Kevin Blackwell was furious after a disputed own goal contributed to his side's FA Cup exit at the hands of Hull. The Blades were beaten 2-1 in their fifth-round replay at the KC Stadium on Thursday night after Kyle Naughton was adjudged to have headed into his own net. Naughton misdirected his header as he tried to clear behind his own line and watched in horror as it thundered against the bar and bounced down onto the line. A flag was quickly raised and the goal given but replays were inconclusive and Blackwell claimed the decision should never have been made. "We have lost a game we haven't lost," Blackwell said. "That's one for the record books isn't it? "The first goal isn't a goal. They can stand here and try to persuade me until they are blue in the face, but that isn't a goal. "The official has made a decision and he is not 100% sure - that is what is the disgrace. "Somehow we have lost and I don't know why it is." The Blades managed to claim an equaliser through Billy Sharp after Naughton's 24th-minute blunder but Peter Halmosi settled the game in Hull's favour after the break. There was further controversy, however, with United denied a penalty after Sharp was deemed to have tripped by Kamil Zayatte. Blackwell added: "I think when officials have as poor a game as that they should be made to face the reporters, as we are, and asked why those decisions are made. "They are key decisions - managers can lose their jobs over them. "Fortunately we are in a good position but, if I was hanging on for dear life, that could have cost me my job. "I have got a family and kids and that's what I find a disgrace. I'm frustrated."
Blades Line-up: Kenny, Naughton, Morgan, Walker, Naysmith (Sun 88), Cotterill, Howard, Stephen Quinn, Hendrie (Tahar 90), Halford, Sharp.
Man of The Match: Gary Naysmith.
Hull City Line-up: Myhill, Doyle, Turner, Zayatte, Ricketts, Mendy, France, Marney, Halmosi, Barmby (Garcia 73), Folan (Manucho 65).
Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).
A controversial own goal by Kyle Naughton and a Péter Halmosi strike handed Hull a 2-1 FA Cup win at home to United.
Hull took the lead for the first time in the fifth-round tie when Kyle Naughton was ruled to have headed into his own net after 23 minutes of the KC Stadium replay. TV replays showed that the ball never crossed the line and, despite a 32nd-minute equaliser from Billy Sharp, there was no repreive as Halmosi settled affairs 11 minutes into the second half. It was a spirited effort from the Blades, who were again depleted by injuries and could only name five substitutes on their bench. The Blades almost grabbed the lead after four minutes when Greg Halford, again deployed as a makeshift striker, almost repeated his early goalscoring feat from the 1-1 draw between the sides at the Lane. Halford met a looping cross from Brian Howard with a firm header but could not direct his effort on target. Hull, having made seven changes themselves, responded well and threatened to make the Blades pay for the miss in a strong 15-minute spell that saw Naughton, in particular, endure a torrid time. First, Halmosi broke clear of England Under-21 international and fizzed in a dangerous cross but Nick Barmby volleyed powerfully over. Hull had another chance from a Halmosi corner but Kamil Zayatte headed wide.
Caleb Folan rose to meet another Hull corner, this time taken by captain for the night Dean Marney, but was also off-target.
Naughton was then fortunate to escape being sent off after 18 minutes when he bundled over the onrushing Halmosi on the edge of the box after a fine through-ball from Marney. The Referee showed only a yellow card and Marney drove the resulting free-kick into the wall.
Moments later the Tigers grabbed the lead. Naughton appeared in little danger as he positioned himself under Nathan Doyle's cross but his backward header thundered against the bar, bounced onto the line then struck the woodwork again.
Had goalline technology been used, he might have got away with it but a flag was quickly raised and the goal given. To their credit, the Blades responded positively and were back level just eight minutes later. Halford was again involved as his cross from the right was headed back by Lee Hendrie and then stabbed home from close range by Billy Sharp. Sharp was unfairly booked for supposedly diving shortly before the interval after going down under the challenge of Zayatte in the area. Hull looked to reassert their authority early in the second half with Barmby hooking wide from a corner.
They got their noses back in front in the 56th minute when Doyle combined on the right with Barmby and the former England man crossed for Halmosi.
