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27th February Sheffield United 4 Plymouth Argyle 3 (Attendance: 24,886)
Bunn, Nosworthy, Kallio, Morgan, Bartley, Montgomery, Williamson, Yeates (Harper 85), Ward, Cresswell (Stewart 90), Camara (Evans 78).
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Taylor, Quinn, Fortune.
Booked: Cresswell 36, Morgan 72.
Scorers: Camara 7, Ward 35,47, Cresswell 80.
Man of The Match: Richard Cresswell.
Plymouth Line-up: Stockdale, Duguid, Fletcher, Clark, D. Johnson, Mackie, Arnason, Fallon (Bolasie 45), Barker, Noone (Mason 45), R. Johnson (Summerfield 50).
Subs Not Used: Larrieu, Wright-Phillips, Judge, Cooper.
Booked: Stockdale 45, Mackie 72.
Scorers: Bolasie 48, Mason 56, Mackie 85.
Referee: Chris Sarginson (Staffordshire)
Two Jamie Ward goals helped United to a narrow 4-3 victory over struggling Plymouth Argyle at Bramall Lane.
There were cheers for Chris Morgan as the defender returned to the Blades starting line-up. His return meant Nyron Noseworthy moving to right-back in place of the injured Derek Geary. Richard Creswell partnered Henri Camera in attack with Darious Henderson suspended. Pilgrims’ head coach Paul Mariner sent out a starting 11 unchanged from that which gained o a 1-1 draw against Leicester at Home Park last weekend. Rory Fallon partnered Jamie Mackie in attack.
The Blades had the better start to the match which kicked off in light rain, Mark Yeates wearing red boots crossed for Morgan and Cresswell and it was the striker who headed just wide. A minute later United were ahead.
Yeates cleverly flicked the ball threw the centre to Camera and he ran from just inside the Plymouth half and fired across goalkeeper David Stockdale to give United an early lead. Camara's exposure of the Argyle defence was nearly doubled soon afterwards when a deflected shot found the striker free at the far post. His rising shot was helped over the bar by Chris Barker's late stretched intervention.
The Pilgrims first attack of note saw Chris Clark and Karl Duguid combine on the right in a quick break for the latter to put a cross on to Fallon's head and a knockdown from which Mackie was crowded out before he could get a decent sight of the target.
There then followed a prolonged period in which the ball pinged around in the middle of the park with neither side could hold on to possession and both were looking for the direct ball forward. Defensively United were coping with a weak Plymouth forward line. The visitors defence looked shaky and Unitedites were already talking of a decent win to help our goal difference.
Ten minutes before the break United made it 2-0 when Ward took advantage of some poor defending to thump home an thunderous shot from ten yards out straight into the top corner.
The visitors were lacking in ideas and the frustrated Mackie spent much of his time arguing with the referee while Fallon was almost a spectator. The Blades received a round of applause for the efforts and the fans began to talk about perhaps another three goals in the second half.
Plymouth came out at the start of the second half having made two changes, Joe Mason replacing the ineffective Fallon and Yala Bolasie on for Craig Noone. Before they had even had time to break into a sweat, the Blades had cut the visitors defence apart again. Noseworthy launched a throw-in and Morgan drew plenty of attention with his presence, this allowed Ward sneak in and net his second from close range shooting the ball home straight through the keepers legs.
It appeared as though the game was over at this stage, but United seemed to take their foot off the pedal and Plymouth had a chance when Mason and Kári Árnason both went close just before the hour mark. This should have been a warning for United, but worse was to follow when the Pilgrims grabbed a goal back. A throwing in front of the John Street stand caused confusion in the box and goalkeeper Mark Bunn came for the ball trying to punch, the ball was headed to the left of the goal and substitute Bolasie was there to tap the ball in.
This goal seemed to unnerve United and defensive lapses started to appear, particularly from Noseworthy who was being given the run around by left-winger Bolasie. With 56 minutes gone the visitors scored a second goal, Nosworthy failed to clear putting his header into a dangerous position and it ended with Mason slotting the ball past Bunn.
The United faithful were now getting frustrated, anyone could see that Plymouth was not a good side yet they had been allowed to claw their way back into the match. But the fans did not get on to the side and instead got behind their team. They responded with some sustained pressure on the visitors goal. Ward was looking for his hat-trick with a long-range effort and then Cresswell fired over after a quick break had caught the slow Plymouth defence out again. Morgan and Mackie were booked for a nasty exchange on the edge of the United box.
