28th October Bristol City 0 Sheffield United 0 (Attendance: 16,798)

Blades Line-up: Kenny, Sun, Morgan, Ehiogu, Naughton, Spring, Howard, Quinn, Webber (Dyer 90), Beattie, Stokes (Halford 79).
Subs Not Used: Cotterill, Montgomery, Sharp.

Booked: Ehiogu 60, Howard 78.

Man of The Match: Paddy Kenny.

Bristol City Line-up: Basso, Orr, McCombe, Fontaine, Wilson, Williams (Maynard 84), Johnson, Elliott, McIndoe, Adebola (John 60), Trundle (Sproule 68).
Subs Not Used: Weale, Webster.

Booked: Elliott 57, Williams 70

Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire).

United came away from Ashton Gate with a 0-0 draw after a good all round performance to keep them amongst the Championship pace setters.
Kevin Blackwell made just one enforced change from Saturday's win over Preston with Sun Jihai taking the place of the injured Gary Naysmith at left-back in a positive 4-3-3 formation. The Blades went close to opening the scoring in the second minute when James Beattie lashed a shot at goal which was tipped around the post by goalkeeper Andriano Basso. United were presented with a chance three minutes later after Marvin Elliott fouled Brian Howard on the edge of the penalty area. Striker Anthony Stokes took the free-kick but was unable to test Basso and his shot flew over the crossbar. After 13 minutes, Beattie went close again when he met a cross from Kyle Naughton but saw his goal-bound header blocked by Basso. The Robins made an impact in the Blades half moments later when Michael McIndoe created a shooting opportunity and struck a long-range attempt at goal but goalkeeper Paddy Kenny saved well. It turned out to be a rare foray for the home side and United went close again in the 25th minute when Howard fired over the bar from distance. Beattie was again the major threat 10 minutes later when he struck a free-kick at City's goal which Basso parried to safety. The best chance of the first half though fell to Dele Adebola in the 41st minute but the veteran striker could only direct his header from inside the six-yard box over the bar. It was a different story after the break as the Robins adopted a more attacking approach and almost found the net three minutes into the half. Lee Johnson smashed a 20 yard shot at goal which was parried by Kenny into the path of Trundle, who fired the rebound at Kenny, and the Blades goalkeeper made a superp save to keep United the game goalless. City went close again from long distance in the 60th minute when Johnson's free-kick hit the ball and found McIndoe who saw his shot fly just wide of the Blades post. Beattie remained the most likely goal threat for United, and forced Basso to tip the ball over the bar eight minutes later. The Robins reasserted their authority as the game wore on and Gavin Williams saw his shot from 18 yards blocked by Ugo Ehiogu in the 81st minute before he smashed the rebound over the bar. City brought on Nicky Maynard for Williams, and he had an almost immediate impact when he tested Kenny with a stinging shot from inside the penalty area in the 84th minute. Basso made a comfortable save from Stephen Quinn's shot in stoppage-time but overall a draw represented a fair result for both sides.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Bristol City: Kenny 8, Sun 7, Morgan 7, Ehiogu 7, Naughton 7, Spring 8, Howard 7, Quinn 7, Webber 7, Beattie 7, Stokes 6, Halford 6, Dyer -.

25th October United boss Kevin Blackwell was full of praise for veteran defender Ugo Ehiogu after his goal earned victory against Preston. The 35-year-old centre-back scored his first goal for 19 months to lift the Blades into fifth spot and condemn North End to their sixth defeat in seven games. The former England international, who served Aston Villa and Middlesbrough with distinction in the Premier League, rifled the ball into the back of the net from eight yards in the 50th minute after the visitors failed to clear a free-kick. "Ugo is an absolute credit and has been outstanding since I came here," said Blackwell. "I've got three top-class centre-halves in Ugo, Chris Morgan and Matt Kilgallon. "I don't really care which two centre-halves play because I know they are as good as anyone else in the Championship. "It was the icing on the cake for Ugo to come up and score and there's no doubt that our perseverance paid off." Blackwell was pleased to seal the win and added: "At this part of the season it's about getting results and then the football starts to flow. "We are jockeying for position and if we can up there around Christmas time then we'll be in a good position to strike."

