguard display, it was Sharp's confidence and willingness to get in behind that saw him carry home the match ball. His first was a close-range header after just two minutes and he followed that up with a cool finish after making a swashbuckling burst from the halfway line. Sharp netted his third six minutes after the break from close range to seal a thoroughly deserved win. Sharp's form has been in the ascendancy since Blackwell took over the reins towards the back end of last season. And the manager believes the confidence he has shown in the 22-year-old is responsible for his rejuvenated form. "If he keeps scoring like that then I would have paid £10million for him and I think I would have been right to do that," he said. "Billy didn't get a run in the team and sometimes it takes time to step up a division and establish yourself and understand how defenders are better. "He's got to start learning how things are different. "Billy can, like all youngsters, get a bit carried away. He does want to learn and he wants to be successful for Sheffield United, but he's got to learn how to handle that. "You need to put a smile on people's faces - even through gritted teeth."
16th August Sheffield United 3 Queens Park Rangers 0 (Attendance: 25,273) Kenny, Halford (Cotterill 66), Naysmith, Morgan (Ehiogu 34), Kilgallon, Sun, Speed, Tonge, Quinn, Sharp (Webber 83), Henderson. Booked: Halford 19. Scorer: Sharp 3, 13, 51. Man of The Match: Billy Sharp.
Q.P.R. Line-up: Cerny, Delaney, Hall, Gorkss, Connolly, Leigertwood, Parejo, Cook (Alberti 80), Ledesma, Balanta (Di Carmine 46), Blackstock. Booked: Delaney 19. Referee: Graham Laws (Tyne & Wear).
A Billy Sharp hat-trick gave United a superb start to their first home match of the season. United literally ran rings round big money Q.P.R. in a fantastic team performance. The Blades reverted back to the squad that opened the season at Birmingham last weekend. Rangers recalled Fitz Hall to the starting line-up and Matthew Connolly retained the right back position. United took control straight from the kick-off and Darius Henderson made an instant impact on the game as his flick on from Greg Halford’s long throw found fellow striker Sharp, who dived to head home after two minutes. The Blades continued to press forward and Halford's volley was blocked by Daniel Parejo moments later. Then, Gary Speed robbed Mikele Leigertwood in midfield and clipped a exquisitely lofted through ball for Sharp on the right to race onto, and he coolly slot beyond Rangers goalkeeper Radek Cerny for his second goal. United almost made it three moments later when Sun crossed from the right for Henderson, who could only head into Cerny's hands. Chris Morgan was substituted after receiving a head injury after in an accidental clash in front of the Shoreham Kop. Ugo Ehiogu was Morgan’s replacement. Rangers had been completely outplayed in the opening half hour and it was not until the 35th minute that they finally record their first shot as Leigertwood slipped past Speed and blasted a log range shot high and wide. The R's put together a move another move when Dexter Blackstock found Emmanuel Ledesma, but he was stopped by Sun with a superb last ditch tackle. Moments later, Sharp went close again after Stephen Quinn got the better of Connolly. Michael Tonge nearly extended the Blades lead minutes before half time. Sun crossed and Tonge’s effort hit Sharp and then he was denied again by a superb full stretch save from the recovering Cerny. On the half-time whistle United left the field to a standing ovation. The second half began with striker Samuel Di Carmine replacing midfielder Angelo Balanta for the visitors. Obviously Q.P.R were looking to get a goal back early on, but United just picked up were they had finished the first half with two corners in front of the Kop. The second corner led to Sharps hat-trick. The Blades 'sharpshooter' waited on the goal-line for the corner heavily marked by Connelly. Tonge delivered from the left, and Ehiogu created problems for the defenders and Cerny fumbled the ball, Sharp was two yards out and poked the ball over the line and then reeled away to celebrate, kissing his badge in front of the Kop. The Shoreham Kop was in full voice now as songs rang around Bramall Lane and poking fun at their millionaire counterparts. Rangers players were getting frustrated especially their two playmakers Ledesma and Parejo who were getting a taste of English football at its best and most frantic, with Quinn, Tonge and Speed all dominating in midfield. Ian Dowies' men had a rare chance when Lee Cook crossed from the left and Blackstock rose highest but could only send his header over. The visitors must have realised it was just not going to be their day after 64 minutes, when a one-two involving Ledesma and Di Carmine resulted in the former curling a shot which come back off the post. Rangers threatened again as Connolly crossed from the right and Blackstock his shot was saved by but Paddy Kenny’s feet and from the resultant corner taken by Ledesma, Hall looped a header onto the top of the net. And Parejo's 25 yard free-kick beat everyone except Kenny, who scrambled across his goal to save well. Then, Cook had long range strike which was comfortably saved by the Blades goalkeeper. Minutes later, Parejo tried his luck again with a free-kick, but again Kenny was up to it as he punched away the curling effort. Cotterill was introduced late on and he caused problems on the right and when Kenny threw the ball downfield for the Blades winger, and he easily beat his maker and his crossed for Quinn, but his shot was straight at Cerny from about eight yards out. Sharp received a standing ovation when he was replaced by Danny Webber seven minutes from time. In the final minutes Webber shot across goal after good work from Quinn. The fans celebrated on the final whistle after easliy the best home display for a while and, against one of the promotion favourites. United looked a class act today and long may it continue.