The winner came in bizarre circumstances when the Plymouth goalkeeper had just saved from Cresswell. Standing with the ball in front of the Kop he dropped the ball to kick up field, but he had forgotten about Cresswell who was still coming from behind the keeper. The Blades striker instantly seized his chance and dribbled around the despairing keeper to score and then celebrate with the fans on the Shoreham Kop.
The Plymouth keeper then saved well first from Cresswell and then from Yeates after good work from Montgomery. Five minutes was added and there were a couple of nervy moments for the home faithful especially when Mason found space and fired just wide of the diving Bunn. Plymouth keeper Stockdale then had a chance when he went forward for a corner but was let down by his touch. It is a win which keeps the Blades in 7th position in the Championship.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Plymouth: Bunn 6, Nosworthy 5, Kallio 6, Morgan 6, Bartley 5, Montgomery 6, Williamson 5, Yeates 7, Harper -, Ward 8, Cresswell 8, Stewart -, Camara 7, Evans 6.
24th February Defender Derek Geary is set to miss the rest of the season due to an ankle injury. Geary suffered the problem in last week's 1-0 defeat at promotion-chasing Nottingham Forest and is likely to be sidelined for three months. The 29-year-old has endured a frustrating season on the injury front and he has made just seven appearances in the Championship this term. With his contract at Bramall Lane expiring at the end of the campaign, this latest injury places a question mark over Geary's future at the club. Blades boss Kevin Blackwell admits it is a 'savage' blow for Geary and has praised the stopper for his previous recovery from a knee injury. "It is a savage blow for Derek because it looks as if it will be three months before he has recovered so that is virtually the season over for him," Blackwell commented. "Having spent so long getting back from a knee injury so serious that most people would have just given up on it, fight back to make the first team and then get this is desperately unlucky for him, particularly as he is out of contract in the summer.
16th February Nottingham Forest 1 Sheffield United 0 (Attendance: 22,076)
Bunn, Geary (Quinn 39), Kallio, Ward, Nosworthy, Bartley, Montgomery, Williamson (Evans 78), Yeates, Camara (Cresswell 66), Henderson.
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Stewart, Little, Fortune.
Booked: Williamson 52, Yeates 55, Kallio 81.
Sent Off: Henderson 46 (violent conduct).
Man of The Match: Mark Yeates.
Forest Line-up: Camp, Perch, Morgan, Wilson, Anderson (Tyson 74), Earnshaw (McGoldrick 80), Cohen, Gunter, McKenna, Blackstock, Majewski (Moussi 88).
Subs Not Used: Chambers, Adebola, Garner, Smith.
Booked: Majewski 29, Perch 51.
Scorer: Earnshaw 4.
Referee: Nigel Miller (Co. Durham)
Sheffield United’s play-off hopes took another blow after a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Kevin Blackwell named an unchanged side for the short trip south, which is a rarity in itself. Henri Camera partnered Darious Henderson in attack with the Blades lining up in a 4-4-2 formation. Dexter Blackstock and Robert Earnshaw were recalled to spear the Forest frontline.
And it took Forest just four minutes to take the lead. A Radosław Majewski corner was flicked on by Paul Anderson’s head and Earnshaw turned the ball across the line from close range. United had very few chances in the first 25 minutes, a run from Mark Yeates gave the Blades their first opportunity of the contest but his left footed drive at an angle went well wide.
In spite of controlling much of the play, Forest were not dominating and did not have another shot on goal until just after the half hour mark from a Chris Cohen corner. The ball floated into the box and Blades goalkeeper Mark Bunn only just got there before Wes Morgan could make contact with his head.
Then Chris Gunter played the ball back for midfielder Cohen. He found Anderson on the edge of the penalty area, but put his effort under pressure over the bar. United were not making much of an impression on the Forest backline and were very predictable, constantly looking for the direct ball to Henderson while Camera was almost a spectator. Nyron Nosworthy put in a cross and it deceived defender James Perch and Forest goalkeeper Camp had to make a spectacular save to push it clear.
Stephen Quinn replaced the injured Derek Geary, who had earlier received treatment. Jamie Ward went into an unfamiliar right-back role, with Quinn on the left of midfield. The home side threatened again in injury time when Cohen was released down the right. The cross went over the head of Earnshaw but was deflected for a corner before it could reach Anderson as he rushed into the box. Majewski had been outstanding for the hosts and from another of his corner's the ball bounced up in front of Bunn, who did well to pounce on the ball and smother it.
