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28th March Sheffield United 0 Scunthorpe United 1 (Attendance: 23,005)
Simonsen 7, Connolly, Taylor, Nosworthy, Bartley, Montgomery, Harper (Camara 53, Williamson 78), Yeates (Little 59), Quinn, Cresswell, Henderson,
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Stewart, Seip, Lowton.
Man of The Match: Andy Taylor.
Scunthorpe Line-up: Murphy, A. Wright, Williams, Togwell, McCann (O'Connor 61), Hayes, Thompson, Mirfin (Canavan 34), Woolford, McDermott (Forte 74), Raynes.
Subs Not Used: May, J. Wright, Lillis, McNulty.
Booked: Forte 77.
Scorer: Bothroyd 45.
Referee: Russell Booth (Nottinghamshire).
Sheffield United's Championship play-off hopes have ended after a first-half stoppage-time goal was enough to send Kevin Blackwell’s men to an embarrassing home defeat at the hands of lowly Scunthorpe.
Striker Darius Henderson and winger Mark Yeates returned for the Blades and Scunthorpe also made two changes, with Donal McDermott and Michael Raynes earning recalls.
Both sides struggled for fluency in the opening exchanges, but the Blades looked to force the issue and Henderson was wide with an early header.
Irons defender David Mirfin rescued the visitors in the 20th minute when he blocked Paul Connolly's shot on the goal line and Yeates headed over from Richard Cresswell's shot soon after.
The Blades were given a big let-off in the 31st minute. Nyron Nosworthy's back pass was woefully short and visiting striker Garry Thompson pounced to race clear on goal, only to fire straight at Blades goalkeeper Steve Simonsen.
James Harper curled a right-footed free-kick inches wide for the Blades, but impatient home fans groaned in unison at having to endure more dour first-half action when four minutes of time added on was displayed.
Those groans then turned to jeers of derision as Scunthorpe midfielder McDermott wriggled his way into the area and set up Hayes, who steered the ball underneath Simonsen from eight yards for an unlikely breakthrough.
Yeates' free-kick, after Grant McCann had tripped Stephen Quinn on the left corner of the area, forced visiting goalkeeper Joe Murphy into a good save after 55 minutes.
But it was all uphill for the Blades who struggled to find any sort of fluidity throughout and Blackwell sent on striker Henri Camara for Harper in the 53rd minute.
Glen Little then replaced Yeates as Blackwell looked to turn the game around, while Scunthorpe sent on Michael O'Connor for McCann.
Blades defender Kyle Bartley headed Connolly's free-kick over the crossbar in the 64th minute as the Blades tried to step up the tempo.
But Scunthorpe almost doubled their lead soon after, with Thompson bursting on to McDermott's through-ball and forcing Simonsen into a fine save. The referee then waved away Scunthorpe's penalty appeals when substitute Jonathan Fortune went tumbling in the box, while Henderson's header from Nick Montgomery's ball in grazed the Iron crossbar.
The Blades huffed and puffed in the closing stages, but lacked the cohesion to open-up a determined Scunthorpe rearguard despite five more minutes of time added on.
The home faithful once again vented their frustration with a ever growing chorus of boos at the final whistle. The Blades have won only one of the last seven league games and trail sixth-placed Leicester by seven points with six games remaining. Promotion hopes are now gone and so we must concentrate on winning or drawing the local derby matches and finishing the top side in South Yorkshire.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Scunthorpe: Simonsen 7, Connolly 6, Taylor 7, Nosworthy 5, Bartley 5, Montgomery 6, Harper 6, Camara 5, Williamson 6, Yeates 6, Little 6, Quinn 7, Cresswell 6, Henderson 5,
24th March Cardiff City 1 Sheffield United 1 (Attendance: 18,715)
Simonsen, Connolly, Stewart (Yeates 65), Taylor (Lowton 90), Bartley, Nosworthy, Montgomery, Harper, Little (Williamson 71), Quinn, Cresswell
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Fortune, Seip.
