30th September Striker Richard Cresswell is poised for a permanent move to United after joining the Blades on a three-month loan deal.
Cresswell has joined the Championship side initially until the end of the year as cover for injured striker Jamie Ward with a view to making a full-time switch to Bramall Lane in January. The 32-year-old, who has also played for Sheffield Wednesday, has struggled to establish himself in Stoke's first team scoring 11 goals in 65 appearances since joining them two years ago and Potters boss Tony Pulis is happy to allow Cresswell to move on. Cresswell signed in time to make his Blades debut in Tuesday's thrilling 3-3 draw with Ipswich, coming off the bench for the last 14 minutes of the contest at the Lane.

29th September Sheffield United 3 Ipswich Town 3 (Attendance: 28,366)

Blades Line-up: Bunn, Walker, Taylor (Cresswell 76), Morgan, Kilgallon (Davies 33), Montgomery, Cotterill (Little 63), Harper, S. Quinn, Evans, Henderson.
Subs Not Used: Bennett, France, Reid, Stewart.

Scorers: Henderson 9, 77, Morgan 90.

Booked: Morgan 16, Taylor 38, Walker 54.

Man of The Match: Glenn Little.

Ipswich Line-up: R. Wright, McAuley, Leadbitter, Peters, Priskin (Stead 58), Walters (Counago 86), Rosenior, Edwards, A. Quinn (Martin 71), Smith, Trotter.

Subs Not Used: D. Wright, Balkestein, Colback, Lee-Barrett.

Scorers: Walters 24, Leadbitter 34, McAuley 70.

Booked: Priskin 26.

Referee: Eddie Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).

A goal in injury time saved United a point in a frustrating match against bottom of the table Ipswich. Ched Evans was back in the starting line up for the Blades with Alan Quinn moving to left midfield. A surprise was the inclusion of a late loan signing- Richard Creswell amongst the substitutes. The Tractor Boys made four changes to the side that went down to Newcastle on Saturday, Gareth McAuley returning and Alan Quinn and Jaime Peters back in the side.
The Blades got off to a tremendous start when their first serous attempt resulted in the opening goal. David Cotterill crossed from the right flank and Liam Rosenior failed to clear the danger, Evans shot was blocked and Town goalkeeper Richard Wright failed to deal with the ball in the air, Darious Henderson forcing the ball in from close range.

Chris Morgan picked up the first yellow card for a foul on Alan Quinn.  Alan's brother, Stephen, then tested Wright with a low shot which Wright pushed around the post, the Tamas Priskin shot wide at the other end. The visitors were back on level terms on 23 minutes, Carlos Edwards crossed and Jon Walters flicked the ball into the net via the post. Hungarian striker Priskin was yellow carded for a handball but it was Blues who began to dictate the play and Town were ahead on 33 minutes, Walters setting up Grant Leadbitter whose shot lacked real power but somehow slipped away from Blades goalkeeper Mark Bunn into the left corner of the net for a really soft goal.
Andrew Davies replaced the injured Matthew Kilgallon for United; Andy Taylor was booked for handball as Kevin Blackwell’s men struggled to gain the advantage away from Ipswich. The visitors should have extended the lead seconds before the break when Walters set up Alan Quinn but the Irishman fired over from a great position. Kyle Walker earned a third yellow card for Blades for a foul on Alan Quinn as the second-half got underway, with Ipswich making a first change with Jon Stead on for Priskin. The tall striker brought a save from Bunn within a minute of his arrival, while at the other end Wright did well to keep out a Stephen Quinn header. Leadbitter and Walters almost set up Stead, then, United made a second change with Glenn Little on for Cotterill just past the hour.
Wright punched clear from Evans as United searched for an equaliser but it was the Tractor Boys who struck with 20 minutes to go, slack marking thin the Blades box allows McAuley to easily power his header to perfection from a corner. Lee Martin replaced Quinn for the visitors and Cresswell came on for Andy Taylor. The Blades gave themselves a lifeline, when Henderson drove in his second goal after Cresswell had set him up on 77 minutes. Cresswell became the fourth United player to be booked for a foul on Rosenior, and Ipswich made a final change five minutes from time with Pablo Counago on for Walters.
United pilled forward looking for the third goal, and injury time Little delivered a corner from the left. The Ipswich keeper failed to collect, and Morgan at the far post crashed in a face saving equaliser for the Blades. James Harper almost won it for United with virtually the last kick of the game, his shot going just inches wide.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Ipswich: Bunn 5, Walker 5, Taylor 5, Kilgallon 5, Morgan 7, Davies 6, Montgomery 7, Cresswell 6, Little 8, Harper 6, Quinn 5, Cotterill 6, Evans 6, Henderson 7.