It had been a disappointing half for United, unable to keep the ball and pass it around and build from the midfield. They seemed content just firing the usual ball downfield to targetman Henderson who for his part had spent most of the half engaged in arguing and niggling with Forest defenders. Things got worse for United in the opening minute of the second half when Henderson was shown a red card for an off the ball incident in which it would seem that he had elbowed Anderson. He was dismissed for violent conduct.
The Blades replaced Camara with Richard Cresswell. On a plus note, Mark Yeates was playing well again and his effort from the edge of the penalty area was only just wide of the target. Then, Nick Montgomery burst through from midfield and fed the ball through to Yeates whose effort from 25 yards was caught by Camp. At the other end, Cohen ran forward and his shot was parried by Bunn as far as Anderson on the left, but he fired into the side netting and it proved to be his last action of the game as he was replaced by Nathan Tyson.
United were on the attack again and a shot in by Cresswell was headed away at the far post by full-back Perch. Forest came close to extending their lead when Earnshaw crossed the ball in to Tyson, whose left-foot drive forced a good save from Bunn who put the ball round for a corner.
United put more and more pressure on as the game entered the later stages and both sides made further substitutions. There were five minutes of added time but Forest stood firm and United could not find an equaliser.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Forest: Bunn 7, Geary 6, Kallio 6, Ward 6, Nosworthy 6, Bartley 6, Montgomery 6, Williamson 6, Quinn 6, Evans 6, Yeates 8, Camara 6, Henderson 4, Cresswell 6.
13th February Kevin Blackwell believes United have 'every chance' of promotion if they can keep players fit after defeating Bristol City.
Henri Camara and Darius Henderson scored in the second half to earn the Blades a 2-0 Championship win at the Lane and continue a play-off push.
Blackwell was delighted with the performance of his team and lavished praise on his players. He said: "I thought everyone played really, really well. We used the ball intelligently and moved well off it. When you see us go out and look like that then it makes you realise our biggest problem this season is going to be keeping everybody fit. "If we can do that then we've got every chance. We are trying to build something and the boys have shown out there what they can do."
13th February Sheffield United 2 Bristol City 0 (Attendance: 22,613)
Bunn, Montgomery, Nosworthy, Henderson (Cresswell 89), Yeates, Williamson, Ward, Bartley, Geary, Kallio, Camara (Quinn 81).
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Stewart, Fortune, Little, Evans..
Booked: Geary 23.
Scorers: Camara 49, Henderson 62
Man of The Match: Henri Camara.
Bristol City Line-up: Gerken, Orr, Fontaine, Carey, Hartley, Skuse (Clarkson 90), Williams (Elliott 67), Sproule, Nyatanga, Agyemang (Haynes 67), Iwelumo.
Subs Not Used: Johnson, Collis, Wilson, Edwards.
Booked: Hartley 54, Nyatanga 59.
Referee: Darren Deadman (Cambridgeshire).
Second-half strikes from Henri Camara and Darius Henderson condemned Bristol City to a 2-0 defeat at the Lane.
Mark Bunn returned in goal for United and Camera, Jamie Ward and Darious Henderson all started. Kyle Bartley made his home debut for the Blades. The Robins had new loanee Chris Iwelumo up front in a partnership with Patrick Agyemang.
The visitors had early chances when Iwelumo twice headed balls into the path of Agyemang inside the first ten minutes and both times Bunn needed to be alert and smother the ball. As in previous weeks picked up a knock in a collision this made him slightly groggy. Fellow goalkeeper made a quick check on Bunn from the sidelines and received the thumbs up.
A chipped pass from Gavin Williams tested the Blades keeper shortly afterwards. Striker Iwelumo volleyed powerfully towards goal only to see the effort blocked by left-back Toni Kallio. After that United began to take control, enjoying plenty of possession and pushing their visitors back. Mark Yeates was running across the visitor’s defence causing havoc and goalkeeper Dean Gerken had to be alert to deny Camara, who had broken the offside trap.
