United have signed defender Neill Collins on a two-and-a-half-year deal from Championship rivals Leeds United for an undisclosed fee. Collins joined Leeds on a permanent deal from Preston in July following a successful loan spell. The Scot has played for six English league teams, including a three-month loan spell at Bramall Lane in 2005-06. The Blades have sent on-loan defender Kyle Bartley back to Arsenal, who have immediately loaned him to Glasgow Rangers.
Blades Line-up: Simonsen, Parrino, Mattock, Lowry, Bartley, Montgomery, Quinn (Kozluk 84), Ward, Cresswell (Bogdanovic 88), Bent (Yeates 64), Evans.
Man of The Match: Nick Montgomery.
Norwich Line-up: Ruddy, R. Martin, Drury, Whitbread (Nelson 86), Crofts, Holt, Jackson (Wilbraham 75), Hoolahan (Lappin 69), Fox, C. Martin, Barnett.
Referee: Andy Haines (Tyne & Wear).
Andrew Crofts scored two second-half goals as Norwich enhanced their promotion credentials with a 2-1 victory over a luckless Sheffield United side still searching for their first win under Micky Adams.
Marcus Bent came straight into the starting line-up for United, Richard Cresswell was back on the left of an attacking line up which included Jamie Ward on the right and Ched Evans in a central role with Bent. Joe Mattock and Shane Lowry remained in the back four to make their home debuts, but Johnny Ertl and Lee Williamson dropped to the bench.
The Blades started well and made the early running and they were finding space down the channels, Evans latching on to a good ball into the box but the Lane striker could only direct his effort wide. And he went even closer on 12 minutes when new signing Bent headed the ball back for him to hit from outside the area just missing the far post by a couple of yards.
The visitors were finding it hard to get hold of the ball and Andrew Crofts found himself with an early booking on 14 minutes after a challenge on Stephen Quinn. Goalkeeper John Ruddy kept the Canaries in the game with a good stop on 22 minutes after Jamie Ward delivered a free-kick. Evans fired straight at Ruddy, and the ball deflected over the bar for a corner off the keepers legs.
Two minutes later the visitors had their first meaningful attack; such had been the domination by United. Simeon Jackson running down the left and putting a dangerous ball into the box, which United found difficult to clear and it was just bundled away for a corner. The Blades were continuing to dictate the game and on 33 minutes a foul was awarded for a challenge by Leon Barnett on Quinn just outside the 18 yard box . After a small meeting of three Uni ted players, Evans hit the free-kick round the wall but unluckily it went just beyond the post. Norwich had offered next to nothing as an attacking force, but came closest to breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time when Chris Martin's free-kick struck the crossbar. United had played some entertaining football in the first half, continually harrying Norwich, not allowing them time on the ball. Nick Montgomery and Quinn in particularly shone for the Blades, and Micky Adams’ side were applauded off the field at half-time.
At the start of the second half, Cresswell tried his luck from the edge of the box after Bent flicked on, whilst Grant Holt, not a favourite with the Lane faithful, had a good opportunity on 48 minutes, hitting a first-time volley from a Wes Hoolahan cross, but it did not trouble Steve Simonsen in the Blades goal, and he collected comfortably.
The game was opening up and the Canaries were getting more of the ball. After 60 minutes, a slip by Lowry allowed Jackson to get beyond the defender in the box, but a last-minute block by Kyle Bartley saved the Blades and a corner was conceded.
However, from the resulting set-piece Norwich went ahead, the corner came in from David Fox for Zak Whitbread to challenge United keeper Simonsen. The loose ball fell to Andrew Crofts to hit home and put the Canaries in front, to the delight of the visiting fans behind the goal. Simonsen believed he had been fouled and was subsequently booked for storming out to argue the decision.
However, the visitors were unable to hold their lead after a quick response from United. From a long punt up field from Simonsen midway in his own half, the ball found its way to Evans feet in the box and he held off the challenge of Barnett to turn and place a low shot into the bottom corner and then run to the corner of the Shoreham Kop to celebrate.