25th October Sheffield United 1 Preston North End 0 (Attendance: 24,445)

Blades Line-up: Kenny, Naughton, Morgan, Ehiogu, Naysmith (Jihai 46), Webber (Halford 78), Howard, Spring, Quinn, Beattie (Sharp 87), Stokes.
Subs Not Used: Cotterill, Montgomery.

Booked: Naughton 45, Kenny 79, Howard 85.

Scorer: Ehiogu 50.

Man of The Match: Ugo Ehiogu.

Preston Line-up: Lonergan, Jones, Mawene, St. Ledger, McEveley, Sedgwick (Whaley 86), McKenna, Nicholson, Wallace, Parkin, Elliott (Mellor 60).
Subs Not Used: Jarrett, Nolan, Chris Neal.

Booked: Nicholson 16, Parkin 76, Jones 90.

Referee: Dean Whitestone (Northamptonshire).

Ugo Ehiogu scored his first goal for 19 months to hand United a hard-fought 1-0 win against Preston at the Lane. Kevin Blackwell made two changes to his side, and handed full league debuts to two players. Mathew Spring and Anthony Stokes were handed starting roles at the expense of David Cotterill and the injured Gary Speed. The match started with United kicking towards the Shoreham Kop with a 4-3-3 formation. Just a minute into the game and Preston defender Sean St. Ledger took a blow to his leg and was hurried to the sidelines for treatment. After five minutes, Stokes curled a free-kick into the arms of goalkeeper Andy Lonergan, and at the other end, Chris Sedgwick raced forward and fired at Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny. Gary Naysmith sent in a deep free-kick which Lonergan failed to collect clashing with his own defence, and after a scramble Billy Jones to blocked James Beattie's shot. After 18 minutes, Paul McKenna sent Sedgwick away on a counter, but the eventual cross came to Jon Parkin. And the giant striker held off Ehiogu and fired at 20 year effort, but Kenny was alert and parried the ball before collecting. North End dominated large parts of the half and Parkin saw a shot blocked by Beattie as Jones scampered into a crossing position, and then Ehiogu's foul on the same striker led to a Ross Wallace free-kick, which was only kept out courtesy of a deflection off the Blades wall. From the resulting corner, Youl Mawene looked to head home from Barry Nicholson's delivery, Spring got in the way and Preston claimed he had handled his second delivery into the box, but the referee rightly waived play-on. United were back on the attack when Stokes found Danny Webber, but he could not control the ball at the vital moment, and then Brain Howard fired at Lonergan after Stephen Quinn's quick free-kick. Just before the break Kyle Naughton received a yellow card after he went down after a challenge by Nicholson. It looked like a free-kick to United would be given, but to everyone’s amazement, he booked the Blades full-back for ‘diving’ much to the derision of the Lane faithful. On the half-time whistle the Lane crowd were still venting their anger at the referee, and Blades manager Blackwell fuming after the Naughton booking, and walked onto the pitch to confront the referee before he was pulled away. Blackwell was forced to make a change for the start of the second half with Sun Jihai replacing Naysmith at left-back. The Chinese defender was soon in the thick of the action, as was Preston skipper McKenna, who fired over the crossbar after 47 minutes. Then, St. Ledger, who was battling on despite a heavily strapped leg, was pulled up for handball on the edge of the box, and Quinn's subsequent curling free-kick, destined for the bottom corner, caused problems. Goalkeeper Lonergan did well to palm the ball away from danger, but waiting to pounce on the rebound was Webber. He squared to Ehiogu, and though the advancing centre half saw one shot blocked by his opposite number Mawene, the loose ball fell kindly for him to poke it home off the underside of the bar from eight yards. The goal lifted United, and Webber epitomised the new found belief by testing Lonergan from a wide angle having skipped beyond the challenges of Wallace and Jay McEveley. Sun and Beattie also combined before Quinn fired across goal and then Howard fired a shot just wide. Preston manager Alan Irvine responded by bringing on Neil Mellor in place of Stephen Elliott. Soon after, Mellor fired straight at Kenny, and Lonergan saved from Stokes. Naughton surged forward on one of his runs and reached the edge of the Lilywhites’ box before forcing Lonergan into a save. Then, Howard skimmed the top of the crossbar with a long-range effort. The Blades were having the better of the half, and in the closing stages, Greg Halford replaced Webber, and 10 minutes later, Beattie was withdrawn after taking a slight knock and was replaced by Billy Sharp. The referee was continuing to get plenty stick from the United faithful after several crazy decisions, with free-kicks given for nothing! It’s fair to say the referee and his bumbling linesmen could not wait for the end and a quick exit from the ground. United played out the final minutes, and in injury time, Nicholson fired a 25 yard strike which Kenny saved with the ball landing just the wrong side of Mellor who waiting to pounce. But United held on for victory and another clean sheet.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Preston: Kenny 7, Naughton 7, Morgan 7, Ehiogu 8, Naysmith 6, Jihai 7, Halford 6, Howard 7, Spring 6, Quinn 7, Webber 6, Beattie 6, Stokes 6, Sharp -.