United were looking determined and Derek Geary crossed for Henderson, but he headed just over and the Ward put in another deeper ball which Henderson headed wide under pressure from defender Bradley Orr. At the other end, Iwelumo missed chance when the ball bounced across the box towards him but when he let fly with his left foot all he kicked was thin-air. City keeper Gerken was then called into action to push away Bartley's deflected shot, the ball hitting Liam Fontaine. Seconds later Yeates angled attempt was pushed clear by Gerken. Williamson was playing well for United and supported by Nick Montgomery they contributed to the Blades dominance of midfield. The Lane faithful was appreciative and United received a deserved round of applause for the first half efforts.
The second half started with United again in control and they took the lead on 49 minutes when Bartley rolled the ball between Fontaine and Lewin Nyatanga towards Camara. Defender Louis Carey tried to move across to support his team-mates but his sliding challenge could not prevent Camara from firing an unstoppable shot into the top corner of Gerken's goal at the keeper's near post before celebrating with us on the Kop.
Gerken did keep out a Yeates free kick soon after following a foul on Henderson. Orr sent a left-footed shot over the top at the other end and a set-piece saw Ward shot over Gerken's goal.
With 62 minutes gone, Ward crossed from the left and Henderson ran in front of Carey and connected with a glancing header to score from three yards out. The visitors had to find a quick response but failed when Ivan Sproule ran into the box and crossed for Agyemang, but Bunn quickly pounced on the ball.
Then there was a terrible collision between two of the City players in front of the Kop. Fontaine was running to the edge of his box to head the ball when Gerken went for the same ball. The collision was accidental but ‘x rated’ nonetheless and Fontaine needed immediate medical attention. After a delay he got to his feet and was given a round of applause from the Unitedites who had seen the collision.
The Robins boss then made a double substitution in a desperate attempt to liven his side. With 20 minutes remaining the bearded Paul Hartley floated in a corner and Carey headed the ball against the crossbar. Camera and Henderson were replaced late on and the final minutes came and went without any talking points. A good all round performance from United. Up The Blades!
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Bristol City: Bunn 6, Kallio 6, Geary 7, Nosworthy 6, Bartley 7, Montgomery 7, Williamson 8, Quinn 6, Ward 6, Yeates 7, Camara 8, Henderson 7, Cresswell -
9th February Preston North End 2 Sheffield United 1 (Attendance: 10,270)
Bennett, Geary, Kallio, Bartley, Nosworthy, Montgomery, Williamson, Quinn (Ward 59), Yeates, Cresswell (Henderson 71), Evans (Camara 64).
Subs Not Used: France, Stewart, Aksalu, Fortune.
Booked: Bartley 57.
Scorer: Yeates 81.
Man of The Match: Mark Yeates.
Preston Line-up: Lonergan, Hart, Mawene, Sedgwick (Treacy 77), St Ledger, Coutts, Welbeck, Jones, James (Carter 90), Wallace (Brown 90), Parkin.
Subs Not Used: Collins, Chilvers, Henderson, Mellor.
Booked: Coutts 88.
Scorers: James 10, Parkin 71.
Referee: Eddie Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).
Sheffield United suffered a 2-1 defeat against Preston at Deepdale. The Blades line-up saw teenager Kyle Bartley partnering Nyron Nosworthy in the centre of defence. Toni Kallio switched to his favoured position at left-back. Derek Geary was at right-back and Ian Bennett made a return to between the sticks. Richard Cresswell and Ched Evans were the front two in a 4-4-2 formation. The Lillywhites made four changes with Jon Parkin, Ross Wallace, Chris Sedgwick and Matthew James coming in to the side.
It was Preston who had the first meaningful chance of the game when a Kallio mistake gave Sedgwick an opening he charged about 60 yards on the right hand side of midfield but his shot was powered just wide of Ian Bennett's post. Just nine minutes had elapsed when the home side grabbed the lead. Parkin on the right wing beat off the challenge of Geary and centred the ball when found its way to James and he stuck a low drive which beat Bennett to his right, albeit via a deflection off Nosworthy.
Preston were then looking increasingly dangerous and in the 28th minute, Parkin unleashed a thunderous shot from the edge of the penalty area but this rattled off of the crossbar and then there were appeals for a penalty when Danny Welbeck fell under Nosworthy's challenge. The Lilywhites were again close to doubling their lead five minutes later. Sedgwick played a high ball into the area and Welbeck jumped with Bennett, who could not hold on to the ball and Parkin's chipped the ball on to the roof of the net. United had several corners towards the end of the half but could not create anything worthwhile.