Booked: Connolly 3, Nosworthy 11, Quinn 58, Taylor 87, Williamson 90.
Scorer: Quinn 67.
Man of The Match: Stephen Quinn.
Cardiff City Line-up: Marshall, Rae, Gyepes, Whittingham, Bothroyd, McPhail, Burke, Capaldi, Quinn, Blake, McCormack (Chopra 82).
Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Etuhu, Taiwo, Feeney, Matthews, Wildig.
Booked: Blake 51, Bothroyd 62.
Scorer: Bothroyd 45.
Referee: Danny McDermid (Middlesex).
The Blades came from a goal behind to keep their Championship play-off hopes alive with a hard fought draw at Cardiff City.
Manager Kevin Blackwell made three changes to his starting XI, with Andy Taylor, Kyle Bartley and Glen Little coming in for Marcel Seip, Mark Yeates and Henri Camara. United were only able to name six substitutes due to their extensive injury list.
Tony Capaldi replaced the injured Mark Kennedy in Cardiff`s starting line-up, while Kelvin Etuhu was handed a place on the bench following his recovery from ankle problems.
The Bluebirds started the better and Bothroyd went close in the second minute with a powerful shot on the run. Blades goalkeeper Steve Simonsen was then called into action to keep out free-kicks from Ross McCormack and Jay Bothroyd, before Peter Whittingham forced the Blades keeper into a fine save with a well-struck volley.
Cardiff striker Bothroyd shot weakly at Simonsen when well positioned as the home side continued to create chances at will early on. But United weathered the storm and Glen Little tested goalkeeper David Marshall in the 18th minute with a shot from the edge of the area.
A lengthy lull in proceedings ensued thereafter, but when the next effort on goal did finally arrive on the stroke of half-time, it resulted in Cardiff taking the lead as Bothroyd capitalised on some defensive uncertainty by lashing home shot from 25 yards out.
United made a more encouraging start to the second period and James Harper saw a long-range effort fly over in the 53rd minute. Cardiff winger Chris Burke then warmed the palms of Simonsen from 20 yards before Bothroyd went down in the penalty area, only to be booked for simulation by referee Danny McDermid.
United equalised in the 67th minute, Stephen Quinn eventually prodding home after Marshall had parried away a right-wing cross. The hosts responded and McCormack saw a header cleared off the line within seconds of the restart.
With action now switching from end to end, Blades midfielder Yeates fired a shot straight at Marshall from 25 yards, before Cardiff`s Gavin Rae saw a close-range effort pouched by Simonsen.
Burke blasted a shot over as the hosts piled forward for a winner in the closing stages. Michael Chopra, on as a late substitute, almost provided it with five minutes remaining, but his left-footed strike struck the crossbar with Simonsen beaten. But, United held on for a draw and deserve credit for their resolute performance.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Cardiff City: Simonsen 7, Connolly 6, Stewart 6, Yeates 6, Taylor 6, Lowton -, Bartley 7, Nosworthy 5, Montgomery 8, Harper 7, Little 7, Williamson 6, Quinn 8, Cresswell 7.
22nd March Winger Glen Little believes United cannot afford to drop too many more points if they are to force their way into the play-offs. James Harper's late deflected shot at fellow play-off hopefuls Doncaster over the weekend snatched a point for Kevin Blackwell's side, who slipped five points adrift of sixth-placed Cardiff. The Blades have won only one of their last five league games.
Little said: "When you're chasing the play-offs you want to win games, a point away from home is good, but we want to be winning games." Summer signing Little had tasted only six minutes of league action since late December before replacing Mark Yeates on Saturday, adding: "I enjoyed the game but I was disappointed with my final ball at the times, maybe I was a bit rusty. "I knew when I came here I wouldn't be a regular starter. I still train hard and I feel I have something to offer. I've felt the games I've played so far I've done OK."
20th March Doncaster Rovers 1 Sheffield United 1 (Attendance: 13,026)
Simonsen, Montgomery, Nosworthy, Yeates (Little 45), Harper, Cresswell, Stewart, Seip (Bartley 59), Quinn, Connolly, Camara (Taylor 72).