21st October Kevin Blackwell bemoaned his side's lack of fortune after they were held to a goalless draw by struggling Southampton. Blackwell was left frustrated once again as on-loan striker Anthony Stokes had a goal disallowed for offside and his side missed several opportunities to secure all three points. The Blades boss said: "I feel for the lads, you sometimes need a break of the ball or a decision that comes your way and for some reason its not happening. "But considering it's 48 hours after the Sheffield derby I thought they put in a terrific performance, 10 lads who worked their socks off for 70 minutes. "I thought they ran Southampton ragged and I'm really pleased with their response. "The TV seemed to show, and the lads were adamant that it [Stokes goal] wasn't offside. But the fans have gone home and they know it was 0-0 but it was an entertaining game and it could have been three, four, could have been anything. "When you're a big club teams are going to come here and put in a shift. That's the difference with being a big club, you have to cope with that week in, week out and the lads have to cope with that. I thought they coped with that tonight. "As I said to the lads if you keep playing like that you're going to win more games than you lose that's for sure."

21st October Sheffield United 0 Southampton 0 (Attendance: 25,642)

Blades Line-up: Kenny, Naughton, Morgan, Ehiogu, Naysmith, Cotterill (Spring 46), Speed (Stokes 46), Howard, Quinn, Beattie, Webber.
Subs Not Used: Jihai, Montgomery, Sharp.

Booked: Webber 58.

Man of The Match: Danny Webber.

Southampton Line-up: Davis, Cork, Perry, Lancashire, Skacel, Lallana, Surman, Gillett, John (Wotton 88), Wright-Phillips (James 77), Mills (McGoldrick 68).
Subs Not Used: Forecast, Paterson.

Sent Off: Lancashire (88 - second bookable offence).

Booked: Lancashire 53.

Referee: Clive Oliver (Northumberland).

