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Kenny, Naughton, Morgan, Kilgallon, Naysmith, Halford (Ehiogu 89), Speed, Quinn, Webber (Montgomery 75), Beattie (Henderson 78), Sharp. Booked: Quinn 69, Halford 88. Scorers: Roberts 14 og, Quinn 60. Man of The Match: Paddy Kenny.
Doncaster Line-up: Sullivan, O'Connor, Mills, Lockwood, Roberts, Wilson (Guy 83), Stock, Wellens, Byfield, Price (Hayter 80), Woods (Heffernan 80). Booked: Price 67.
Referee: Tony Bates (Staffordshire).
Sheffield United beat off a stubborn Doncaster Rovers side to win a South Yorkshire derby at the Keepmoat Stadium and continue the Blades revival. Kevin Blackwell named an unchanged side for the short trip to Doncaster, while the Rovers side had several changes, with Adam Lockwood replacing Sam Hird in central defence, Mark Wilson coming in for James Coppinger and Martin Woods taking over from Lewis Guy. The match kicked off with 3000 Unitedites in a full North Stand where Jason Price won the first corner of the night, but Gary Speed cleared any danger. Doncaster started the livelier, and it was not until eight minutes had past that United had their first shot on goal when James Beattie on the right fired from about nine yards but Neil Sullivan saved. Moments later, Beattie tested Sullivan again after good build up from Kyle Naughton and Greg Halford. Then Ritchie Wellens sent in a low cross, and a centrally positioned Darren Byfield fired over after an initial mistake from Naughton. After 14 minutes United went ahead when from a Gary Naysmith throw on the left, Danny Webber got round James O'Connor and fired low ball to the near post when Morgan was lingering, but Doncaster left-back Gareth Roberts managed to turn the ball into his own net. It was frantic action and Halford beat two players before firing a weak shot from close range which Sullivan easily saved. After 19 minutes, Rovers had a corner on their right and Brian Stock curled the ball into the box for Lockwood and his header was parried clear by Paddy Kenny in the Blades goal. A few minutes later, Stock stormed through midfield to the edge of the Blades 18 yard box where he unleashed a stinging drive against the underside of the crossbar, the ball rebounding out 20 yards to Price who completely missed his kick. Kenny came to United’s rescue again after 30 minutes. Martin Woods sent a through ball to Price who was given too much time on the right side of goal, and he hit a left footer which Kenny blocked with his legs. Rovers continued the pressure and came close again when O'Connor crossed from the right and Wilson on the edge of the United 18 yard box dummied the ball for Woods, and he fired wide of the post. Doncaster had been the better side in the first half with much of the battle taking place in midfield. United had defended well, but had failed to threaten in terms of goalmouth chances. But just before the interval, a good cross from Webber on the left side was met by Beattie with defender Roberts in close attendance, but the Blades striker could only head wide of the target. United started well in the second half, and won a corner which Halford delivered in and Stephen Quinn blasted over after some good work from Webber and Naysmith. On 56 minutes, United quickly countered and Halford delivered a low cross from the right witch completely lost centre back Matthew Mills and Beattie raced half the pitch but could only fire wide of the goal. United had dominated in the early exchanges of the second half, and were rewarded on the hour mark. Speed sent a well timed through ball for Quinn who lost two defenders before and firing the ball under the body of Sullivan, to send the Blades fans behind the goal into celebrations. The home side looked for an immediate answer and Wellens and Wilson combined well, and the former shot at goal which Kenny blocked. Then, Woods blasted wide from 25 yards as the home side became increasingly desperate for a goal. Late on, Nick Montgomery replaced Webber and Henderson came on for Beattie. There was then a flurry of Rovers substitutes but it made no difference, United defended their lead. In the final minutes, Billy Sharp shot at Sullivan, and just before time Halford was stretchered off after a clash with Mills. In the final seconds Doncaster had an attacking opportunity which seemed to sum up their evening. Jamaican striker Byfield got the better of Naysmith and then woefully basted over the bar. A good win for the Blades, and it moves them up into 6th position in the Championship.