26th September Swansea City 2 Sheffield United 1 (Attendance: 14,324)

Blades Line-up: Bunn, Walker, Taylor (Reid 87), Morgan, Kilgallon, Montgomery, Harper, Quinn (Little 83), Cotterill, Treacy (Evans 28), Henderson.
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Stewart, Davies, Fortune.

Scorers: Quinn 73.

Booked: Montgomery 11.

Man of The Match: Darious Henderson.

Swansea Line-up: de Vries, Williams, Gower, Lopez, Pintado, Dyer, Rangel, Monk, Bodde (Trundle 10, Richards 81), Tate, Bessone (Butler 56).

Subs Not Used: Cornell, Beattie, Idrizaj, K. Morgan.

Scorers:Trundle 52 (pen), Butler 82.

Booked: Dyer 62, Lopez 67, de Vries 90.

Sent Off: Lopez 77 (second booking), Dyer 90 (second booking).

Referee: Darren Deadman (Hertfordshire).

United put in a disappointing performance as they went down 1-2 against a nine-man Swansea side. Matt Kilgallon Stephen Quinn and David Cotterill were recalled to the starting line-up in their familiar away from home 4-5-1 formation with Darious Henderson the lone striker. Swansea had Ferrie Bodde back in their side. Alan Tate partnered Garry Monk in central defence with Fede Bessone coming in at left-back.

The Blades started the better of the two sides, although the first happening of the match saw Bessone replaced by Lee Trundle. Then United were forced into a substitution when Keith Treacy was replaced by Ched Evans and Kevin Blackwell switched to a 4-4-2 formation.
In between all the injury disruptions, Swansea started Tate forced Blades goalkeeper Mark Bunn into an early save with a header. With neither side creating many openings, Nathan Dyer had the home crowd on their feet in the 29th minute when his quick feet took him clear and Bunn was forced to save a low shot which was bound for the bottom corner.
Spaniard Gorka Pintado was quick to follow up the shot before going down as Bunn dived on the rebound. The Swans fans were up claiming a penalty, but the referee quite rightly waved the appeals away. As the half came to a close, Dorus de Vries in the Swansea goal still had not had a shot to save as Jordi Lopez curled an effort just wide of the Blades upright.
Just seven minutes into the second half and the home side had a penalty. Trundle received the ball on the right of the Blades 18 yard box from Lopez, the Swans striker proceeded to run across the box he was eventually brought down by Nick Montgomery in a clumsy collision. The referee pointed to the spot and Trundle picked himself up to fired beyond Bunn to give the home side the lead.
United immediately tried to hit back and looked to have grabbed a 58th minute equaliser when Evans followed up an effort from Cotterill to bundle the ball home, but the goal was disallowed for offside. But the Blades were looking more dangerous as the game progressed and finally grabbed the equaliser in the 74th minute as the Swans started to give too much possession away. Cotterill initially crossed and the ball was headed clear by Monk and landed at James Harper’s feet, Harper tried a shot which found Quinn inside the area, and the midfielder sent a back flick beyond de Vries. Things seemed to tipping in United’s favour when Lopez made a lung for the ball and fouled Evans. The Spaniard had already been booked and was given his second yellow card. But United we caught napping and after a long run down the left flank by Ashley Williams was squared for Dyer and he set up substitute Tom Butler who hit a low strike which beat Bunn at his right post.  Just before the end Dyer received his marching order after stupidly kicking the ball away after United had been awarded a free-kick. But there was no way back for the blades. This performance had been a major let down after the highs of the previous weekend and the loyal Unitedites went home very disappointed with their sides showing today.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Swansea: Bunn 6, Walker 7, Taylor 6, Reid -, Morgan 6, Kilgallon 5, Montgomery 5, Quinn 7, Little 5, Harper 6, Cotterill 6, Treacy 5, Evans 5, Henderson 7.