United started the second half well and Evans crossed for Cresswell but he could not take his opportunity. And United went even closer when Mark Yeates driven shot came off of Andy Lonergan in the Preston goal and luckily skimmed off of the post and away. Eleven minutes into the half and Parkin found his way through the Blades rear guard, but his drilled shot from 30-yards was comfortably dealt with by Bennett.
With time running out Jamie Ward and Henri Camara were brought on. It did not make any difference and the home side were subsequently given a penalty after 71 minutes. The ball was put into the penalty area and Nosworthy bungled over Welbeck for the referee to point to the spot. Parkin’s penalty was poorly struck and saved by Bennett, but the striker followed the ball in and beat the Blades keeper at the second attempt from close range.
Darious Henderson replaced Cresswell after the goal and ten minutes later United had grabbed a lifeline in the match. With the Blades having their best period last ten minutes and Geary put a high ball to the far post which Henderson headed down. Yeates was on hand and slotted the ball past Lonergan.
In the dying stages, United put the Lillywhites defence under some pressure and Yeates carved out another chance but his shot from the edge of the area was blocked well by left-back Billy Jones. Four minutes was added but United could not find the equaliser, still it had been an improved performance and hopefully normal service will be resumed on Saturday. Get behind the side this weekend. Up The Blades!
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Preston: Bennett 6, Geary 6, Kallio 6, Bartley 6, Nosworthy 6, Montgomery 6, Williamson 7, Quinn 6, Ward 6, Yeates 7, Cresswell 6, Henderson 6, Evans 6, Camara 6.
6th February Manager Kevin Blackwell hailed his side's courage after Lee Williamson's last-gasp goal earned them a 1-1 draw against Derby. Robbie Savage's first-half effort looked to have put the Rams on the verge of a priceless win at the Lane but Williamson pounced in the 90th minute to prevent Blackwell's side slipping to their third successive league defeat. "As poor as we were, I've got to give the lads credit for finishing well," said Blackwell. "The crowd weren't happy but courage manifests itself in many ways. "It might be going in for a header or simply just wanting to get yourself on the ball. "And, to be fair, my boys showed courage and determination out there." Blackwell added: "We've got far too many people coming and going through the football club at the moment so it's difficult to get any sort of cohesion." While United breathed a sigh of relief, Derby were left wondering how they failed to beat their below-par opponents.
6th February Sheffield United 1 Derby County 1 (Attendance: 25,300)
Bunn (Bennett 68), Montgomery, Stewart, Nosworthy, Kallio, Williamson, Quinn, Yeates, Cresswell, Evans (Camara 69), Henderson (Ward 63).
Subs Not Used: France, Little, Geary, Fortune.
Booked: Williamson 37, Kallio 62.
Scorer: Williamson 90+2.
Man of The Match: Mark Yeates.
Derby Line-up: Bywater, Hunt, Barker, Buxton, McEveley, Green, Pearson (Teale 72), Savage, Tonge, Hulse, Commons (Porter 83).
Subs Not Used: Deeney, Anderson, Moxey, Vidal, Pringle.
Scorer: Savage 17.
Referee: Graham Salisbury (Lancashire).
An injury-time equaliser from Lee Williamson saved United from another defeat after a dismal performance against Derby County.
Nyron Nosworthy Mark Yeates and Tony Kallio all made their full home debuts and Ched Evans was recalled for the Championship encounter. The injured duo of Chris Morgan and James Harper missed out, whilst Jamie Ward and Derek Geary dropped to the bench. Left-back Kallio lined-up in the centre of defence with new signing Nosworthy. Darious Henderson was made captain in the absence of Morgan. Surprisingly Nick Montgomery was at right-back while Richard Creswell was on the left side of midfield. The Rams gave a full debut to former Blade Michael Tonge replacing Lee Johnson and Rob Hulse also started for the Rams.
Derby started the better of the sides and after three minutes had elapsed, a turn down the right by Chris Commons created space for the forward to deliver a telling ball into the six-yard box which a stretching Hulse guided just inches wide of the near post. A reverse pass from Commons played Paul Green in on goal moments later, but Blades goalkeeper Mark Bunn smothered the midfielder's effort inside his six-yard box.
Derby continued to make the early inroads and their pressure was rewarded with a stunning opening goal on 17 minutes from Robbie Savage. United failed to clear a cross sufficiently and when the ball fell to Savage some 25 yards out he lashed home on half volley to give the Rams a deserved lead.