The Hungary international timed his run well and slid forward to divert the ball across Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny and in at the far post.
Barmby looked to inflict further damage but slipped as he threatened to break clear and Bernard Mendy headed over from a Sam Ricketts cross.
Folan, who appeared to be limping, left the field after 65 minutes and was replaced by Manucho. United had plenty of possession in the closing minutes as Hull failed to kill the game off convincingly but were unable to make the breakthrough. Kenny ventured forward for a stoppage-time corner but to no avail.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Hull City: Kenny 7 , Naughton 6 , Morgan 6 , Walker 7 , Naysmith 7 , Sun - , Cotterill 6 , Howard 7 , Quinn 6 , Hendrie 7 , Halford 6 , Sharp 7 , Tahar -
United have signed John-Joe O'Toole on loan from Watford until the end of the season.The Republic of Ireland Under 21 international's arrival at Bramall Lane ends Blades manager Kevin Blackwell's search for midfield reinforcements. O'Toole has made 66 appearances for Watford since making his debut at the start of last season, and has scored 12 goals for the club. He had netted eight times for the Championship strugglers this term, including the Hornets' goal in a 2-1 defeat at Bramall Lane back in September. Watford boss Brendan Rodgers revealed during the January transfer window that he was hoping to keep O'Toole at Vicarage Road, despite the club's financial predicament.
Blades Line-up: Kenny, Naughton, Kilgallon (Bromby 75), Morgan, Naysmith, Halford, Quinn, Montgomery, Cotterill, Lupoli (Beattie 55), Webber (Ward 73).
Man of The Match: Gary Naysmith.
Plymouth Line-up: Larrieu, Gray, Cathcart, Barker, Sawyer, Judge (Paterson 73), Fletcher, Duguid, Mackie (Barnes 86), Fallon, Gallagher (Noone 86).
Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire).
Sheffield United battled back twice to gain a well deserved draw against Plymouth at Home Park. Blades manager Kevin Blackwell made three changes to his side. Arturo Lupoli, Danny Webber and Kylie Naughton were all recalled but Craig Beattie, Jamie Ward, and Billy Sharp had to be content with places on the bench. Greg Halford moved into a central attacking role alongside Lupoli. While Chris Morgan, who had been thought to be out for three games, made a surprise appearance in the centre of defence. Pilgrims manager Paul Sturrock made four changes to his starting line-up with David Gray and Chris Barker in defence. Loan signing Carl Fletcher joined Karl Duguid in a four man midfield. Another loan signing, Paul Gallagher partnered Rory Fallon in place of Steve MacLean in attack. The first serious shot of the day came from Webber after eight minutes but was wide. Plymouth right-back Gray was forced to head over his own crossbar to prevent the threat of Matt Kilgallon, whilst from the resulting David Cotterill corner, the Blades defender headed over after Morgan had nodded back into the danger area. The home fans thought they should have had a penalty after 16 minutes when Jamie Mackie was attempting to get on the end of a Gallagher pass when he went down while being challenged by Nick Montgomery, but the referee waved for play to continue. Then, Webber was at the centre of three Blades attacks, any of which, on another day, might have been productive. He provided a header for Lupoli, and then had two shots which were stopped by Plymouth goalkeeper Romain Larrieu. The first from about 18 yards out and then was unable to connect properly with Steophen Quinn’s low driven cross from the left side. The Pilgrims responded with a couple of long-range attempts which came within inches of taking the lead. Welsh midfielder Fletcher found Alan Judge on the right wing, and he cut inside and fired off a low shot that beat Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny but rebounded back into play from the foot of the post. Plymouth had the ball in the back of the Blades net at the start of the second half start when Mackie blasted past Kenny, but the referee had already blown for a foul by Fallon on Kilgallon. A few minutes later, the home side did take the lead. It came from a Gallagher corner on the left side, which he swung in and was helped on by Gary Sawyer. The ball dropped for Fletcher who was unmarked in the United 18 yard box and he crashed the ball into the top of the net from a tight angle. Blades striker Lupoli fired a half-volley wide and it was his last contribution as he made way for debutant Beattie. Defender Chris Barker blocked an effort from Webber, and then Cotterill had a shot easily saved by Larrieu. After 63 minutes the Blades got an equaliser. Pilgrims keeper Larrieu scuffed his goal kick only as far as the centre-circle, where last-man Barker was caught by surprise. Webber nipped in for the ball and ran in to slip it neatly past Larrieu. Just seven minutes after the equaliser, Plymouth were awarded a throw-in on the left, enabling them to retake the lead. Gary Sawyer’s throw-in was nodded down by Fallon to Gallagher, and he curled the ball into the bottom corner. The home side’s lead lasted two minutes before the Blades were back level again. Gary Naysmith was awarded a free-kick on the left side, and from his delivery Halford found unmarked, and he headed past Larrieu at the far post. There was a flurry of substitutions in the final 15 minutes, but in the end, both sides seemed to be content with holding on to a point.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Plymouth: Kenny 6 , Naughton 7 , Kilgallon 6 , Bromby 6 , Morgan 7 , Naysmith 8 , Quinn 7 , Montgomery 7 , Cotterill 6 , Webber 8 , Ward 6 , Halford 7 , Lupoli 6 , Beattie 6 .