United failed to find a goal as strugglers Southampton held them to a 0-0 draw at Bramall Lane. Kevin Blackwell made a couple of changes to his side with Chris Morgan returning to the side in place of the suspended Matt Kilgallon. Danny Webber came into the side in place of Billy Sharp who was on the substitute’s bench. Southampton had five changes with most notably Stern John, Bradley-Wright Phillips and Simon Gillett returning to the starting eleven. The first chance went to United in the fourth minute when James Beattie raced through on goal, but Olly Lancashire got across well to block and Andrew Surman was able to clear again from Brian Howard's subsequent corner. Saints goalkeeper Kelvin Davis was called into action three minutes later, pulling off an acrobatic save to deny Stephen Quinn, who had run onto David Cotterill's through-ball, as the visitors, weathered the early Blades pressure. Then Southampton had a speculative chance when Surman delivered a free-kick, and Lancashire’s header was claimed by Paddy Kenny in the United goal. A long-range Webber effort went wide of the mark, and both sides continued to give up possession as the game became disjointed. The Saints first opening came on the quarter hour, as Joseph Mills surged down the left flank and delivered a ball across the Blades box. John was bearing down on goal, but Morgan was well placed to hook the ball clear of danger. After 22 minutes, Wright-Phillips shot just over the bar from just to the right of the penalty spot with the ball deflecting off Gary Naysmith on its way out. Rudi Skacel then also tried his luck from further out on the half hour mark, but his effort went wide of the right-hand post. The highlight of a dour first-half for United was when Kyle Naughton ran 80-yards down the right flank jinking past several Saints players before the move broke down on the edge of the visitor’s 18 yard box. Blades boss Blackwell made a double switch at the start of the second half, with Anthony Stokes and Matthew Spring replacing Gary Speed and Cotterill. United switched to a more attacking 4-3-3 formation with Webber on the right. And it certainly made a difference as United began to force their visitors back, with wave after wave of attacks. Just two minutes into the half and a corner from Howard was met by Stokes and Mills was forced to clear off the line. Then Lancashire cleared from Spring's effort. At the other end, Mills forced a save from Kenny with a low shot at the near post, whilst Naughton raced into the Saints box and forced a parry from Davis. Stokes pulled a shot wide of the near post and for the Saints, John headed just over from a Surman corner. On 52 minutes, the Referee booked Lancashire for a late tackle on Quinn. But, United continued to put the Saints goal under siege, and Webber was a constant threat down the right causing Skacel problems throughout the half. Davis pushed away a 20 yard strike from Beattie after the Blades striker had been supplied by Quinn. After 61 minutes, Stokes found the back of the net and it looked a good goal to most on the Shoreham Kop but the linesman was flagging for offside. The referee and his bungling linesmen were having a wretched night. All sorts of odd decisions were been given (most against United!) and the Kop chanted ‘you don’t know what your doing’ as the referee struggled to keep up with the frantic action.
With most of the action taking place in the Saints half, the visitors were content to soak up the pressure and wait their time. They did half a couple of chances in quick succession, first, Wright-Phillips shot and Kenny pushed the ball around the post and soon after, Adam Lallana went close with a low shot which Kenny saved. At the other end, Ugo Ehiogu's header was cleared off the line, Webber's cross deflected off Skacel and struck the outside of a post and Howard attempted a deft chip from 30 yards, which Davis easily caught. David McGoldrick replaced Mills on 68 minutes for Southampton, and Lloyd James came on for Wright-Phillips. Eleven minutes from time, Naughton cut inside onto his left foot and powered an effort which Davis saved at full-stretch pushing the ball around the post. Stokes had an effort deflected into the side-netting and then a looping header from Morgan was just wide. With just two minute remaining Southampton had a player sent-off. From a long downfield ball, Beattie headed on and Webber was brought down inches outside the area by Lancashire, who was dismissed for his second bookable offence. Southampton constructed a nine man wall which included Ehiogu, who had placed himself just inside the right side of wall. Beattie stepped up and blasted straight at the wall, almost pol- axing one unlucky saints player. Southampton managed to see out the remainder of added time and left the Lane with a point. United will be looking to get three points against Preston at the weekend. We need to win our home games.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Southampton: Kenny 6, Naughton 7, Morgan 6, Ehiogu 6, Naysmith 6, Cotterill 6,Spring 7, Speed 5, Stokes 7, Howard 6, Quinn 6, Beattie 6, Webber 7.

19th October Blades manager Kevin Blackwell felt referee Mike Dean was wrong to send off United defender Matt Kilgallon in the season's first Steel City derby. Kilgallon was harshly shown a straight red card by Dean in the 28th minute of the Championship clash at Hillsborough for lifting his foot into Wednesday midfielder Sean McAllister's back, a decision Blades manager Kevin Blackwell labelled "pathetic". It was a clumsy challenge but not malicious, and United faced an uphill struggle with 10 men from then. Steve Watson's brilliant lobbed volley settled an incident-packed derby clash in the Owls' favour. Blackwell said: "We didn't get the breaks today that mattered, but I'm proud of the lads. "I don't think we got any decision that mattered. I'm afraid if you talk about referees you get fined these days and I'm only a poor manager, so I can't talk about referees. "Not just the sending off. There were other fouls that have gone on in the game that were blatant and he's missed them. "If that's a sending off we might as well pack up and go home. "There was no malicious intent there. If he's to take a booking, fair enough, but that was pathetic. "I've no complaints with the players, they gave me everything and we still had them hanging on at the end and that's all you can ask for when you're down to 10 men."