The Blades had an instant opportunity to equalise but Williamson could only drag his volley wide from outside the area. The Rams continued to control the game and Bunn came to United's rescue to prevent Commons making it 2-0. The frontman found space smartly in the right-hand side of the penalty area and he arrowed a shot towards the near post which Bunn reacted well to and pushed behind for a corner.
From the restart Yeates provided a cross from the right wing and after Henderson headed down, the difficult to control shot from Williamson was just wide. But in truth United were not testing the Rams keeper and the visitors were enjoying the better of the game. Tonge tried his luck with a low drive inside the box that Jordan Stewart blocked at the expense of another Derby corner. Bunn was the Blades hero again in the closing stages of the half, making a fine stop at his near post from Tonge's volley.
Commons got the better of Nosworthy and saw his shot turned around the post by Bunn as the goal. Stephen Pearson was also causing problems on the left side. United we unable to mount an attack constantly losing possession and with waiving, pointing and what looked like general communication problems amongst players particularly in defence, it resulted in a barrage of boos from the Lane faithful at the half-time whistle.
Chat amongst the fans at half-time was about why Ward had not started and why we had a midfielder at right-back. Kevin Blackwell sent the same eleven out at the start of the second half and it could only get better. But again the Rams started the second half best and Green clipped a cross from Tonge just over the bar inside the box.
United then began to enjoy their first spell of pressure during the game by forcing set-pieces in good positions, but Derby were relatively comfortable throughout. Yeates had two shot which never troubled goalkeeper Stephen Bywater. The first was well off target and the second went over the crossbar.
Bunn was struggling with injury and needed more treatment. Hulse and Commons combined well on the hour to create a Derby chance from a set-piece. Blackwell then made a change first Ward replaced Henderson, this was greeted with sarcastic cheers from the Blades faithful on the Kop. It had been Henderson worst match for a while, but had been starved of supply, so the cheers as he went off we out of order. Then Bunn was withdrawn and replace by Ian Bennett in goal.
Bywater made his first real save of the afternoon with 20 minutes left, diving full length to his left to palm away Stewart's long-range effort and he was up on his feet quickly to block Blades substitute Camara's rebound effort with a magnificent block. Gary Teale's introduction in place of Pearson was Derby's first change and a straight positional swap.
The introduction of Ward and Camera brought a fresh impetuous to Untied’s play and they had their best moments in the later stages of the match. Yeates ran through the midfield but from his lay-off Camara's shot was blocked by James McEveley and with the help of the Lane faithful United poured forwards in the closing minutes and Cresswell headed wide after a Stephen Quinn cross.
And the late pressure paid off when United grabbed a late equaliser. The ball was played across to the right side of midfield Yeates supplied Williamson and he fired low to Bywater’s left to score and celebrated in the corner of the Kop with the relieved fans, well at least those who remained for the duration. United defiantly missed the presence of Morgan today and will have to get sorted out before their trip to Preston and the visit of Bristol City.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Derby: Bunn 6, Bennett 6, Montgomery 6, Stewart 5, Nosworthy 5, Kallio 6, Williamson 6, Quinn 5, Yeates 6, Cresswell 6, Evans 6, Ward 6, Henderson 5, Camara 6.
2nd February Watford 3 Sheffield United 0 (Attendance: 13,076)
Bunn, Montgomery, Morgan (Fortune 41), Nosworthy, Henderson (Evans 68), Harper, Cresswell, Ward (Yeates 45), Stewart, Geary, Quinn.
Subs Not Used: France, Williamson, Bennett, Camara.
Booked: Harper 15, Quinn 29, Henderson 64, Nosworthy 82.
Man of The Match: Mark Bunn.
Watford Line-up: Loach, Mariappa, Lansbury, DeMerit, Cowie, Helguson (Hoskins 81), Doyley, Jenkins (Harley 84), Cleverley (Graham 75), Taylor, Eustace.
Subs Not Used: McGinn, Lee, Bennett, Bryan.
Scorers: Cleverley 39, Helguson 55, Cowie 74.
Referee: Keith Hill (Hertfordshire).
Sheffield United crashed to a 3-0 defeat against Watford at Vicarage Road, in possibly their worst showing of the season. There was bad news before kick-off when Kyle Walker was recalled by Tottenham from his loan spell. This was undoubtedly a blow for Kevin Blackwell’s team plans.