18th September Boss Kevin Blackwell hailed "a massive win" after earning his first Steel City derby at Bramall Lane with a 3-2 triumph. The Blades swept their rivals aside in the opening period on Friday night and such was their dominance had statisticians reaching for the record books at the interval.

But Marcus Tudgay threw the Owls a lifeline two minutes into the second period and half-time substitute Etienne Esajas ensured a thrilling final 25 minutes when he lashed home a long-range free-kick. Blackwell, whose side have climbed to fourth place in the table, said: "To be honest with you that monkey has been on my back for a while. "As great a season as we had last season many locals dismissed it because we lost twice to Sheffield Wednesday.

"So it was a massive, massive victory tonight. I had 10 new players who had never experienced a Sheffield derby. "Try tell them what it's like. They now know what it's like. I'm delighted to get such a big result." Blackwell praised new loan signing Andrew Davies, who arrived from Stoke earlier in the day and replaced Matt Kilgallon, who was suffering with a chest infection. But the Blades boss revealed his side's first derby win since February 2006, in front of a crowd of 29,210 that created an electric atmosphere, was tempered by the loss of goalscorer Ward, who was stretchered off in the first half with a torn hamstring.

Blackwell added: "Andrew Davies looked a bit rusty in the first half an hour, but as the game went on he got better and better. "He came in this afternoon and it was a case of throwing him in, so he showed terrific mental toughness. "We were superb in the first half. It could have been four or five, but Wardy was a big loss. "He's on fire at the moment. He took his goal really well. He has goals in him and he's a real threat, so to lose him for six weeks is a blow."

18th September Sheffield United 3 Sheffield Wednesday 2 (Attendance: 29,210)

Blades Line-up: Bunn, Taylor, Walker, Davies, Morgan, Montgomery, Harper, Ward (Cotterill 33, France 90), Treacy (Quinn 88), Evans, Henderson.
Subs Not Used: Reid, Bennett, Stewart, Little.

Scorers: Ward 7 Henderson 15 Buxton 42 (og).

Booked: Davies 4, Montgomery 24, Bunn 47,

Man of The Match: Chris Morgan.

Owls Line-up: Grant, Buxton, Wood, Purse, Spurr, Johnson (Esajas 46), Potter, O'Connor (Miller 78), Gray, Tudgay, Varney (Clarke 67).

Subs Not Used: O'Donnell, Simek, McAllister, Sodje.

Scorers: Tudgay 46 Esajas 65.

Booked: O'Connor 34.

Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire)

In a pulsating Sheffield derby at the Lane, United re-established their supremacy as the top side in the city with a 3-2 win over Wednesday.