United have bolstered their squad with the signing of Craig Beattie on loan until the end of the season. The 25-year-old striker was down the pecking order at West Brom, who have agreed to let him leave. Beattie, who spent time on loan with Crystal Palace earlier this season, has signed in time to be considered for Saturday's clash at Plymouth. Blades manager Kevin Blackwell was delighted to land Beattie. "Craig is a Scottish international and a player with a proven track record at this level," said Blackwell. "He gives us much-needed reinforcement for the run-in."
Manager Kevin Blackwell has praised defender Greg Halford's versatility after his side's 1-1 draw with Hull City in the FA Cup fifth round.
The 24-year-old was forced to switch from striker to centre-half on 30 minutes after captain Chris Morgan was stretchered off with a knee injury. Halford could find himself at the heart of the Blades' defence for some time yet as the club waits to see how serious Morgan's injury is. With fellow centre-backs Ugo Ehiogu ruled out for the season with a knee injury and Leigh Bromby ineligible for the FA Cup Blackwell is thankful for Halford's versatility. "When I signed Greg we knew he could provide cover in a variety of positions. He is a lad who can frustrate you at times," he told the Yorkshire Post . "He is daft as a brush and sometimes he needs a kick up the backside. I just asked him to look at himself and realise what talent he had. "Sometimes you have to warn people not to waste what they have"
Blades Line-up: Kenny, Sun (Naughton 60), Morgan (Webber 31), Kilgallon, Naysmith, Cotterill, Montgomery, Quinn, Hendrie (Howard 73), Halford, Sharp.
Man of The Match: Greg Halford.
Hull Line-up: Myhill, Ricketts, Turner, Gardner, Dawson, Mendy (France 88), Marney, Zayatte, Garcia (Manucho 79), Geovanni (Barmby 73), Folan.
Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).
Sheffield United and Hull City will have to do it all again after a 1-1 draw in their FA Cup fifth round tie at Bramall Lane.