The game continued to open up and on 72 minutes Chris Martin forced Simonsen into a good save and from the resulting corner Holt headed just wide of the far post. But with 10 minutes remaining disaster struck for United when from another Fox corner the visitors regained the lead. The former delivery caused the Blades problems in a crowded box and Evans was clearly pushed over off the ball by Whitbread, in the scramble that followed, the ball fell to Crofts and he lashed the ball home. Massive protests followed and Quinn was booked. The referee indicated four minutes of added time, but United were unable to find an equaliser.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Norwich : Simonsen 6 , Parrino 7 , Mattock 6 , Lowry 6 , Bartley 6 , Montgomery 8 , Quinn 7 , Kozluk 6 , Ward 6 , Cresswell 6 , Bent 6 , Yeates 5 , Evans 7 , Bogdanovic -
United have signed Michael Doyle from Coventry on a free transfer, with the midfielder penning a two-year contract at the Lane. Doyle becomes Blades boss Micky Adams' first permanent signing since he took over the reigns from Gary Speed. The 29-year-old was part of Leeds' promotion squad last season while on loan at Elland Road and is delighted to have made the move. "I am looking forward to the challenge of helping this massive club get back up the table, and delighted to be re-united with Micky Adams because he was a big reason in me deciding to come here," Doyle commented. Adams is also pleased to have signed a player who will bring experience to his squad. "He is a known quantity who has worked for me before. We were in a similar situation when I took over at Coventry and he was a big part in us turning things around, so he will bring experience and competition for places in midfield," he said.
Micky Adams has signed striker Marcus Bent on loan for United from Birmingham City for the rest of the season. The 32-year-old previously enjoyed a 13-month stint at the Lane from October 1999 to November 2000 when he was signed from Port Vale by then manager Adrian Heath.Adams has moved swiftly to find an experienced frontman to add some impetus to his attack and previously managed the striker at Leicester. The Blades boss will be desperate for Bent to find anything like the type of form he displayed during his first spell with the Yorkshire club, when he netted 20 times in 48 league games. Bent joined Wolves in the summer from Birmingham on loan but has failed to break into Mick McCarthy's team this season. The much-travelled forward has also played in the Premier League with Everton, Blackburn Rovers and Wigan.
Blades Line-up: Simonsen, Parrino, Mattock, Lowry, Bartley, Montgomery, Ertl (Cresswell 77), Quinn, Williamson (Britton 84), Ward (Bogdanovic 77), Evans.
Man of The Match: Steve Simonsen.
Coventry Line-up: Westwood, Keogh, O'Halloran, Doyle, Eastwood, Jutiewicz (Platt 86), Cranie, Gunnarsson, Baker, McSheffrey, Wood.
Referee: Colin Webster (Tyne & Wear).
Sheffield United battled their way to a useful point in a 0-0 draw at Coventry in a physical hard fought match.
Micky Adams made three changes following the defeat to Aston Villa with new loan signings Shane Lowry at centre-back and Joe Mattock at left-back making their debuts while Stephen Quinn returned from suspension, United lined up in a 4-4-2 with Ward and Evans as the front two. Coventry named the starting XI which saw off Crystal Palace in FA Cup action last weekend, Coventry certainly started the encounter on the front foot, with five corners inside the opening 15 minutes.
The Sky Blues continued to force the issue, albeit without really threatening United goalkeeper Steve Simonsen over the first half-hour. But the experienced goalkeeper quickly rose to the occasion to keep the Blades on level terms three times in the space of a matter of minutes and then never looked back.