On loan defender Andy Davies went straight into United's starting line up for the match. He partnered Chris Morgan in the centre of defence with Kyle Walker reverting to his regular right-back position. James Harper made his home debut and Chris Evans was restored to the forward line with Darious Henderson. The Owls recalled midfielder James O'Connor to the starting line-up, the Irishman taking the place of Tommy Miller, who dropped to the bench. Manager Brian Laws also brought back Richard Wood to centre defence alongside Darren Purse. The match kicked of with an electric atmosphere with the Greasy Chip Butty song booming around the Lane. The Blades soon began to take control and Wednesday were getting pinned back into their own half. After six minutes, United went ahead with their first real effort.  Striker Henderson forced a save from goalkeeper Lee Grant and from the resulting Keith Treacy corner. Morgan headed down and the ever alert Jamie Ward was first to react swivelling round and shooting past Grant. Blades fans were still celebrating when Luke Varney had a half chance two minutes later but his low drive from distance was comfortably gathered by Mark Bunn in the United goal. Then the Owls suffered another blow right on the quarter of an hour mark as United went two goals to the good. Evans hit a low drive that was diverted into the back of the net via the outstretched boot of Henderson. The Unitedites were full of smiles, and continued to poke fun at their long suffering neighbours. The songs were rolling down the Shoreham Kop, and the Owls fans that had been performing some kind of ludicrous bouncing routine from the start of the match, now stood motionless like showroom dummies. With rare break into the United half, Michael Gray's crossed for Marcus Tudgay who just go ahead of Morgan and Davies to head and bring a fine save out of Bunn. But United were the dominant side and playing some of their best football of the season so far, were soon on the attack again. Evans might have done better with a close range header that a relieved Grant clutched into his chest. United then lost Ward when he went down on the right touchline in front of the John Street Stand. The signal soon was made that he was unable to continue, this was a major blow for United, he had been the best player on the park to that point. With the half time whistle approaching, Wednesday were in desperate need of a break to get them back into the contest but instead United punished the Owls back again. Blades substitute David Cotterill delivered a deep cross from the right wing and Wednesday defender Lewis Buxton sent a bullet header past his own keeper to give United a 3-0 lead. Wednesday were out early for the start of the second half without Jermaine Johnson who had been in Walker's pocket for the whole of the first half. His replacement was winger Etiënne Esajas, and it was his header that gave the Owls a goal. From a right wing cross, a header by Esajas was blocked and the cleared by Walker and Tudgay fired home a left-foot volley from the edge of the penalty area. Then, Esajas's free kick gave Richard Wood a chance before Tudgay lashed a volley high over the bar. After 65 minutes the visitors got another goal. United conceded a free kick 30 yards from goal when Cotterill fouled Wood and Esajas to fired a shot into the corner of Bunn's net. The game was going from end-to-end and Evans fired a shot on target for United after 68 minutes had elapsed, and a Henderson header brought a save from Grant in the Wednesday goal.  Esajas blasted narrowly wide as the game continued to ebb and flow. Grant leapt to keep out an Evans piledriver although it was Wednesday that enjoyed the better of the closing stages with United lying deeper in their own half. There had been some stoppages and five minutes was added, but the Lane faithful were celebrating well before the final whistle bouncing up and down reminding the visiting fans who is the number one football club in Sheffield. Ryan France came on for Cotterill in the final seconds and the full time whistle was met with party celebrations around the Lane as the Owls fans quickly slipped out of the ground and back to the sty at S6. It had been one of the most memorable Sheffield derbies for many a year. The Owls had their little moment of glory last year but normal service has now been resumed. League tables do not lie. Up the Blades!

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. the Owls: Bunn 7, Taylor 7, Walker 8, Davies 7, Morgan 8, Montgomery 8, Harper 7, Ward 8, Cotterill 7, France -, Treacy 7, Quinn -, Evans 7, Henderson 7.

15th September Coventry City 3 Sheffield United 2 (Attendance: 14426)

Blades Line-up: Bunn, France, Taylor (Stewart 72), Walker, Morgan, Montgomery, Quinn (Evans 61), Harper, Treacy (Cotterill 67), Ward, Henderson .
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Reid, Little.

Scorers: Ward 31, Harper 76

Man of The Match: Jamie Ward.

Coventry City Line-up: Westwood, Wright (c), Cranie, Turner, Hall (Clarke 83), Clingan, Osbourne, McIndoe, Cork, Best, Morrison (Gunnarsson 83).

Subs Not Used: Konstantopoulos, Ward, Eastwood, Cain, Grandison.

Scorers: Best 12, Morrison 50, Cranie 60.

Booked: Morrison 51.