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Fortune, Lowton.
Booked: Camara 68.
Scorer: Harper 88.
Man of The Match: Nick Montgomery.
Doncaster Line-up: Sullivan, O'Connor, Roberts, Chambers, Hayter, Wilson, Oster, Woods (Hird 85), Coppinger (Mutch 89), Martis, Emmanuel-Thomas (Shiels 78).
Subs Not Used: McDaid, Smith, Spicer, Lockwood.
Booked: Mutch 90.
Scorer: Hayter 5.
Referee: Jon Moss (West Yorkshire).
James Harper's late strike rescued a point for Sheffield United in a 1-1 derby draw against Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium.
United manager Kevin Blackwell handed a debut to goalkeeper Steve Simonsen who signed on loan on Friday, and brought Harper back into midfield. The Rovers had James O'Connor, Mark Wilson and James Hayter back in their starting line-up, with the latter wasting little time in seizing his chance after stepping in for leading goalscorer Billy Sharp, who was left out against his parent club.
The home side got the game underway on a wet and rainy day in South Yorkshire and it was the Blades who won a corner on their right although it came to naught.
Minutes later, the Rovers opened the scoring with their first significant move of the match. Nyron Nosworthy conceded an unnecessary corner and slack defending allowed Hayter beat the stranded Simonsen, firing into the net after just four minutes.
The Blades tried to respond and a Nick Montgomery run won a corner, from which Richard Cresswell headed over. Then Henri Camara's cross just evaded both Stephen Quinn and Cresswell. The home side had another chance when James Chambers delivered a low cross to the near post where Hayter got in a shot but Simonssen was at hand to block.
Five minutes later. Blades striker Camara had shot from about 16 yards which went wide. The Rovers soon resumed their midfield dominance and the Blades defence found themselves under some pressure but the home side could not find a way through.
Blackwell sent on Glen Little for Mark Yeates at the start of the second half and an increase in the tempo gave some optimism for United. At the other end, a 30 yard run from James Coppinger ended in the Blades 18 yards box, where his shot hit Paul Connolly. United sent on Kyle Bartley for Marcel Seip and Camara's was cross headed over by Cresswell. The Blades had half-hearted claims a penalty with a push by Shelton Martis on Cresswell but the referee rightly waived play on. Martin Woods had a 25yard effort pushed out for a corner by keeper Siminssen. Moments later, Rovers goalkeeper Neil Sullivan did well to save a glancing header from Cresswell.
Slowly, United were starting to take control and began to put the pressure on. They were awarded a free kick just inside the Rovers half. Substitute Andy Taylor delivered a well placed ball into the 18 yard area which was not cleared and Harper got in a strike that took a deflection to wrong foot Sullivan and go in for the equalising goal. Five minutes injury time was added and Rovers had a great opportunity when Dean Shiels set up Hayter to hit a half volley woefully over the bar from about15 yards out.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Doncaster: Simonsen 7, Connolly 7, Taylor 6, Stewart 6, Seip 6, Bartley 6, Nosworthy 6, Montgomery 7, Yeates 6, Quinn 6, Little 6, Harper 7, Cresswell 7, Camara 6.
17th March Blackburn have recalled Mark Bunn from his loan spell with United. The goalkeeper moved to the Lane at the start of the season and has been one of the mainstays of Kevin Blackwell's side. However, he has now returned to his parent club to provide cover after No.1 Paul Robinson was ruled out for a month with a torn calf muscle. Bunn's final appearance for United came in Tuesday's 3-0 over Blackpool and Blades coach Gary Speed revealed after the match they would be looking to replace him. He said: "Bunny has gone now. We need to thank him for everything he has done. He has been fantastic. I am sure we will be looking to bring someone in."