The ever reliable Derek Geary replaced Walker at right-back. Loan player Nosworthy started in central defence partnering Chris Morgan. The Blades lined up with Richard Cresswell partnering Darious Henderson in attack. Watford had one change from the defeat to Blackpool. There was a place for new signing Stephen McGinn on the bench.
United's Stephen Quinn had the first scoring opportunity as his speculative effort rose over goalkeeper Scott Loach's bar from within the penalty area. James Harper was booked on the quarter of an hour mark as he went crashing through John Eustace in the centre of the park. The first half had few talking points in the first 20 minutes as the teams continued to cancel each other out.
Two chances then fell within two minutes though as the clock ticked to reach 22 minutes. Firstly the Blades took advantage of a free kick won near the corner flag. Harper put the ball into the middle and through a crowd of players and Morgan got his head to the ball and landed a header at goal.
Loach was in the right place though and saved instinctively low down to deny the Blades. A minute later the Hornets struck back after winning possession down their right flank. Adrian Mariappa took the throw-in near the corner flag and launched a throw-in towards the six yard box. Eustace somehow got a touch on towards goal but somehow United survived.
Just after the half hour mark Tom Cleverley rattled the woodwork with a terrific free kick from the best part of 25 yards. The home side then took the lead after dominating the half. Cleverley bravely got his head to the ball following a speculative ball from up field from Martin Taylor at the heart of Watford's defence. Morgan decided to leave the high ball and Cleverley nipped in, beat the goalkeeper and bundled it over the line.
Five minutes of time was added on at the end of the first half and during the closing stages Morgan left the field for the Blades was an injury, he was replaced by Jonathan Fortune and Nick Montgomery was given the captaincy. Just before the break, Bunn pulled off a terrific save to deny the Iceland striker in front of The Rookery.
Four minutes into the second half, Taylor volleyed the ball straight across the face of goal but no-one was there for the home side. Watford doubled the lead after 55 minutes when another terrible mix up for the Blades was punished by the Hornets. Heidar Helguson latched onto a through ball and he coolly slotted past Bunn to double the score line.
The Hornets looked comfortable now for the points but they still continued to push forward. After number of passes around the edge of the box, Lloyd Doyley went charging into the crowded area but Bunn came racing off his line to collect at his feet. Then, Watford won a free kick near to the touch line after a Montgomery foul and Cowie stood over the ball. The Scottish midfielder curled in a cross-cum-shot which beat everyone and found the net via the far post. The names of Montgomery and Nosworthy were added to list of players cautioned and in a rare Blades attack Quinn volleyed over.
Bunn made a great save with a few minutes remaining as Helguson controlled the ball perfectly well and fired a half-volley that the goalkeeper did well to direct over. The Hornets played out the final few minutes in control of the game and were given a standing ovation by their fans. But for the traveling Unitedites, they had seen a wretched performance and hopefully it will not be repeated again this season.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Watford: Bunn 7, Geary 6, Stewart 5, Fortune 5, Morgan 6, Nosworthy 5, Montgomery 5, Harper 5, Quinn 5, Yeates 5, Evans 6, Cresswell 7, Ward 6, Henderson 6.
2nd February Tottenham have exercised their right to bring Kyle Walker back to White Hart Lane from his loan spell at United. Spurs signed the highly-rated defender from the Blades last summer before immediately allowing him to return to Bramall Lane on a season-long loan deal. The Premier League club have been monitoring his progress closely and decided just before Monday's transfer deadline to recall him. United officials tried to dissuade Tottenham but were unsuccessful and they must now cope without Walker. Blades manager Kevin Blackwell still has options at right-back for the Championship clash with Watford on Tuesday. Derek Geary could replace Walker or Nyron Nosworthy might come in for his debut after arriving on loan from Sunderland.
1st February Nyron Nosworthy has completed his move to United on loan from Sunderland. Portsmouth failed to agree a financial package with the former Gillingham defender, so he opted for Bramall Lane instead. Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is a fan of Nosworthy but, with the recent signing of Matt Kilgallon from the Blades and the imminent arrival of Alan Hutton, he agreed to a loan for the 29-year-old defender. Fulham defender Toni Kallio has rejoined Championship play-off contenders Sheffield United on loan until the end of the season. The Finland left-back originally moved to Bramall Lane on a short-term deal in November, making two appearances for the Blades. And he will now stay with Kevin Blackwell's men until the end of the current campaign.
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