27th September Sam Ellis says the swagger will soon return to James Beattie's game after his towering header clinched United's 2-1 win over Watford. Beattie, who missed the first six games of the season due to an ankle operation, headed home a classic centre-forward's goal to secure the Blades third Championship win of the season. Ellis said: "James has been unlucky in that (Darius) Henderson got injured and he probably had to come back too soon. "You can see for yourself, his touch isn't quite there yet, but the goal will do him the world of good because he's back to his cocky self again after the game. "That would lift a lot off his mind and hopefully it's clear enough now for him to get back to where we expect." Gary Speed gave the Blades an early tonic when he tapped home unmarked two yards from goal inside the first minute. John-Joe O'Toole headed Aidy Boothroyd's injury-hit Watford level early in the second half, but Beattie powered home Billy Sharp's fine cross in the 66th minute and with a bit more luck in the latter stages the Blades could have scored more. Ellis added: "We're delighted to get back to winning ways. The performance was good, particularly from where we've been during the last 12 days. "We think it shows what we felt all along - that we have a lot of character within the squad and they've shown it today, not only winning, but being pegged back and going on to win the game."
27th September Sheffield United 2 Watford 1 (Attendance: 24,427) Kenny, Naughton (Dyer 86), Kilgallon, Morgan, Naysmith, Halford, Quinn, Speed, Webber (Ehiogu 90), Sharp, Beattie (Henderson 86). Scorers: Speed 1, Beattie 66. Man of The Match: Kyle Naughton.
Watford Line-up: Loach (Lee 16), Mariappa, Sodje, Bromby, Harley, Smith, Eustace (McAnuff 71), Williamson, O'Toole, Ainsworth (Henderson 53), Hoskins. Scorer: O'Toole 56.
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).
James Beattie scored his first goal of the season for United in a deserved 2-1 win over Watford at Bramall Lane. Kevin Blackwell made one change to the starting eleven from midweek League Cup tie with Sheffield-born teenager Kyle Naughton making his debut, and at right-back and Greg Halford replacing David Cotterill on the right wing. Stephen Quinn partnered Gary Speed in central midfield. New loan signing Nathan Dyer was on the bench along with Darius Henderson. Watford had loan signing Sam Sodje making his debut. John Eustace was handed the captain's armband in the absence of Jay DeMerit. In the absence of long term injury Matt Poom; goalkeeper Scott Loach finally made his long awaited his debut for the Hornets, having spent most of his time at the club on loan. Before the kick-off there was a minute of applause for former chairman, director and president, Bernard Procter and former manager, Jimmy Sirrel, who both passed away this week. The game started in glorious September sunshine with the Blades kicking towards the Shoreham Kop, and within 50 seconds United went ahead. Watford central defender Sodje conceded a throw-in on the right side and Halford launched a long bomb, and a flick-on from Chris Morgan found Billy Sharp at the far post and he was able to turn it back across goal, the ball fell at the feet of Speed to find the back of the net from close range. United looked lively and business like and were dominating in the early exchanges and after 12 minutes tested Loach's reflexes when he was forced to save with his fingertips low to his right, after Halford had found Danny Webber and the Blades striker fired stinging shot at the Hornets keeper. Seconds later, goalkeeper Loach went down needing treatment on an apparent hip injury. Despite being able to continue temporarily, he was eventually taken off and went down the tunnel, to be replaced by substitute goalkeeper Richard Lee. The pressure continued to grow on Watford's under-siege back line; corner after corner was awarded to the Blades in front of the Kop, the most notable moment being when Naughton fired in a 25-yard shot which deflected off Watford left-back Jon Harley. Watford had been overrun the first half and another Halford throw found Morgan whose shot from six yards was blocked. The Hornet's first real effort did not arrive until the 43rd minute, when from a free-kick Lionel Ainsworth controlled a cross into the United area, before launching a bicycle kick wide of Paddy Kenny's post. Seconds later, Sodje headed wide of the mark following a cross from Harley. Watford started the better side in the opening minutes of the second half. Right winger Ainsworth again was in the action early on after a one-two with Lee Williamson on the right before the former deflected a shot into the hands of Blades goalkeeper Kenny. Six minutes into the half and Quinn unleashed a dipping long-range drive, which Lee palmed down before claiming at his second attempt. Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd then made a change to his line-up with Liam Henderson replacing Ainsworth. Henderson taking up an attacking role joining Will Hoskins up-front. Just minutes later Watford drew level, Tommy Smith curled in a corner and at the far post in a crowded box was John-Joe O'Toole who headed the ball in, although Kenny tried to claw the ball away, but it had clearly just crossed the goal line. But United were soon back in front, 10 minutes elapsed and then Quinn hugging the left hand touchline was able to feed Sharp who held off the challenge of Leigh Bromby and crossed to the far post. Sodje rose but missed his header, leaving the ball to reach the forehead of Beattie six yards out, and his downward effort went under the body of Lee. With chants of ‘Beattie’ ringing around the Lane, United continued to apply pressure. Halford headed into the Hornets box and Sharp turned quickly about eight yards from goal, and produced a shot that drew a fingertip save from Lee to push the ball just wide of his near post. Boothroyd sent on Jobi McAnuff in place of captain Eustace but United continued to push the visitors back. First, Beattie blasted a 25-yard shot from a cental posistion which clearly swerved mid-air and caused goalkeeper Lee problems, and then Webber fired just wide. Irishman O'Toole tried from long range effort for Watford which produced a diving save from Kenny, and McAnuff rushed into the area to get on the end of a Smith cross but to no avail.United were in control and it seemed that holding the lead was the priority and Blackwell made two substitutions late on with Henderson replacing Beattie and Dyer coming on for Naughton. Both Beattie and Naughton received standing ovations as they left the field. In the dying seconds the Blades should had added a third when Speed hit 30-yards strike which seemed to hit the crossbar and post, and then Sharp hit the post from a closer range. So a good performance and win from United who had shown character and responded in the right way after several recent defeats. Up the Blades!
26th September United have secured the services of out-of-favour Southampton winger Nathan Dyer on a three-month loan. The 20-year-old has been restricted to just five appearances for the Saints first-team this season under the management of new boss Jan Poortvliet.
23rd September Arsenal 6 Sheffield United 0 (Attendance: 56,632) Kenny, Halford, Morgan, Kilgallon, Naysmith, Cotterill (Naughton 46), Speed (Hendrie 73), Quinn, Montgomery, Beattie (Robertson 76), Webber. Booked: Halford. Man of The Match: Stephen Quinn.
Arsenal Line-up: Fabianski, Hoyte, Djourou, Song Billong (Lansbury 70), Gibbs, Randall, Ramsey, Merida (Coquelin 71), Wilshere, Bendtner (Simpson 71), Vela. Scorers: Bendtner 31, 42, Vela 44, 50, 87, Wilshere 57.
Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).
Carlos Vela took centre stage as Arsenal's teenage sensations destroyed Sheffield United to progress to the League Cup fourth round with a display of scintillating football at Emirates Stadium. Arsene Wenger named a side with an average age of 19 and they simply tore United apart with Mexican Vela claiming a hat-trick. Kevin Blackwell made just on change from the side which lost at Norwich with Danny Webber replacing Billy Sharp in attack. The Blades started with a 4-3-3 formation with Webber and David Cotterill wide and James Beattie down the centre. Arsenal were in command from the start with a crisp passing move which sent Kieran Gibbs away down the left, only for his low centre to fly across the six-yard box. Webber did well to weave himself into space just outside the Arsenal penalty area but then could not get any power on his shot and the ball bobbled through to Lukasz Fabianski, captain for the Gunners and at 23 the oldest man in the home team. Another quick passing Arsenal move on the edge of the area saw Nicklas Bendtner play in Johan Djourou and the big defender turned to fire a goal-bound effort which Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny saved at full stretch. Bendtner flicked on for Jack Wilshere to collect in the overlap down the right but the teenager rushed his attempted curled shot and hit wide. Arsenal then went ahead after 31 minutes; Vela held off Chris Morgan and found Bendtner, who passed the ball into the net from about 25 yards. The Gunners felt they had a strong penalty claim when Morgan slid through on Wilshere but referee Phil Dowd was unimpressed. After 42 minutes Ramsey weaved his way into the left of the penalty area before turning and playing a superb back-heel to Bendtner who beat Kenny from six yards. Before the Blades could regroup