17th March Gary Speed believes midfielder Nick Montgomery is one of the main reasons why the club remain in play-off contention. Manager Kevin Blackwell has come under mounting pressure in recent weeks as his injury-hit squad have struggled for consistency but a 3-0 midweek win over Blackpool, aided by Montgomery's first league goal in over four years, kept United in touch with the top six. Speed said: "He was made up because he scored and he deserved that because he has been fantastic all season - and probably our best player for the last two months or so. "Monty is a seasoned pro now and is still improving. He never throws in the towel even when he virtually has to drag the team around. The lad is Sheffield United all the way through." Speed was also full of praise for Paul Connolly, signed on loan from Derby on Monday in time to make his debut against Blackpool. He added: "The lad has only played reserve games at Derby in the last few months and obviously he was tired but didn't put a foot wrong and did a fantastic job."
16th March Sheffield United 3 Blackpool 0 (Attendance: 22,555)
Bunn, Connolly (Bartley 88), Nosworthy, Seip, Stewart, Yeates, Quinn, Montgomery, Cresswell (Harper 76), Henderson, Camara.
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Williamson, Taylor, Little, Fortune.
Booked: Seip 90.
Scorers: Cresswell 1, 66, Montgomery 43.
Man of The Match: Nick Montgomery.
Blackpool Line-up: Gilks, Eardley (Butler 41), Baptiste, Edwards, Crainey, Vaughan, Adam, Southern (Burgess 55), Euell (Bannan 69), Campbell, Ormerod
Subs Not Used: Rachubka, Clarke, Dobbie, Martin
Booked: Southern 31.
Referee: Oliver Langford (West Midlands).
A brace from Richard Cresswell inspired United to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Blackpool and gave their Championship play-off bid a much-needed shot in the arm.
The Blades had Paul Connolly at right back. The Derby defender had signed on loan earlier in the day. Darious Henderson was also recalled to the starting line-up for Kevin Blackwell’s men.
The Blades were forced to attack the Shoreham Kop in the first half. And in a lightening start, United went 1-0 up after just 42 seconds. Blackpool defender Alex Baptiste under pressure from Henri Camera struggled to deal with a long punt forward and turned behind the ball for a corner. Mark Yeates delivered a ball to the back post and three defender on the goal-line failed to clear, leaving Cresswell to prod the ball over the line at the second attempt from one yard out.
The early goal rocked the Seasiders and United pressed forward and after 18 minutes, a Stephen Quinn shot was blocked by goalkeeper Matthew Gilks. The Blackpool defence looked ragged and they were indebted to a over zealous linesman and his flag in front of the South Stand, the official penalised the Blades more than half a dozen times for offside’s much to the frustration of the Kop.
Neal Eardley chased and over stretched to force the visitor’s first corner of the evening, but the Welsh international appeared to pull his hamstring and went down to the side of the Bramall Lane goal. He was subsequently replaced by Andy Butler who slotted in alongside Rob Edwards with Baptiste switching to right back.
Nyron Nosworthy was well-placed to cut out a pass that would have put Jason Euell in the clear but Blackpool's hopes of a revival were dealt a blow after 43 minutes had elapsed. Quinn did well to keep the ball in play close to the John Street touchline. The ball was played into a central position, just outside the Blackpool 18 yard box and Nick Montogmery stormed forward and smashed the ball beyond Gilks, the ball taking a slight defection on its way. The Blades midfielder then raced towards the Kop in celebration, his first league goal since December 2005.
In stoppage time Blackpool forced their second corner of the night but once again the set play failed to test the Blades defence.
The Blades began the second period brightly forcing an early corner and Cresswell attempted to repeat his goal in the first half when he got on the end of another Yeates cross. The visitors then threw on Ben Burgess in place of Keith Southern. It meant a more attacking formation for Blackpool. Burgess saw his header from Vaughan's corner held by Bunn. Montgomery threatened to add a second just before the hour after Camara and Yeates had combined well, but was unable to get his shot away.
Charlie Adam found Blackpool striker Euell with a lofted ball over Blades goalkeeper Mark Bunn, but Connolly was alert and came to the recue to clear the danger.