14th August Manager Kevin Blackwell urged Lee Hendrie to use his standout League Cup performance against Port Vale to reignite his career. the midfielder produced a performance that fully warranted the standing ovation given to him from the fans after scoring a delightful first-half goal and terrorising the Port Vale defence throughout the Blades 3-1 triumph at the Lane. And, after a brief spell on loan at Leicester last season, Blackwell admits seeing Hendrie in such potent form is akin to making a new signing. "I'm delighted for Lee because before I came his last game against Scunthorpe the crowd turned on him - which was a large part of the reason I let him go to Leicester," Blackwell said. "But he's come back, worked his socks off and to get a standing ovation goes someway towards his full rehabilitation. But what I'm excited about is that I've got a brand new player. "His goal was typical Lee Hendrie - back to the old days. When it fell to him he still had a lot of work to do but he finished it in style. "I think Lee has got to wake up to the natural, God-given talent he's got and maybe he has to work that little bit harder to keep that consistency. Everyone knows he is capable of it and after tonight, he can be very proud of himself."
13th August Sheffield United 3 Port Vale 1 (Attendance: 7,694) Bennett, Kilgallon, Ehiogu, Armstrong, Geary, Cotterill, Hendrie (Naughton 84), Spring, Quinn, Henderson, Webber. Booked: Geary 65. Scorers: Hendrie 41, Quinn 71, Webber 90 (pen). Man of The Match: Lee Hendrie.
Port Vale Line-up: Anyon, Stockley, McCombe, Slater (Tudor 74), Collins, Taylor (Rodgers 46), Griffith, Dodds (Richman 81), Davidson, Richards, Perry. Subs Not Used: Prosser, Martin, Glover, Lawrie. Booked: Stockley 90. Scorer: Rodgers 53.
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).
United survived a nervous meeting with Port Vale to progress to the second round of the League Cup. The Blades took the lead as Lee Hendrie finished off a flowing counter attack with a cool finish three minutes before half time but the Valiant’s were level as Luke Rodgers slid home a rare Vale attack seven minutes after the re-start. But it was midfielder Stephen Quinn who spared United's blushes as he smashed home a thunderous volley from the edge of the area with 20 minutes remaining before Danny Webber put the result beyond doubt from the penalty spot in the 90th minute. Matthew Spring made his debut of the Blades as manager Kevin Blackwell made eight changes from the side which started at Birmingham City. Matt Kilgallon, Darius Henderson and Stephen Quinn were the only survivors from the defeat at St Andrews. Valiant’s manager Lee Sinnott named an unchanged starting eleven from the side which beat Luton Town at the weekend. The Blades who could have gone in front on 14 minutes when Quinn reacted quickly to a poor clearance, shooting narrowly wide of goalkeeper Joe Anyon's left hand post. A resilient Valiant’s side registered their intent early as midfield pairing Anthony Griffith and Ross Davidson's stern early challenges provided the only highlights of a dour opening period. But it was an exquisite breakaway goal by the Blades which finally broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute. Webber displayed an explosive turn of pace before feeding David Cotterill on the right who delivered a pin-point cross to the feet of Spring who instantly laid the ball off for Hendrie to clip home a curling shot into the top-right corner from the edge of the area. Vale made their first change at the commencement of the second half when Luke Rodgers was introduced up front to partner Marc Richards, and Kyle Perry moving to the left of midfield to fill the space vacated by Rob Taylor. Lee Sinnott's League Two side showed little attacking ambition but found themselves level seven minutes into the second half, Rodgers chested the ball down to Richards, who swept the ball out to Louis Dodds on the right and when his low cross came in, Ugo Ehiogu turned the ball towards goal and Rodgers stabbed the ball over the line. But the Blades once again proved their Championship calibre as they reclaimed the lead in spectacular fashion in the 71st minute. Cotterill's looping ball on the edge of the area was half cleared by the head of defender John McCombe, but Quinn was quick to react, smashing a superb shot first time right-footed volley past Anyon from the edge of the box. The Blades almost added a third goal when the Cotterill took advantage of a slip by McCombe and advanced several yards before unleashing a ferocious shot which Anyon pushed onto the crossbar. Vale refused to give up hope of forcing extra time as substitute Shane Tudor touched the ball back to Richards who powered a shot towards goal, but was denied by the fingertips of Ian Bennett in the United goal. Six minutes from time, Hendrie was withdrawn to a standing ovation and replaced by Kyle Naughton. But in the final minute, Cotterill was fouled in the penalty area Vale defender Sam Stockley, and Webber sent Anyon the wrong way from the spot to send United into round two.