and look towards the respite of half-time they were further behind. Bendtner turned provider as he chipped a pass through for Vela to run on to down the right and the Mexican sprinted into the area before bending a delightful effort into the far corner and make it 3-0. In the second half Arsenal continued where they had left off as Gibbs stung the Kenny's hands with a fierce angled drive from the left of the penalty area. The full-back then sent a long pass up-field towards Vela who took the ball on his chest, leaving Morgan chasing shadows, and darted into the box to finish with an audacious chip over the stranded Kenny. It got worse for the battered Blades when Wilshere drilled in a fifth after 57 minutes. Fran Merida's right-wing corner picked out the 16-year-old and he showed great composure to drill a low shot past Kenny from 22 yards. There was no holding back by the rampant Gunners with Djourou heading over at the back post following another deep corner before Bendtner narrowly missed out on his hat-trick when his close-range shot trickled wide. Vela then completed his treble with another well-taken effort after 88 minutes after running clear down the left onto Ramsey's pass. It had been a wretched night for the Blades, and the Unitedites present felt humiliated. Probably the worst defeat since the match at Hillsborough last season.
23rd September An FA arbitration hearing has ruled in favour of Sheffield United in their claim for compensation from West Ham over the Carlos Tevez affair. The Blades were relegated in a dramatic end to the 2006-07 season, when a Tevez-inspired Hammers beat Manchester United on the final day of the season to clinch top-flight safety at United's expense. The Premier League fined the Hammers a record £5.5million for fielding Tevez and Javier Mascherano when they were ineligible to play under league rules regarding third-party ownership. United initially wanted to have their Premier League place reinstated and appealed that the monetary fine was insufficient. Having failed in that regard they then turned their attentions to achieving a financial settlement. The club on Tuesday issued a statement on their official website claiming success in that case, although the exact nature of the compensation is as yet unclear. Newspaper reports suggest the Blades could be looking for a figure of around £30million, while chairman Kevin McCabe is on record as saying that relegation cost United at least £50million in lost revenues. McCabe said: "I can confirm that both clubs have been notified of the ruling. "The arbitration panel has awarded in our favour. "The matter is still legally in process so I do not wish to comment any further until we have completed that process."
20th September Kevin Blackwell leapt to the defence of two United players after they got involved in an apparent on-pitch row following the defeat at Norwich. Chris Morgan and substitute Lee Hendrie had to be separated by colleagues as they appeared to blame each other for Lee Croft's stunning late strike. The goal came down Hendrie's flank, and Croft played a one-two with Jamie Cureton before blasting the ball past Paddy Kenny. After the goal, Morgan and Hendrie went forehead-to-forehead before being pulled apart. There were also alleged reports that the pair continued their argument in the tunnel but Blackwell denied that the row had got physical. "There is no truth in that whatsoever," said the manager. As for the disagreement during the game that was there for everyone to see, Blackwell added: "You want players to show passion for the club and passion for their performance. "There are too many players that walk away now and don't really care. "If everyone had been patting themselves on the back after Norwich had scored I would have been grabbing people by the throat." Blackwell felt his side had been the better team and would have won but for a stellar performance by Canaries keeper David Marshall. "The match should have been over by half-time but if you don't take your chances in this game there is always a risk that you will get punished and this is exactly what has happened today," he said. "You certainly would have thought we were the away side today because we really took the game to them but the lad Marshall has made one or two great saves, including one near the end to keep them in it. "It goes without saying that it is bitterly disappointed to come away from here with nothing but full credit to Norwich to taking their chance when it came their way. "They have taught us a valuable lesson today."
20th September Norwich City 1 Sheffield United 0 (Attendance: 24,175) Kenny, Halford, Morgan, Kilgallon, Naysmith, Cotterill (Naughton 84), Speed, Montgomery, Quinn (Hendrie 71), Beattie, Sharp (Webber 56).