With 68 minutes gone, United added a third goal. Quinn managed to get to the ball ahead of a Blackpool player and poke the ball forward to Henderson. He raced to the by-line inside the visitor’s 18 yard box and sent a low ball across the six yard box which eluded two defenders and the keeper before Cresswell stuck out his boot and help the ball over the goal-line.
Blackpool made another change three minutes after the goal when Barry Bannan replaced Jason Euell. The Blades made a substitution seven minutes later when Cresswell was replaced by James Harper.
Moments later, ‘keeper Gilks was forced to save from Camara after the striker cut in from a wide position and burst clear of the beleaguered Blackpool back four. Then, Yeates combined with Henderson and the big Lane striker got the better of Edwards and saw his fierce shot turned behind for a corner that Gilks did well to collect.
Connolly was given a standing ovation when he was withdrawn late on and replaced by Kyle Bartley. Yeates almost made it four when he curled wide from the edge of the area. With stoppage time approaching the visitors must have been hoping for the final whistle. Again they were put on the back foot and Baptiste retreated to block Yeates who had gone bursting down right wing.
The win extended their unbeaten record at the Lane to 11 games, but Cardiff's late winner against Coventry meant they remained three points off the play-off places. Still, the Blades had been impressive tonight.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Blackpool: Bunn 6, Connolly 7, Bartley -, Nosworthy 6, Seip 6, Stewart 7, Yeates 6, Quinn 6, Montgomery 7, Cresswell 7, Harper 6, Henderson 6, Camara 6.
13th March Sheffield United 1 Queens Park Rangers 1 (Attendance: 23,456)
Bunn, Nosworthy, Stewart, Morgan, Seip, Montgomery, Harper (Henderson 68), Quinn, Yeates (Little 85), Cresswell, Camara.
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Taylor, Seip, Lowton.
Booked: Morgan 53.
Scorer: Cresswell 44.
Man of The Match: Richard Cresswell.
Q.P.R. Line-up: Stewart, Leigertwood, Gorkss, Connolly, Faurlin, Hill, Simpson, Ephraim (Cook 90), Priskin, Taarabt (Buzsaky 87).
Subs Not Used: McKeown, Day, Crook, Griffiths, Koranteng.
Scorer: Taarabt 47.
Referee: Tony Bates (Staffordshire).
Sheffield United stretched their unbeaten home form to ten games after a workmanlike performance against Queens Park Rangers at the Lane.
The Blades made several changes to the side which started at Peterborough. In came Mark Yeates, Stephen Quinn, Henri Camera and Marcel Seip. Camera partnered Richard Cresswell in attack and Seip joined Chris Morgan in the centre of defence. Darious Henderson was amongst just six substitutes named by manager Kevin Blackwell. QPR boss Neil Warnock named the same starting eleven that beat Plymouth Argyles. Tamas Priskin partnered Jay Simpson in attack for the R's.
The visitors started in positive fashion and won a corner and Adel Taarabt’s header was cleared away to safety. Then, Alejandro Faurlin touched the ball into the direction of Taarabt, and he fired a centre across the face of goal that somehow managed to miss everyone in the box. Moments later, Simpson and Hogan Ephraim combined, and when the latter played Taarabt through on goal, but Blades goalkeeper Mark Bunn came rushing out to come and claim the ball.
Quinn and Yeates were swapping side at regular intervals for United and the later tried to put Camara through, but his shot went just over goalkeeper Carl Ikeme's crossbar. The visitors came close to scoring after 19 minutes when a free-kick was played from deep and Kaspars Gorkšs headed the ball out wide for Ephraim on the left. The winger drove into the penalty area before cutting in to drill a cross-come-shot at goal that smashed against the foot of the right-hand post, before the ball was cleared up field.
Play then switched to the other end, where James Harper's free-kick from the left-hand side was cleared only as far as Nick Montgomery around 20 yards from goal and the midfielder fired high and wide of the goal. Bunn spared the blushes of team-mate Nyron Nosworthy when the defender was caught in possession close to the halfway line. Following a quick break down the left side, the Blades keeper made an impressive block from Ephraim.