9th August Birmingham City 1 Sheffield United 0 (Attendance: 24,019) Kenny, Sun, Morgan, Kilgallon, Naysmith, Halford, Tonge, Speed, Quinn, Henderson (Stead 82), Sharp (Webber 61). Booked: Stead 83. Man of The Match: Matt Kilgallon.
Birmingham Line-up: Maik Taylor, Parnaby, Martin Taylor, Ridgewell, Murphy, Larsson (Jerome 82), Carsley, Nafti, McSheffrey (Phillips 65), McFadden, Bent (O'Connor 73). Booked: Parnaby 45, Carsley 77. Scorer: Phillips 90+2.
Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).
United we beaten by a single goal at Birmingham after a stubbornly defending off the Championship favourites for 92 minutes, an injury time goal by Kevin Philips giving the Blues an undeserved victory. Blades manager Kevin Blackwell gave debuts to Sun Jihai, Greg Halford and Darius Henderson, whilst David Cotterill and Matthew Spring were on the bench. Henderson partnered Billy Sharp in attack. Alex McLeish was made several changes to his Birmingham side with the right back position going to Stuart Parnaby replacing the injured Stephen Kelly. Up-front James McFadden partnered Marcus Bent, with Phillips on the bench. It was a cracking atmosphere inside St. Andrews at kick-off. Both teams started with plenty of vigour and Birmingham had the first chance of the match when McFadden went down under a challenge from Sun on the edge of the Blades penalty area, and although there were appeals from the Blues fans the referee was unconvinced and waved play-on. United had a good chance moments later when from a corner, Blues defender Martin Taylor headed clear and Gary Speed thundered a perfectly struck volley which goalkeeper Maik Taylor did well to palm over. The wind and rain was not helping proceedings, but still Henderson and Sharp looked lively and some strong defending by Chris Morgan and Matt Kilgallon kept Bent and company at bay. Sun caught the eye with some nice touches in front of the traveling Unitedites. Birmingham forced two successive corners which to nothing, and at the other end, Sharp tested Taylor and a few moments later, Sharp threaten again but was dispossessed by the uncompromising Lee Carsley who was in defensive mode. Garry McSheffrey cut inside and saw his shot blocked by Morgan. McSheffrey then won a free-kick on the edge of the Blades area, but Sebastian Larsson fired well over. The Blues best chance was just before the break when Larsson's corner found Bent at the far post but the striker's goalbound effort was well blocked by Kilgallon. At the break United will have been content with the proceedings, Birmingham had not created anything of substance, and Paddy Kenny had not really broke sweat. The second half started with neither side producing anything of note, and it was not untill the 55th minute that Speed's long-range header floated a couple of yards wide. After 60 minutes, Tunisian midfielder Mehdi Nafti won a tackle and released McSheffrey who whipped in a useful cross which was again wasted. The Blades brought on Danny Webber for Sharp and a minute later, and Webber joined Henderson in attack. Just after Birmingham withdrew McSheffrey with striker Phillips who quickly entered the frontline to partner Bent, and McFadden was moved out to the left wing. The home fans were getting increasingly frustrated by the lack of activity in the United penaty area. The Blades defence were standing resolute. Eventually the ineffective Bent was replaced by striker Garry O'Connor in a straight swap. Instantly O’Connor found McFadden after a lucky deflection, but the ex-Everton player woefully ballooned his shot over the bar. Kenny finally got a feel of the ball when McFadden attempted to play a through ball for O'Connor. Moments later, Carsley was booked and Speed’s free-kick was blocked by Nafti and with eight minutes remaining, Blackwell sent on Jon Stead in place of Henderson, and Cameron Jerome replaced Larsson for Birmingham.
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