Booked: Halford, Speed. Man of The Match: Nick Montgomery.
Norwich Line-up: Marshall, Otsemobor, Grounds, Omozusi, Drury (Hoolahan 68), Croft, Fotheringham, Pattison (Lupoli 25), Bertrand, Sibierski, Russell, Lupoli (Cureton 65). Scorer: Croft 90.
Referee: Phil Crossley (Kent).
An injury-time goal sent United to another away defeat against Norwich City at Carrow Road. Kevin Blackwell made one enforced change to his starting eleven with Greg Halford returning to the side at right-back at the expense of the suspended Sun Jihai. Norwich had defenders Jon Otsemobor and Adam Drury back in the starting line-up. Stephen Quinn had an early half-volleyed effort on goal from just outside of the area, but Norwich goalkeeper David Marshall pushed the ball away. Midfielder Darrel Russell then had the chance to put the Canaries ahead as he latched on to Matthew Pattison's cross, but Matt Kilgallon was on hand to block his close-range effort. The Blades were denied after 12 minutes had elapsed when Gary Speed managed to get his diving header on target and forced Marshall to palm the ball away. Shortly after, Antoine Sibierski fouled Chris Morgan on the edge of the 18 yard box and David Cotterill fired in a curling shot which Marshall did well to push round the post. After 25 minutes, Norwich were forced into making a change when Matty Pattison picked up an injury and was replaced by striker Arturo Lupoli. James Beattie continued his comeback from injury as he led the line for the Blades but failed to keep an effort on target from 25 yards before his strike partner Billy Sharp slotted wide. Eight minute before the break, Norwich were awarded a free-kick after an alleged foul by Kilgallon on Sibierski, and Ostemobor tested Paddy Kenny in the United goal. Then, Russell fired a strike on goal just before the break, but Kenny was equal to his effort with an impressive save. Following a quiet start to the second half, a free-kick from Mark Fotheringham found Russell, but his header went wide of Kenny’s post. An out-swinging corner from Cotterill then found Morgan but he also headed off target. Danny Webber replaced Sharp after 57 minutes, and United should have had a penalty after three minutes later, when the ball appeared to hit one of the Norwich defenders arm in a melee in the Norwich box, but the referee waived play-on much to the disgust of Speed who was booked for protesting. After 74 minutes, Sibierski crossed and Norwich substitute Jamie Cureton shot directly at Kenny. Two minutes after the United keeper made an outstanding save after winger Croft found Sibierski about six yards from goal, and his awkward downward half-volley hit the ground on its way to goal, bounced toward the top corner and Kenny pushed the ball around the post with a diving one handed save. Blades midfielder Lee Hendrie replaced Quinn after 71 minutes, and he curled a shot just wide of the post with Marshall at full stretch. Kyle Naughton made is league debut for United after 84 minutes after replacing Cotterill. A key moment arrived after 89 minutes, after a slip by Norwich defender Jonathan Grounds, Hendrie’s through ball sent Webber clear on goal but Marshall pulled off a superb one-handed save low to his left to thwart the Blades striker. United had defended competently throughout the match but were hit by a sickener in the 90th minute. Possibly a lack of concentration allowed Croft was allowed to advance well into the Blades half and find Cureton on the right, the ball was slipped beyond Kilgallon, and Croft cut inside Nick Montgomery and curled the ball beyond Kenny into the far corner to give Norwich the winner and their first home win of the season. The sight of Morgan and Hendrie facing up to each other after the final whiste is certanally not what Unitedites want to see. United are losing and drawing matches and the fans are starting to get disgruntled with our league position. We have the quality players, we should be doing better than this. They need to get it together and back to winning ways next Saturday at home against Watford. Up the Blades!