Referee: Anthony Taylor (Greater Manchester)

Sheffield United's unbeaten start to the Championship season finally ended with a 3-2 defeat at Coventry. United were without influential central defender Matt Kilgallon and his place in the starting line-up was taken by Kyle Walker who switched to the centre of defence to partner Chris Morgan, and Ryan France came into the side at right-back. There was only one change to the starting eleven for Coventry from the match with Bristol City with defender Marcus Hall coming into the side in place of Isaac Osbourne.
There were over a 1000 Unitedites in the crowd at kick-off. Coventry started the brighter of the two sides with the terrier-like Sammy Clingan pulling the strings in the middle of the park. And it was he who set up the opener, floating a weighted ball over the top to find Best. The Sky Blues striker brought down the ball perfectly 12 yards out before lashing an unstoppable shot past Blades goalkeeper Mark Bunn from the right side of the penalty area.
Sky Blues goalkeeper Keiren Westwood did well to block Stephen Quinn's stabbed effort from point-blank range just minutes later.  Chances were coming at either end and it was up to Westwood did even better save to deny Quinn for a second time when he found himself in the open. But if Coventry's opener was impressive then United's equaliser was even better.  Jamie Ward coolly brought the ball down 30 yards from goal on the right and charged towards the area before letting fly with an unstoppable effort into the top corner that, for once, left Westwood with no chance.
Midfielder Jack Cork blasted over from 18 yards for the hosts before Blades left-back Andy Taylor fluffed his lines from four yards out a minute before the interval when it looked easier to score. There were just six second-half minutes on the clock when Coventry regained the lead.
United midfielder Nick Montgomery failed to really do anything as the ball came towards him on the halfway line and he could only watch as it ricocheted off his body and into the path of the onrushing Michael McIndoe. The winger burst down the left and despite his cross going behind Best and Morrison in the area, the latter readjusted his body and hit a low effort which luckily defected past the despairing Bunn.
United immediately went in search of an equaliser and Westwood did well to tip Keith Treacy's strike around a post before Ward missed from close range.  But Coventry were almost out of sight on the hour mark as McIndoe again turned provider, floating over a corner for Martin Cranie to head home from the edge of the six yard box.  James Harper pounced from close range in the 75th minute to set up an edgy finale for the home sparse supporters. And substitute Ched Evans almost rescued a point for the Blades only to see his strike clip the top of the crossbar as the game entered the closing stages.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Coventry City: Bunn 6, France 6, Taylor 6, Stewart 6, Walker 6, Morgan 7, Montgomery 7, Quinn 6, Evans 6, Harper 6, Treacy 6, Cotterill 6, Ward 7, Henderson 6.

12th September Derby County 0 Sheffield United 1 (Attendance: 28,441)

Blades Line-up: Bunn, Taylor. Walker, Morgan, Kilgallon, Montgomery, Harper, Quinn (France 88), Treacy (Cotterill 81), Ward, Henderson (Evans 75).
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Reid, Little.

Booked: Montgomery 17, Henderson 41, Morgan 60.

Scorer: Killgallon 80.

Man of The Match: Jamie Ward.

Derby Line-up: Bywater; Connolly, Addison, Barker (Leacock 90), Moxey; Croft (Commons 73), Savage, Green (Livermore 62), Teale; Pearson, Hulse.

Subs Not Used: Deeney, McEveley, Buxton, Dickov.

Booked: Savage 22, Pearson 52.

Referee: Andy D'Urso (Essex).

Matt Kilgallon's late header gave United a 1-0 win at Derby on Saturday, ending the Rams unbeaten record at Pride Park this season. Derby handed starts to defender Shaun Barker, winger Lee Croft and central midfielder Paul Green. Former Blade Rob Hulse led the line for Derby in a 4-4-2 formation. Kevin Blackwell gave James Harper his debut with Keith Treacy and Jamie Ward supporting Henderson from wide positions in a 4-5-1. This formation works well for United away from home and so came as no suprise to the traveling Unitedites. Ched Evans was amongst the substitues for the Blades along with David Cotterill.