United's performance was just what they needed after stuttering in their promotion push over the past month. The game marked the first anniversary of Kevin Blackwell's appointment as Blades manager. Blackwell made five changes from the derby disappointment last weekend. Chris Morgan had recovered from a thigh strain to replace the cup-tied Leigh Bromby, and Billy Sharp had returned in attack for the cup-tied Arturo Lupoli. Danny Webber, Brian Howard, and Kyle Naughton dropped to the bench as Lee Hendrie, Sun Jihai, and David Cotterill retruend to the line-up. Hull manager Phil Brown had taken his players away last week for warm weather training in Dubai. Brown made four changes to a side that drew 0-0 at Chelsea in the Premier League seven days earlier. The most significant saw the return of defender Anthony Gardner who had made only three appearances due to injury since his summer arrival. Boaz Myhill, Bernard Mendy and Caleb Folan were also included in the Tigers side. Both teams oozed passion and aggression and the game proved to be a classic FA Cup encounter. Blades were clearly relishing the tie and were soon on to the attack with Greg Halford firing a cross into the box which evaded everyone. The Tigers had their first opportunity when Dean Marney fired over. Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny took the resulting goal kick short and was then quickly closed down by winger Mendy as he received the ball back. The pair collided and Mendy was booked after the unsighted referee acted on an assistant's flag. The Blades grabbed the lead in the seventh minute after Hull left-back Andy Dawson slipped and allowed Cotterill to cross and Halford out jumped Sam Ricketts at the far post to plant a firm header past the recalled Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill. Hull responded with Richard Garcia heading over from a Dawson corner. Geovanni beat several tackles as he attempted to pull Hull back into contention with a strong run but was finally halted on the edge of the area. At the other end Halford could have had a second after breaking clear of a Hull defence but shot straight at Myhill. The Tigers had a second player booked after Michael Turner was penalised for leading with the arm in a challenge on Morgan. It proved Morgan's last meaningful involvement as he left the field shortly after for treatment on what looked like a knee injury. After a short period playing with 10 men it became apparent he was unable to return and Webber was sent on as Morgan was wheeled away on a stretcher. Hull took advantage and levelled in the 34th minute when Dawson delivered a curling free-kick from the right and Zayatte got forward to glance a header past Kenny. United went close to regaining the lead in first-half stoppage time when Sharp headed wide from another Cotterill cross.
Hull appealed for a penalty early in the second half after Caleb Folan was released by a brilliant back-heel from Geovanni and went down as Halford challenged. The referee was not interested but Hull had another good opportunity moments later as Ricketts crossed but keeper Kenny parried Garcia's header. The Blades counter attacked swiftly with Cotterill again finding space on the right but his cross was put behind for a corner. Myhill was also required to save bravely at the feet of Halford. Garcia then claimed to be tripped by Sun as the game opened up but again Marriner played on. Mendy got in a shot but Kenny turned the ball away for a corner. United were forced to play with 10 again for a second time when Halford needed a facial wound bandaged up. Mendy attempted to unpick the Blades defence but substitute Manucho was unable to make the most of an opportunity in the area.
The game began to peter out with neither side able to find a way through in the final 10 minutes. The sides will now meet again for a place in the last eight a week on Thursday.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Hull City: Kenny 6 , Sun 6 , Naughton 6 , Morgan 6 , Webber 6 , Kilgallon 7 , Naysmith 6 , Cotterill 7 , Montgomery 6 , Quinn 6 , Hendrie 7 , Howard 6 , Halford 8 , Sharp 6 .
Kevin Blackwell has defended his decisions to replace Arturo Lupoli, Brian Howard and Danny Webber during Saturday's derby defeat.
The substitutions of debutant goalscorer Lupoli and Howard in particular were met with loud jeers from Blades fans during their first defeat to the Owls at Bramall Lane since 1967. Blackwell said: "Arturo's not played a lot of late, so I just said to him just give me as much as you can. "(Danny) Webber had to play a shift up on his own at Southampton for 65 minutes, so again we said just give me what you can and we'll change it when you think you're ready, so we did that. "You'd be accused of not trying things if you don't put anybody on. We had to just try different things and it just didn't work. It didn't come off. "(Billy) Sharp and (Jamie) Ward had a bit of combination play when they came on and Sharpy did terrifically when he got round the side and put a great ball in, but we just weren't bright enough to get on the end of it."
Blades Line-up: Kenny, Naughton, Bromby, Kilgallon, Naysmith, Halford, Howard (Hendrie 78), Montgomery, Quinn, Webber (Sharp 73), Lupoli (Ward 52).
Man of The Match: Arturo Lupoli.
Owls Line-up: Grant, Buxton, Wood, Beevers, Spurr, Johnson (Watson 89), Potter, O'Connor, Gray, Clarke, Tudgay.
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).