16th September After the 1-1 draw with Coventry at Bramall Lane, Kevin Blackwell did make excuses after another disapointing performance: "We just weren't at it tonight and there is no point in me pretending otherwise. Coventry were better than us for most of the match although the lads worked their socks off and showed great resilience to get a point." he said. He continued, "That is a game that we would probably have lost before I came. We talked in pre-season about turning draws into wins and defeats into draws - that is what happened tonight. "Half-time wasn't a time for ranting and raving. We talked about staying calm because if we didn't it would only make us play worse - and we did get worse for ten minutes. "It took the missed penalty and the sending-off to get us going, but having got on top late on we created three or four great opportunities through set-plays." The Blades earned their point through Billy Sharp's clever turn and accurate finish for his fourth goal of the season, although he was later sacrificed for Danny Webber: "It was a terrific striker's goal from Billy although I had been a bit critical of him at the break. He did buck up afterwards but he knows I want more dynamic movement from him, more often."
16th September Sheffield United 1 Coventry City 1 (Attendance: 24,130) Kenny, Sun, Morgan, Kilgallon, Naysmith, Cotterill (Halford 63), Speed, Montgomery, Quinn, Beattie (Gillespie 89), Sharp (Webber 71). Subs Not Used: Hendrie, Ehiogu. Sent Off: Jihai 51. Booked: Quinn. Scorer: Sharp 56. Man of The Match: Nick Montgomery.
Coventry Line-up: Westwood, Osbourne, Ward, Dann, Fox, Morrison (Best 74), Doyle, Gunnarsson, Tabb, McKenzie (Mifsud 46), Eastwood. Subs Not Used: Marshall, Hall, Simpson. Booked: Osbourne 42, Dann 45, Mifsud 81. Scorer: Tabb 30.
Referee: Darren Deadman (Cambridgeshire)
A Billy Sharp conjured a clever left-foot finish to grab a point for the Blades against Coventry City at the Lane. Blades manager Kevin Blackwell made two changes to the Blades side which lost at Derby at the weekend, James Beattie replaced an injured Darius Henderson, whilst David Cotterill replaced Greg Halford on the right wing. For Coventry, manager Chris Coleman recalled Jay Tabb in place of Guillaume Beuzelin and Aron Gunnarsson was preferred to Leon Best who dropped to the substitute’s bench. The Sky Blues started the better of the two teams, with Tabb and Freddy Eastwood testing Paddy Kenny in the United goal early on. Striker Clinton Morrison headed just wide, and Tabb caused more concern when his free-kick produced a save from Kenny. United looked nervy early on and their defence was forced back again when Gunnarsson made a good run and Kenny had to parry and then save from Morrison after the rebound. It was not until the 24th minute that United had a noteworthy shot on goal. Cotterill crossed for Stephen Quinn at the back post, but he was blocked by defender Elliott Ward after the United midfielder dallied on the ball for too long. And moments later, Beattie hit a 30-yard free-kick which deflected off the Sky Blues wall for a corner. After 29 minutes, Coventry grabbed the lead. Michael Doyle on the right earned the Sky Blues a throw midway in the Blades half, and Icelandic International Gunnarsson launched an enormous throw in. The throw got a flick on in the penalty area before finding its way to Tabb who instantly fired low across Kenny and into the bottom corner. Coventry were in control at this stage, and the Lane faithful were becoming frustrated with lack of endeavour from their heroes, having only made possibly two clear chances throughout the half. Just before the break, the visitors could have had another after Daniel Fox curled in a free-kick which the overworked Kenny had to deal with. The referee was proving unpopular after having given some odd decisions earlier, and just before the break dismissed worthwhile claims for a penalty, after Beattie got a boot in his face while attempting to head the ball form about six yard out. Then, Quinn crossed for Sharp who got the better of goalkeeper Keiren Westwood but the referee strangely deemed it offside, and he and his bumbling linesmen where duly booed off at half-time. Coventry made one substitution at half-time with the unpopular Michael Mifsud replacing striker Leon McKenzie. United were defending the Kop in the second half and the pattern of the game continued with Coventry having the better of proceedings. And controversy ensued after 47 minutes when Sun Jihai chopped down Mifsud as the Coventry left-winger made his way into the Blades box. The Referee pointed straight to the spot. Ward stepped up to fire the penalty wide of Kenny’s left hand post much to the delight of the Kop. But worse was to follow for United