The match kicked off in bright sunshine with clear sky's overhead. Both sides showed positive intent early on and Treacy came close with a left-foot strike from 12 yards out. Winder Treacy featured prominently in the opening 15 minutes and he had two more opportunities but failed to test Rams goalkeeper Stephen Bywater.

The Blades continued to ask questions of the Derby defence and Bywater had to be alert to deny midfielder Stephen Quinn. United had a goal disallowed when Bywater parried Jamie Ward's shot into the path of Henderson, who slotted the ball into the net but had his celebrations cut short due to an offside flag even though later replay's confirmed that the linesman had made a mistake and Henderson was in-fact in an on-side position.

Nigel Clough's side finally forged an opportunity but Hulse volleyed over the crossbar from 12 yards out. At the other end, Henderson spurned an opportunity to put the Blades in front when he fired over the bar from just six yards out after 32 minutes. The Rams created the first opportunity of the second half but Hulse headed straight at United keeper Mark Bunn.

United responded, and Henderson missed another chance to break the deadlock, firing wide from the centre of the penalty area. Derby replaced Paul Green with on-loan midfielder Jake Livermore as the home side looked to push on for all three points. Henderson was once again given an opportunity to put United in front but failed to make the most of the chance.

Blades defender Kyle Walker rose at the back post to meet Treacy's corner but his header was off target. Kris Commons entered the fray with 18 minutes remaining and the Blades introduced striker Evans. Scottish forward Commons was in the thick of the action straight away when his inviting corner was met by Hulse, who should have opened the scoring but powered a header wide of the target.

Gary Teale tried his lucky from 25 yards out but his drive was straight at the alert Bunn. But it was United who took the lead with 11 minutes remaining, when Kilgallon rose to head Treacy's free-kick beyond Bywater. Ward should have added a second goal in stoppage time as he raced toward goal, but Bywater produced a good save to deny the Lane striker.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Derby County: Bunn 6, Taylor 7. Walker 7, Morgan 8, Kilgallon 8, Montgomery 7, Harper 7, Quinn 7, Treacy 8, Ward 8, Henderson 7, Evans 6, France -, Cotterill -

4th September United have signed Reading midfielder James Harper on a season-long loan deal, while Brian Howard heads to the Madejski Stadium. The last-minute deal was officially ratified by the Football League on Wednesday morning. "My face didn't fit down there, so I wasn't playing ," the 28-year-old Harper told BBC Radio Sheffield. "I'm coming to a good club and they want me here, which is very important. I just can't wait to crack on." Harper has made over 300 appearance for the Royals after beginning his career in the Arsenal academy.

4th September Paddy Kenny has been suspended from all football for nine months for failing a drugs test. The 31-year-old tested positive for a banned substance, ephedrine, following last season's Championship play-off semi-final second leg against Preston. And while a statement read "its use was not intended to enhance performance", Kenny was found guilty by the Football Association's Regulatory Commission. The suspension dates back to 22 July, meaning he can return in April, 2010.

4th September United have signed Reading midfielder James Harper on a season-long loan deal, while Brian Howard heads to the Madejski Stadium. The last-minute deal was officially ratified by the Football League on Wednesday morning. "My face didn't fit down there, so I wasn't playing ," the 28-year-old Harper told BBC Radio Sheffield. "I'm coming to a good club and they want me here, which is very important. I just can't wait to crack on." Harper has made over 300 appearance for the Royals after beginning his career in the Arsenal academy.

3rd September The Blades have confirmed the departures of Leigh Bromby and David Carney to Leeds United and FC Twente respectively. The duo have left Bramall Lane with manager Kevin Blackwell still on the lookout to bring players in before the deadline closes. Defender Bromby, 29, has moved to Leeds on a four-year-deal for a fee of around £250,000, despite only joining the Blades during the summer after a successful loan spell at the end of last season. Australia international midfielder Carney, 25, has moved to FC Twente for an undisclosed fee, where he will link up with former England manager Steve McClaren