Just before the interval, the visitors had another chance. Taarabt found the ball midway into the United half before he slid Ephraim through on goal. Under pressure from his marker but with only the Bunn to beat, the midfielder could only shoot straight at the Blades keeper. And it was a chance that the vistors were left to rue, as United opened the scoring on their next attack.
Yeates made the goal, crossing delightfully for Cresswell, who nodded home superbly to give Blackwell’s’men the lead. The R's had an opportunity to level the scores just before the half-time whistle when Taarabt played Simpson through on a goal, though the frontman could only fire straight at Bunn
Soon after the break, United came close to finding a second goal. Yeates sent in an in-swinging free-kick but neither Camara nor Cresswell could add a vital touch. Just four minutes into the second half and Taarabt stole possession from Seip as the ball bounced up. Noseworthy was completely out of position and the Moroccan midfielder went through on goal with only keeper Bunn remaining and he fired the ball into the net.
The glove wearing Taarabt was causing problems, and he soon came close to adding his second goal of the match. After being fouled on the edge of the Blades penalty area by Morgan, Taarabt bent an effort towards the top left-hand corner that forced a fine save from Blades keeper Bunn. With 68 minutes gone, Henderson made his return to the action in place of Harper.
The vistors had a chance when Faurlin found Leigertwood and he blasted a 25 yard effort just wide. At the other end, Camara went close to winning it for United when he cut in from the left, but his shot was just wide of Ikeme's left post. Glen Little was introduced to the action late on as United went for the winner.
But the match was still swining from end-to-end and Simpson found Taarabt, who from the edge of the box fired straight at keeper Bunn. Montogmary sent Cresswell on his way down the left and he crossed for Henderson but under pressure from Matt Hill was unable to get a touch. Overall, a battling performance from the Blades and considering all the injuries this was not a bad result. At least we are not at the bottom of the Championship fighting relegation. We will keep battling for 6th spot. Remain positive and Up the Blades!
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Q.P.R.: Bunn 7, Nosworthy 5, Stewart 5, Morgan 6, Seip 6, Montgomery 6, Harper 6, Henderson 6, Quinn 6, Yeates 6, Little -, Cresswell 7, Camara 6.
9th March Kevin Blackwell rued his side's injury list as their play-off hopes were dealt a blow with a 1-0 defeat at Peterborough. The Blades put in a woeful performance and were beaten by a 40th-minute Craig Mackail-Smith header, but the night was even more costly for Blackwell as he lost Ched Evans, Jamie Ward and Lee Williamson through injury.
Blackwell's squad this season has been struck down by constant injury problems and as United's play-off ambitions fall by the wayside, the manager is in no doubt as to what has caused the slip down the table.
"It started badly with Ched going off with a broken collarbone, and then Ward went off with a hamstring and also Williamson with a hamstring," Blackwell said.
"It's never easy at the best of times. That is seven or eight players out with injuries in a squad of 21, 22, so you can see why we have got a problem.
"It has been like that twice this season. I said for the run-in that we could not afford injuries or suspension but we have got them by the bucketload now."
Despite seven consecutive away defeats, the Blades remain just four points outside of the top six, but Blackwell was subjected to some angry chants by the United faithful at full-time, who were demanding his dismissal.
9th March Peterborough United 1 Sheffield United 0 (Attendance: 6,674)
Bunn, Montgomery, Morgan, Nosworthy, Evans (Camara 8), Williamson (Yeates 45), Harper, Cresswell, Ward (Quinn 41), Stewart, Bartley.
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Taylor, Seip, Lowton.
Booked: Evans 6, Nosworthy 26, Yeates 76, Stewart 87.
Man of The Match: Mark Bunn.
Peterborough Line-up: Lewis, Morgan, Zakuani, Lee, Dickinson, Frecklington (Torres 45), McLean (Geohaghon 64), Mackail-Smith, Rowe, Little, Green.