United finally lost their 95 year double record over Wednesday in a explosive match at Bramall Lane. The Blades were well below their best today, and The Owls seized their opportunity winning 2-1. Brian Laws side enjoyed a 1-0 success on home soil earlier this season and were indebted to Marcus Tudgay's stunning goal which clinched their first win at the Lane in over 40 years. Kevin Blackwell made just one, enforced, change following the midweek win at Southampton. With Darious Henderson suspended, new loan striker Arturo Lupoli was handed a debut, leaving Jamie Ward and Billy Sharp on the bench. The Owls started with the side that gained a point against Birmingham last time out, with the bench also showing the same personnel. But there was but there was no return to the bench for striker Akpo Sodje, out since November with a knee injury. The game kicked of with a deafening atmosphere inside the ground, and the Owls made an amazing start by taking the lead inside the first minute after Tommy Spurr lashed home a shot from the edge of the box. Full-back Spurr was allowed to advance into the penalty area to shoot past goalkeeper Paddy Kenny following support from James O'Connor and Michael Gray on the right wing.
But the lead did not last long and four minutes later the Blades were level. Greg Halford launched in a long throw that evaded the out rushing Owls goalkeeper Lee Grant, and Lupoli's flicked header just crossed the line to haul United level. The Blades continued to force the Owls back and Nick Montgomery lashed a fierce volley that flew past the post before Leigh Bromby’s left-footed strike almost found the target after he found space in on the edge of the 18 yard box. United continued to ask most of the questions and it took a last-ditch tackle by Mark Beevers to deny Danny Webber as the latter was about to pull the trigger from ten yards. Centre-back Beevers blocked from Montgomery and Leon Clarke almost got on the end of a Michael Gray cross. But just as the Blades threatened to take a real grip on the game, Wednesday took the lead right out of the blue on 29 minutes.
Brian Howard was caught in possession and after the ball was shifted up field early, Matt Kilgallon's header was seized upon by Tudgay. From just inside the Blades half Tudgay took possession on the right flank and after advancing ten yards, stuck shot a 25 year shot that whistled past Kenny and nestled into the top corner of the net. The goal stunned United and they tried to instantly hit back. Halford launched another long throw and Stephen Quinn's shot was blocked by Beevers, then Montgomery fired wide after had Lupoli caused problems. From an Owls corner, United broke away but the move ended with Halford striking left-footed at the goalkeeper. The Owls offered more cutting edge towards the final third with Tudgay and Jermaine Johnson causing real problems for the Blades back line throughout, showing neat passing movements. Wednesday almost doubled their advantage five minutes after the restart. Tudgay headed on a throw-in and big striker Clarke's volley from 10 yards smashed back off the post with Kenny beaten. The game continued its frantic nature at both ends, with the Blades shading possession without posing a genuine threat to Grant. As the second half unfolded with the Blades struggling to penetrate a firm Wednesday rearguard, chances were few. The Owls were content to sit back and attack on the break and the tactic was proving effective for them. The Lane faithful were getting frustrated with the long ball forward from the back which was being easy stopped by Wednesday's giant defenders. The fans wanted to see United play with width and use the flanks, but it was route one thoughout ‘lump it forward’ football. A change was needed and much to the disgust of the Shoreham Kop and the other terraces Blackwell decided to remove Lupoli, who had possibly been United’s best performer, this brought howls of derision from the Kop. Ward was the Italian striker’s replacement. Considering that the Owls back line were 'giants' standing at six feet plus, it seemed odd to bring on a striker stood just five and a half feet tall, especially when United had been playing the direct ball forward for most of the match! Wednesday were picking up bookings trying to stem United's attacks, and the Blades were committing more and more players to offensive positions, even Killgallon was making flurries down the left wing. Ward headed wide from six yards out after Halford's cross, but this was one of few real chances on the Owls goal. Billy Sharp replaced Webber, and Lee Hendrie was brought on after 78 minutes for a disappointing Howard in the centre of midfield with Blades fans hoping he would add a bit of flair to open up the Owls. It almost paid off as he played in Ward but the ball was taken off the striker's foot by Gray. United fought desperately to find a route back into the game, but the Wednesday defence protected Grant well. Sharp brought the best out of keeper Grant right at the last but try as United did, they could not get through. So Wednesday finally do the ‘double’ over United and its taken them long enough to accomplish this. The Blades have been ‘doing the double’ over the Owls at regular intervals over the years, so let them have their moment of celebration; they don’t get much to cheer about at S6. We must now focus on promotion. If we win promotion, all the ‘bragging rights’ from these derbies will mean nothing. Its promotion to the Premier League which matters now for us Blades, so focus on this and get behind the team for the remainder of the season.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Wednesday: Kenny 5 , Naughton 6 , Bromby 5 , Kilgallon 6 , Naysmith 5 , Halford 6 , Howard 5 , Hendrie 6 , Montgomery 6 , Quinn 5 , Webber 5 , Sharp 6 , Lupoli 7 , Ward 5 .