He first parried Lukas Jutkiewicz's effort before getting up to divert McSheffrey's shot on the rebound wide, and then denied Freddy Eastwood with a fine stop. Simonsen was at it again before the half-time whistled sounded, spilling Carl Baker's 38th-minute long-range effort but blocking the rebound from Jutkiewicz who should have lifted the ball over him. The 31-year-old then tipped Baker's brilliant shot around a post and again denied Jutkiewicz to ensure, somehow, it remained level at the break.
United started brightly after the interval as they looked to change the pattern of play, Ched Evans firing wide before seeing Keiren Westwood do well to block his effort from six yards. It was a more keenly-contested second half as the Blades posed an attacking threat of sorts, but it was the Sky Blues who continued to look most likely to break the deadlock.
McSheffrey saw a first free-kick strike the crossbar in the 57th minute before a couple of headers went off target. And the former Birmingham winger was left cursing his luck again in the 70th minute as he watched another set-piece strike hit the bar, rebound off Simonsen and away.
Westwood blocked from Quinn at the other end before McSheffrey fired one final chance over from seven yards late on. Overall a good performance from the Blades, particularly the defence. The average age of the back four was just 21 and so a lot of credit must go to them for the resilient defending.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Coventry : Simonsen 8 , Parrino 7 , Mattock 6 , Lowry 7 , Bartley 6 , Montgomery 7 , Ertl 7 , Cresswell 6 , Quinn 6 , Williamson 6 , Britton -, Ward 6, Bogdanovic 6 , Evans 6 .
The Blades have signed Aston Villa defender Shane Lowry on loan for the remainder of the season.Lowry has made just three substitute appearances during his Villa career and had spells on loan at Plymouth and Leeds last season. He attracted interest from Derby earlier in this campaign and had been chased by a string of clubs following the opening of the January transfer window. However, he has secured a move to Bramall Lane and new Blades boss Micky Adams is happy to have brought in the Australian.
United have completed the loan signing of defender Joe Mattock from West Brom until the end of the season. Mattock, 20, will go straight into Micky Adams' squad for Saturday's clash at Coventry.
Adams commented: "Joe's young and enthusiastic and certainly gives us competition for places. He had an injury at the start of the season which limited his opportunities for West Brom but he's naturally left-footed and having him here will help us climb the table." Mattock made his debut for hometown club Leicester as a 16-year-old in 2007 and went on to make more than 50 appearances for the Foxes before joining West Brom for an undisclosed fee in August 2009.
Blades Line-up: Simonsen, Kozluk, Parrino (Slew 90), Bartley, Ertl, Britton, Montgomery, Williamson (McAllister 74), Ward, Evans, Bogdanovic.
Man of The Match: Daniel Bogdanovic.
Aston Villa Line-up: Friedel, Dunne, Young, Pires (Downing 66), Agbonlahor, Albrighton, Reo-Coker (Collins 90), Clark, Cueller, Bannan (Petrov 66), Walker.
Sent-Off: Young 77 (second yellow card).
Referee: Michael Jones (Cheshire).
Kyle Walker scored a brilliant goal on his Aston Villa debut to help give the visitors a 3-1 win at Sheffield United in the FA Cup 3rd round.
Blades manager Micky Adams made several changes with Leon Britton and Daniel Bogdanovic returning in a 4-3-3 formation. The substitute’s bench contained David McAllister, a midfielder from Ireland brought in at the start of the transfer window. Aston Villa had a strong squad and gave a debut to new loan signing and Sheffield-born former Blade, Walker, who joined the Midlands club from Tottenham earlier in the week and received a warm welcome from the Lane faithful.
United must have lost the toss and were forced to kick towards the Shoreham Kop in the first half. The visitors opened the scoring with the first attack after six minutes. Walker showed his pace down the right before cutting inside on to his left foot, moving easily past Kyle Bartley and firing home.
Midway through the half a poor back header from Richard Dunne allowed Jamie Ward a chance but he was thwarted by Brad Friedel in the Villa goal, the veteran keeper making a point-blank save. Bartley volleyed over another Ward corner on 25 minutes, whilst Ched Evans headed a free-kick wide soon after.