19th October Sheffield Wednesday 1 Sheffield United 0 (Attendance: 30,441)

Blades Line-up: Kenny, Naughton, Kilgallon, Ehiogu, Naysmith, Cotterill (Morgan 29), Speed, Howard (Stokes 67), Quinn, Beattie, Sharp (Webber 58).

Subs Not Used: Jihai, Spring.

Sent Off: Kilgallon (27 - straight red for violent conduct).

Booked: Naysmith 82, Speed 46, Ehiogu 90+5.

Man of The Match: Kyle Naughton.

Owls Line-up: Grant, McMahon, Beevers, Wood, Spurr, McAllister, Watson, O'Connor (Esajas 78), Johnson (Sodje 68), Burton (Jeffers 82), Tudgay.
Subs Not Used: Smith, Buxton.

Sent Off: Johnson (68 - second bookable offence).

Booked: O'Connor 40, Johnson 57, Sodje 90+5.

Scorer: Watson 35.

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral).

United lost the first steel city derby of the season 0-1 in an explosive encounter with Wednesday at Hillsborough. A goal by Steve Watson in the first half gave the Owls victory which had been helped by an atrocious refereeing decision, and so gave the home side an extra man advantage for the most of the match. Kevin Blackwell made just one change to his team with Brian Howard handed his full debut at the expense of Danny Webber, with Stephen Quinn on the left side of midfield. New loan signing Anthony Stokes joined Chris Morgan amongst the substitutes.
Brian Laws made two changes with Jermaine Johnson starting on the left wing in place of Etienne Esajas. Richard Wood returned to the centre of defence, leaving Watson free to move into midfield. The match kicked off in with a cracking atmosphere and United we the first on the attack. James O'Connor fouled Quinn right on the edge of the box but Howard's free-kick was charged down by the Owls wall, and David Cotterill had the rebound blocked. Wednesday responded with a corner taken by Watson and his in-swinger was missed by several Owls players and went beyond the far post. Minutes later, O'Connor's effort was deflected from goal by Matt Kilgallon, before the same player fired a long range effort over the crossbar. The Owls continued the brighter of the sides and after 17 minutes, O'Connor won possession in midfield and picked out Johnson's run down the left channel. The winger blasted his shot high into the Leppings Lane stand much to the delight of the Unitedies behind the goal. Then, Cotterill found space down the right for United, and sent over a low cross that Mark Beevers came close to putting into his own goal putting the ball over the crossbar. After 28 minutes, the referee completely ruined the match after over reacting to a high challenge by Killgallon on Sean McAllister. The correct decision should have been a yellow, in a derby match of such a high tempo, these types of challenges are to be expected, but the referee – who is used to controlling methodical Premiership games, over reacted and produced a straight red. Morgan came on in place of Cotterill as Kevin Blackwell was forced to shuffle his side. The Blades switched to a three man midfield, and Morgan slotted in at the back. Ugo Ehiogu almost headed United into the lead but his effort from Howard's free-kick went narrowly over goalkeeper Lee Grant's crossbar. After 35 minutes, Wednesday made the extra man advantage count, a lofted ball from O'Connor was headed clear by Morgan, but Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny had already rushed off his line and Watson lifted the ball over Kenny and into the net. A Gary Naysmith free-kick was headed down by James Beattie, and just after, Billy Sharp was blocked by Grant in the Wednesday goal. Just before the break, Beever’s headed Watson's free kick wide, and O'Connor fired just past Kenny's right-hand post after being supplied by Johnson. United came out for the second half a different side and started to cause problems for the Owls defence. Beattie crossed from the right side and Wood’s header thwarted the on-rushing Sharp. The Owls were awarded a penalty in the 54th minute when Gary Speed felled O'Connor. Deon Burton stepped up to take the spot kick but Kenny dived low to his right and parried the ball away to safety. After 58 minutes, Danny Webber replaced Sharp and United continued to force the initiative despite being a man short. Beattie headed Naysmith's cross over, while Burton did likewise at the other end from O'Connor's corner. United introduced new signing Stokes for Howard, and Wednesday brought on Akpo Sodje for Johnson. But the Owls substitution sparked more controversy as Johnson showed dissent on the sidelines and saw an earlier yellow card upgraded to red. And after a lengthy delay, Stoke supplied Beattie and he drilled a low shot which beat Grant, but went past the post. Naysmith fouled Sodje, and United were caught out when Owls substitute Francis Jeffers lashed a fierce drive that went into the Kop. Stokes beat Tony McMahon down the left channel and sent the perfect ball over for Speed, who miss-kicked from a central position six yards out with the goal at his mercy. Six minutes of injury time was added but to no avail. The Blades had been beaten by an overzealous referee today. A hollow victory for the home side and it will be reversed next February.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Owls: Kenny 6, Naughton 7, Kilgallon 6, Ehiogu 6, Naysmith 6, Cotterill 6, Morgan 6, Speed, 6, Howard 7, Stokes 7, Quinn 6, Beattie 6, Sharp 6, Webber 6.