Blades Line-up: Kenny, Halford, Bromby, Kilgallon, Naysmith, Howard, Montgomery, Naughton, Quinn, Henderson, Webber (Ward 86).
Sent Off: Henderson (40).
Man of The Match: Leigh Bromby.
Southampton Line-up: Davis, James, Saeijs, Perry, Surman, Lallana, Wotton (Schneiderlin 77), Gillett (Wright-Phillips 46), McLaggon (Euell 67), Saganowski, McGoldrick.
Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).
Jamie Ward pounced deep into injury time to earn 10-man Sheffield United a vital 2-1 win over relegation-threatened Southampton at St Mary's Stadium.
The Saints, who have now won just one of their 16 home games in the Championship this season, made a promising start and came close to taking the lead inside four minutes.
Young striker David McGoldrick fired in a shot which Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny pushed away for a corner and, from the resulting set-piece, experienced defender Chris Perry lifted his effort over the crossbar.
A minute later another move ended with Adam Lallana seeing his shot blocked by defender Matt Kilgallon before Darious Henderson drilled a shot wide from 20 yards. Brian Howard was also off target as the Blades began to get into the game.
The Saints created another opening after 15 minutes although Poland international Marek Saganowski failed to force Kenny into action. But United came close to opening their account but were denied on the line by Rudi Skácel who kicked away Brian Howard's shot with goalkeeper Kelvin Davis stranded yards from his line.
Greg Halford and Danny Webber were helping to form a three-pronged attack from wide when United had possession with Howard pushing up from behind and there were signs that they were getting to grips with the game.
And it paid dividends when the Blades went in front in the 35th minute through Halford. Howard swept the ball in from the right it was flighted perfectly for Halford to send a downward header just inside the left-hand post.
But disaster struck when Henderson was red-carded for retaliating and kicking Saeijs.
Southampton head coach Mark Wotte made a change at half-time with Bradley Wright-Phillips replacing Simon Gillett.
The move nearly paid off immediately as Wright-Phillips smashed a shot from 25 yards which Kenny parried and from the corner Saganowski headed Lallana's delivery over the bar.
The home side were now on top and Saeijs and Saganowski forced Kenny into saves in quick succession and the Pole also blazed a shot wide as they searched for the equaliser.
It was all one-way traffic and Kenny had to be at his best to keep the Blades ahead, his next save thwarting David McGoldrick from the edge of the penalty area in the 65th minute.
Webber fired a shot wide for the Blades but back came Southampton and after Surman was foiled by Kenny, Jason Euell should have done better than to blast an effort off target.
The Saints were doing everything they possibly could to get back on terms but McGoldrick, Wright-Phillips and Lallana also fired shots off target before more heroics from Kenny kept out Euell.
But no-one could have predicted the late drama which followed in the finale few minutes. A minute before time, when Surman blasted a volley into the roof of the net from about 10 yards to make it 1-1.
Euell shot just wide as the Saints went for the winner were stunned when Quinn threaded the ball througth to Blades substitute Ward who outpaced his man and slid a splendid angled shot into the far corner of the net for his first goal for United. So a superb victory when keeps the Blades in contention at the top of the table.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Southampton: Kenny 7 , Halford 7 , Bromby 8 , Kilgallon 7 , Naysmith 8 , Howard 7 , Montgomery 7 , Naughton 7 , Quinn 7 , Henderson 4 , Webber 8 , Ward -.