Subs Not Used: McKeown, Day, Crook, Griffiths, Koranteng.
Booked: Torres 47, Dickinson 79.
Scorer: Mackail-Smith 40.
Referee: Jarnail Singh (Middlesex).
Craig Mackail-Smith scored the only goal as rock-bottom Peterborough beat a wretched United side 1-0 at home to dent the Blades' play-off bid.
The Blades made three changes with Jordan Stewart, James Harper and Ched Evans returning. United lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with Evans and Richard Cresswell the front men. Harper joined Nick Montgomery in midfield.
Evans had the first effort of the game on three minutes but his low drive from 25-yards was easily saved by goalkeeper Joe Lewis. Then Montgomery flicked on Nyron Nosworthy’s header and clattered with the Posh goalkeeper, this resulted in a booking for Evans who then had treatment before going down the tunnel.
The home side had a chance when Lee Frecklington picked out Dominic Green whose fierce shot was pushed around the post by United goalkeeper Mark Bunn. Frecklington then fired wide of the target with a volley as the Posh piled on the pressure. Evans was replaced by Henri Camara moments later with the striker failing to recover from the injury sustained in the collision with Lewis.
After 20 minutes, a left-footed effort from Frecklington flew over the bar from 25-yards out as the Championships’ bottom club continued to create the more noteworthy opportunities in front of goal. Then, Nosworthy was cautioned for a foul on the superb Mackail-Smith.
A forceful run from Mackail-Smith 12 minutes later saw the Irish midfielder beat two defenders and brushing off the attentions of Jamie Ward. The home side were getting up ahead of steam with Dickinson turning his man and delivering a cross into the box, which was well cleared by Chris Morgan.
From the resulting set-piece, the Posh opened the scoring as a left-wing corner from Green was left by Liam Dickinson and Charlie Lee stooped to header onto the underside of the crossbar, the ball bounced down and Mackail-Smith finished it off.
The Blades made another substitution when Ward was withdrawn for Stephen Quinn and he went on the left of midfield. Mclean hooked a volley into the grateful arms of goalkeeper Bunn moments later as the hosts continued the pressure. Camara attempted an effort from a Nosworthy throw-in, which never troubled keeper Lewis.
United made their final substitution at half-time with Mark Yeates replacing Lee Williamson on the left hand side of midfield. Sergio Torres also replaced Frecklington for the home side.
The Blades were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area after a high foot by Craig Morgan, but Harper sent a terrible effort straight into the wall and then defender Gabriel Zakuani produced a fine block to deny the follow-up from Cresswell. Posh reached the hour mark in a comfortable vain with goalkeeper Lewis still not called upon to make a meaningful save. It was very painful on the eyes for United followers especially to see a side that was in the Premiership a few years ago now playing devoid of ideas and unable to string a few passes together with no width and seemingly content playing the direct ball forward.
Exodus Geohaghon replaced Mclean and the home side went a little more defensive. Midfield man Green curled a shot straight at Bunn. A great burst from full-back Mark Little into the box nearly created the second goal for the hosts as Bunn pushed the ball into the path of the onrushing Tommy Rowe, but he was unable keep his volley down.
Yeates was cautioned for a foul on Rowe on 76 minutes as United tried to break. Dickinson was cautioned by the referee four a foul on Quinn. It was to be a tense final 10 minutes with both sides utilising the long throw. Stewart was cautioned for a foul on the Mackail-Smith with seven minutes remaining. In stoppage time the Blades won a corner after a clearance from Zakuani. Chris Morgan hooked a volley wide of the target from the resulting set-piece to the ironic cheers of the amused home faithful. Mackail-Smith saw a late header saved by Bunn before one last Blades attack was repelled as Chris Morgan put a header wide again to ironic cheers from the home fans. A very embarrassing evening for Unitedites, this has to be one on the worst performances for a while. More alarmingly we have had only one shot on goal in 180 minutes of football.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Peterborough: Bunn 6, Stewart 5, Bartley 5, Morgan 6, Nosworthy 5, Montgomery 6, Williamson 5, Yeates 5, Harper 4, Quinn 5, Ward 5, Evans 5, Cresswell 5, Camara 5.