17th October United have snapped up Sunderland forward Anthony Stokes on a three-month loan deal. Stokes has struggled for first-team football at Sunderland this season and has made just two substitute appearances in the Premier League. He also came off the bench to score twice against Northampton Town last month to keep the Black Cats in the League Cup. However, Sunderland boss Roy Keane recently admitted he was prepared to allow the Republic of Ireland international out on loan. The former Arsenal youngster has agreed to join the Blades and Bramall Lane chief Kevin Blackwell is happy with the deal. "He will give us more options on the left-hand side, especially as we have got a few injury niggles," Blackwell said. "He has also played in the hole and gives us great cover right across the frontline."

6th October Manager Kevin Blackwell believes his recent decision to drop David Cotterill has been fully justified. The Blades manager, who made Cotterill a permanent summer signing after a loan spell, left the winger out of his 16-man squad for two matches. However, the Wales international was recalled to the side for the 3-0 victory over Bristol City and responded by setting up both of James Beattie's goals. Blackwell said: "I think we can give people a shot across the bows occasionally to let them know that they have to play at their top level all the time because of the competition we have in the squad. "Before David was left out I explained why. I didn't just leave him in the dark. "We discussed things and I let him know what I thought so that he could work on the areas that he needed to improve on to earn a recall."

4th October Sheffield United 3 Bristol City 0 (Attendance: 24,712)

Blades Line-up: Kenny, Naysmith, Kilgallon, Naughton, Ehiogu, Cotterill (Howard 75), Webber (Dyer 81), Speed, Quinn, Beattie, Sharp.
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Jihai, Spring.

Booked: Quinn.

Scorers: Beattie 45, Fontaine 56 og, Beattie 69.

Man of The Match: James Beattie.

Bristol City Line-up: Basso, Orr, McAllister, Carey, Fontaine, McIndoe, Wilson (Trundle 59), Elliott, Johnson, Adebola, Akinde (Maynard 65).
Subs Not Used: Weale, Noble, Webster.

Booked: McAllister, Orr.

Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).