after Sun again clashed with Mifsud in front of the John Street and Kop corner. Sun dived in with a two footed challenge for the ball which inevitably resulted in a red card although Mifsud did make the most of the situation while on the floor. The sending off meant Nick Montgomery moved to right-back and although we all expected United to struggle from this point they rallied, and started to fight back. On 56 minutes they got an equaliser. Cotterill on the right delivered a low cross which found Sharp with his back to goal, and the United striker turned and lashed a low shot past Westwood's despairing right hand. After 64 minutes, Blackwell made a change with Halford replacing a tiring Cotterill on the right wing. Coventry were still dangerous and Eastwood fired at Kenny and then fired over the crossbar. Danny Webber came on for Sharp after 72 minutes, and then Best replaced Morrison who had been involved in an apparent verbal argument with Quinn after an earlier challenge between the two players. Gunnarsson alarmingly had a free header from a corner which he fortunately sent straight at Kenny, and then Eastwood wasted two more chances. In-between, Mifsud got himself booked for diving in the Blades 18 yard box. The Blades struggled to make any opportunities late on, and in the final minutes did not test Westwood in the Coventry goal. Maybe it was because they were a player short or not attacking the Kop, it was all lacklustre and Beattie was replaced by Keith Gillespie. Mifsud fired over a volley after United had failed to clear the ball. Speed had an effort tipped over by Westwood. And in the final seconds, Chris Morgan got in a tangle with Speed and that allowed Best through on goal, but incredibly he fired wide of the right hand post.
15th September Ipswich have confirmed that Jon Stead's stay will now be a permanent one, with the former United striker signing a three-year deal. The Tractor Boys agreed a fee on deadline day but rather than rush the deal through, it was decided that he would join on an initial three-month loan spell. Stead marked his full debut with a goal in Ipswich's 2-0 win over Reading on Saturday and was delighted to finalise his move. "Its been a fantastic weekend, what with scoring, getting the three points and finalising my move here," he said. "It was an easy decision to make, joining the club."
13th September Derby County 2 Sheffield United 1 (Attendance: 28,473) Kenny, Sun, Morgan, Kilgallon, Naysmith, Halford (Cotterill 74), Speed, Montgomery (Webber 83), Quinn, Henderson, Sharp (Beattie 72). Booked: Montgomery 19, Morgan 47, Beattie. Scorer: Henderson 26. Man of The Match: Greg Halford.
Derby Line-up: Carroll, Connolly, Leacock, Albrechtsen, Stewart, Green, Kazmierczak (Barazite 46), Addison, Commons (Pearson 88), Hulse (Ellington 85), Villa. Booked: Leacock 49. Scorers: Green 24, Hulse 71.
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside).
Rob Hulse popped up late in the second half to grab the winner for Derby and condemn United to another away defeat. Kevin Blackwell made two changes to the Blades side with Chris Morgan coming in for the injured Ego Ehiogu and Nick Montgomery returning to his familiar midfield role. Darius Henderson partnered Billy Sharp in attack with James Beattie on the bench. Derby named an unchanged side for the third successive match with Paul Green wide on the right and Miles Addison keeping his place in the midfield. Lewin Nyatanga and Stephen Pearson were included on the bench for the Rams. The home side started the better of the two sides in a packed Pride Park, and the supporters of both sides were making plenty of noise as Derby looked for their first win in a year. With five minutes having elapsed, Derby midfielder Kris Commons curled a free-kick into Paddy Kenny's side-netting. Emanuel Villa was looking dangerous early on, and he headed a the ball down for Miles Addison, who was unable keep his 25-yard shot under control. Montgomery was unlucky to be booked for a lunge on Commons as the home side had the better of the early exchanges. Moments later, Paul Connolly hurled a throw in to the Blades box where it found Hulse, who turned quickly and was thwarted by goalkeeper Kenny who made a fine save. United then threatened when Greg Halford curled a 25-yard free-kick against the outside of the angle of post and bar. Seconds later Derby were ahead, Commons delivered a cross from the left, the ball deflected of Sun Jihai and Green tried to get a header in, but Matt Kilgallon possibly unsighted took the final touch for an own-goal from six yards out. The Rams joy, however, was short-lived as the Blades soon levelled things up with a superb goal. Halford found himself with the ball at his feet out on the right and his deep