6th March Crystal Palace 1 Sheffield United 0 (Attendance: 13,455)
Bunn, Montgomery, Morgan, Nosworthy, Yeates (Evans 78), Williamson (Harper 70), Cresswell, Ward, Bartley, Quinn (Camara 58), Kallio.
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Taylor, Stewart, Seip.
Booked: Bartley 67, Williamson 68.
Man of The Match: Mark Bunn.
Crystal Palace Line-up: Speroni, Clyne, Hill, Derry, Ambrose (Hills 90), Carle (Scannell 90), Andrew (N'Diaye 87), Lee, Butterfield, Ertl, Davis.
Subs Not Used: John, Lawrence, Djilali, Mann.
Booked: Derry 48, Davis 67, N'Diaye 89.
Scorer: Lee 23.
Referee: Andy Penn (West Midlands)
Sheffield United’s dismal away form continued with a 1-0 defeat at a troubled Crystal Palace.
Manager Kevin Blackwell made a couple of changes most notably Stephen Quinn returning to the side in place of Henri Camara. Jamie Ward and Richard Cresswell were the strikers in a 4-4-2 formation. In a dour opening period it was Palace who made the first chance of note when Alan Lee and Nick Carle led to the Australian getting a shooting chance from 25 yards out, but it deflected harmlessly into goalkeeper Mark Bunn's hands.
Moments later Danny Butterfield was found on the edge of the box as a Palace corner was cleared, but he smashed the ball high and wide. But he made amends on 22 minutes when his pinpoint cross from the right wing beat Kyle Bartley and dropped to Lee, who managed to get in front of Chris Morgan and poke it past Bunn from six yards out.
Palace could have extended their lead four minutes later when Nick Carle fed Calvin Andrew with a nice through ball, but the striker smashed it high and wide. The Blades threatened late on with a couple of speculative crosses, the best chance being a free-kick four minutes before the break. Mark Yeates delivered and Cresswell just failed to get an outstretched foot to the ball and goalkeeper Julián Speroni gathered from four yards out.
The second half started the same as the first with Palace clearly the better side. Darren Ambrose was played through by a Shaun Derry header and the big striker fired the ball first time from 15 yards into Bunn's arms. Palace had a great chance to extend their lead on 57 minutes. Some neat play on the flank allowed Carle to send in a dangerous cross into the six yard box which found Lee at the back post. The Eagles striker seemed surprised and shot over the crossbar. United had not had a single chance of note, both strikers were sightseers and maybe should have requested a stool each to sit on. The Palace midfield led by the imposing figure of Derry was dominant, Carle was busy and having a field day, the left-footed international was involved in everything in midfield with some nice passing movements throughout.
The one way traffic continued and Ambrose floated a ball in and it was met by Andrew at full stretch, but he jumped marginally too early and was unable to keep his header down. Blackwell threw on three players in the form of James Harper, Ched Evans and Camara, but it was Palace who continued to look a threat going forward.
With eight minutes remaining some very good close-quarter passing led to a foul 25 yards out and Ambrose smashed a dipping effort that was stopped up by Bunn. The best the Blades could muster, despite a flurry towards the end, was a screwed Camara effort from 20 yards that flew harmlessly wide of Speroni's post followed by two late Evans efforts. His first was a volley that he smashed into Camara in stoppage time, and his second was a dipping volley that bounced past the post.
But Palace held on to give Paul Hart his first win as Crystal Palace manager. United on the other hand, need to convince the fans that this was an off day by beating rock bottom Peterborough on Tuesday night. This performance was dire and no excuses can make the fans think otherwise.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Crystal Palace: Bunn 6, Kallio 5, Bartley 5, Morgan 6, Nosworthy 5, Montgomery 5, Yeates 6, Harper 5, Williamson 5, Quinn 5, Evans 6, Cresswell 6, Ward 6, Camara 6.
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