James Beattie hit a brace as Sheffield United condemned Bristol City to a 3-0 defeat at the Lane. Ugo Ehiogu returned to the Blades starting line-up at the expense the injured Chris Morgan and David Cotterill replaced injured Greg Halford on the right wing. New signing Brian Howard was named on the bench. John Akinde returned to the starting line-up for the Robins, and linked up with Dele Adebola in attack. United started spritely with Stephen Quinn testing Adriano Basso in the visitors goal with a half-volley. And soon after, Akinde found Adebola, and he crossed for Marvin Elliott. But the midfielder's diving header went into the arms of Paddy Kenny in the Blades goal. Billy Sharp fired a shot over from 25 yards, before providing an assist to Quinn's low curling shot which Basso held. Then, Quinn hit a first-time effort which Basso saved. After 42 minutes, Cotterill raced past Michael McIndoe and Jamie McAllister to the edge of the Robins penalty area. The Blades winger then found Sharp, but the striker mis-hit his shot and Bradley Orr cleared. United had played the better football overall, but in truth both sides were struggling in the gusting wind and rain, and it looked as though the half would end goalless. But after two minutes of injury-time had been added the Blades grabbed the lead. It came from a botched throw out by Basso in the Bristol City goal. The error handed possession back to the Blades, who earned a corner from the boot of midfielder Lee Johnson. And from Cotterill's corner kick, Beattie was centrally positioned on the edge of the Robbins 18 yard box and spectacularly powerfull volley beyond Basso for the opener. Blades defender Matt Kilgallon managed to make Adebola shoot wide soon after half-time, before the visitors were again on the back foot. Quinn's shot deflected into the path of Beattie and his low angled drive was palmed away by Basso. On 55 minutes, Orr's long throw-in was flicked on for Marvin Elliott to head over from a couple of yards out. And from United’s next attack they made it 2-0. Quinn's delivered an in-swinging free kick into a crowed box, and Gary Speed and Kilgallon went for their headers, but defender Liam Fontaine managed to head the ball over Basso, and into his own goal. Bristol City made two substitutions soon after, on the hour Lee Trundle came on for Brian Wilson, and Nicky Maynard was next to enter the attack six minutes later replacing fellow striker Akinde. The change made no difference to the pattern of play, and United's dominance continued when they made it 3-0 soon after. Cotterill delivered a corner in front of the Shoreham Kop, and Beattie unmarked made no mistake with a firm header from close range . The visitors had a rare chance when Michael McIndoe's powerful free-kick was well held by Kenny in the United goal. Howard was given a rousing reception as he entered the game after 75 minutes, and he almost sealed his debut with a shot which went wide from a couple of yards out, following a superb cross from Beattie. Howard was again involved in the action again when he started a move that involded neat work from Gary Naysmith and Kylie Naughton, and ended when Beattie’s low from the right was put just wide by the sprawling Sharp on the far post. Fontaine almost made amends for his own goal when he headed Trundle's cross towards the net, but Beattie was present again and produced a goal-line clearance for the Blades. Bramall Lane was in full voice towards the end of the match, and late on Howard tried his luck from about 25 yards out and fired over. United are now up to 4th place in the Championship after this empathic win. Up the Blades!

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Bristol City: Kenny 6, Naysmith 7, Kilgallon 7, Naughton 7, Ehiogu 8, Cotterill 7, Howard 7, Dyer 6, Speed 8, Quinn 6, Webber 6, Beattie 9, Sharp 7.

1st October United have signed Barnsley midfielder Brian Howard on loan with a view to a permanent deal when the transfer window reopens. Howard was left out of the Reds squad last weekend, leading to speculation that he would be leaving the club and after protracted talks between the two clubs, the move has now been confirmed.A statement on the Barnsley official website read: "The club have agreed a loan fee of £200,000 for the services of Brian Howard and a further £300,000 will be paid when his transfer is completed in due course. "Other improved conditional payments have been agreed based on Sheffield United's original offer, including sell-on arrangements."

7th October United have unveiled plans to redevelop Bramall Lane and ultimately increase capacity to 40,000. The Blades initially want to add 3,200 seats to the Shoreham Kop end and later redevelop the South Stand with a view to possibly staging games in the event of a successful 2018 World Cup bid. Chief executive Jason Rockett said: "Over recent years we have upgraded supporters' facilities, have increased the capacity to just under 33,000 and seen the club become the best supported in the Championship. "We continue to plan for the medium to long-term, putting in place the infrastructure to support a growing fan base and with an intention of achieving our main objective, promotion and sustained Premier League football. "We have also taken a longer-term view and identified the opportunities around the south stand which would enable Sheffield and Bramall Lane to be a part of any 2018 bid."

1st October Keith Gillespie has been told he has no future at United after he reportedly fell out with Blades manager Kevin Blackwell.

Blackwell has told the 33-year-old to look for another club after the pair fell out over Gillespie's omission from the first-team squad. Blackwell's assistant Sam Ellis said: "Keith is not in the squad at the moment and I would think that will continue to be the case. He has been told that he is free to look for another club. "He is an experienced pro who feels that he would be better off somewhere else and that is the end of the matter. We don't want to air our dirty linen in public." Gillespie, whose only appearance this season has been as a last-minute substitute against Coventry, missed the start of the campaign after damaging ankle ligaments in a pre-season friendly at Bury. The former Manchester United, Newcastle and Blackburn winger arrived at Bramall Lane on a free transfer from Leicester in the summer of 2005 and has made over 100 appearances.