cross was headed home by Darius Henderson from close-range to the delight of the 2000 travelling faithful in the South Stand. Several chances came and went for both sides, a Commons free-kick was headed over by Villa and Przemyslaw Kazmierczak found Commons, but he shot wide of Kenny’s post. The final chance of the half went to Sharp in injury time. The Blades stiker was given time and space in the Rams 18 yard box after a throw-in, and he curled a shot just wide. United emerged form the tunnel unchanged from the first half. Derby introduced Nacer Barazite in place of Kazmierczak. Barazite went onto the right wing and Green joined Addison in midfield. Morgan was booked a minute after the restart for a block on Villa just outside the Blades 18 yard box, and Commons fired just wide after been setup up by Barazite and Green. And then Dean Leacock went in to the book for persistent fouling after catching Stephen Quinn. There was controversy after 54 minutes, when Addison broke up play in midfield and sent Hulse away into the Blades box. Kilgallon quickly raced at the side of Hulse and tackled the ball from the former Blades player. However, the referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot. The Blades players pointed to the linesman, and after a short consultation in the far corner of the field, referee Foy reversed his earlier decision and gave the correct decision - a corner. The decision upset the home fans and they howled and booed for several minutes after, while manager Paul Jewell could be seen waiving his arms around and causing uproar on the sidelines. Leacock headed over Barazite's cross, and at the other end; Quinn failed to connect properly after Henderson had won a header. Then, Villa crashed a header against the crossbar from Jordan Stewart's left-wing cross. At this stage, a point would have been an acceptable outcome for United, but the inevitable was about to happen. Hulse would get his goal against his former teammates. Barazite found space on the right and Kilgallon failed to clear his low cross, only for it to sit up nicely for Hulse. Initially, Hulse appeared to control the ball with his arm and then fired goalwards, the ball deflected off Sun and past Kenny to give the Rams the lead again. Derby we content to protect their precious lead and United were looking lost for ideas, not making any noteworthy chances. And after 73 minutes, Blackwell made two changes to his side. First Beattie replaced Sharp and a minute later, David Cotterill came on for Halford. After 81 minutes, Henderson rose to meet a cross from Beattie, but he could not direct his header past Derby goalkeeper Roy Carroll. With time running out, Danny Webber was sent on in place of Montgomery. Webber found Quinn and the Blades midfield man disappointedly shot wide of the post. Derby made several substitutions; Hulse was replaced by Nathan Ellington and Commons made way for Stephen Pearson. The Blades looked to get the ball forward quickly and Henderson headed narrowly wide from a Sun cross as United kept up the pressure. But the Blades could not find the equaliser, and Derby ended their poor run of form. It has to be said United were disappointing today with quite a few players falling well below what we have come to expect of them. It had nothing to do with sods law... we were just poor. The worst performance of the season. If we are to be taken seriously as one of the promotion teams come the end of the season, we have got to win away matches like these against out of form teams.
2nd September Manager Kevin Blackwell was disappointed by the departure of midfielder Michael Tonge to Stoke but insisted it was a good deal. Tonge has signed a four-year deal at the Britannia Stadium for an undisclosed fee, and although Blackwell would have preferred not to sell the midfielder, he did not want to stand in the way of the 25-year-old. "I was hoping the phone call wouldn't come, because I wanted to keep the squad together," said Blackwell. "It all happened so quickly from about 11pm and it was a situation where Tongey wanted the opportunity to play in the Premier League again, and the club had received an excellent financial offer. "We knew something could happen, but hoped it wouldn't. Some of the staff had to be at Bramall Lane until gone midnight because of that. Stoke put a bid in late in the day and that was that. "We grew up together in a way and I have seen him progress rapidly over my two spells with the Blades. When I came back, he proved to the supporters that he is a good player and he is a great lad." "Tongey will have a hint of sadness about him, because this has been his footballing home for so long and he has known nothing different. |
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