On 33 minutes, United were punished by Premiership quality finishing. Luke Young rushed down the left channel and delivered a pinpoint ball into the box which Marc Albrighton volleyed confidently into the net from close range. It was no more than the visitors had deserved for their domination.
Kyle Bartley almost gave United hope at the end of the first half but his 20-yard drive flew over the bar. The Blades came storming out at the start of the second half and immediately gave themselves hope with a converted penalty. Defender Carlos Cuellar fouled Lee Williamson as he ran into the box and Ward despatched the spot-kick past Friedel.
Buoyed but the goal, United continued to force the game. Walkers’ poor pass allowed Bogdanovic a shooting opportunity but Friedel made a fine save, and then a Montgomery effort was blocked. Gabriel Agbonlahor fired wide after beating Johnny Ertl for pace but United were soon back on the attack and another Montgomery shot was blocked.
Villa substitute Stiliyan Petrov had a gilt edged chance with 15 minutes remaining, firing straight at United goalkeeper Steve Simonsen, after a ball through from Young. In the final 15 minutes United gave a debut to McAllister, replacing the tiring Williamson.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Aston Villa : Simonsen 6 , Kozluk 6 , Parrino 6 , Bartley 5 , Ertl 6 , Britton 5 , Montgomery 6 , Williamson 7 , McAllister 6 , Ward 7 , Evans 6 , Bogdanovic 7 , Slew -
Blades Line-up: Simonsen, Parrino, Kozluk, Bartley, Ertl, Williamson (Harriott 85), Montgomery, Yeates, Cresswell (Bogdanovic 78), Ward (Britton 72), Evans,
Man of The Match: Rob Kozluk.
Doncaster Line-up: Sullivan, O'Connor, Lockwood, Hayter, Wilson, Oster, Mills, Shiels (Chambers 61), Souza, Coppinger (Webster 89), Sharp (Healy 90).
Sent-Off: Souza 58.
Referee: Tony Bates (Staffordshire).
Rob Kozluk struck in the sixth minute of added time to earn a point for Sheffield United in a 2-2 draw with 10-man Doncaster at Bramall Lane.
New manager Micky Adams was formally introduced to the Lane faithful just before kick-off and he was afforded a rapturous welcome as the ran over to the Shoreham Kop and made a ‘T’ gesture meaning ‘give me time’.
There was a change in the defence with Kozluk at left-back and Argentinean Elian Parrino was making his debut at right back. Johnny Ertl partnered Kyle Bartley in the centre of defence. Lee Williamson joined Nick Montgomery in the centre of midfield in a 4-4-2 formation. Ched Evans partnered Jamie Ward in Attack.
The Rovers made changes from the last match with Adam Lockwood, Dean Shiels and Dennis Souza coming into the starting eleven.
The Blades kicked off but it was the Rovers who went on to the attack when James O'Connor put in a high cross that was dropping under the bar before blades goalkeeper Steve Simonsen got a fingertip to it and put it over. Then Kyle Bartley headed straight in the direction of the Blades goal, luckily Simonsen was well placed and gathered easily. Another cross from O'Connor gave Billy Sharp the chance of a shot at goal but, under challenge, he fired over the bar. Minutes later and a free kick to the Rovers from a central position twenty-five yards out taken by James Coppinger was blocked and a follow-up shot by Mark Wilson was also blocked. For United, Evans was off target with two efforts in quick succession and then at the other end, John Oster curled a 30-yard free-kick over the crossbar. It was now building up to a typical 'derby' game, with tackles flying in that resulted in bookings for Souza and Kozluk. A couple of long Kozluk throws caused problems and from one it appeared as though Richard Cresswell was being held but the referee waved play on. After 39 minutes, a free kick on the Rovers right by Mills was put into the net by Sharp but was ruled out by the linesman for offside. As half-time came up a cross from the home right was met by Cresswell at the far post but he headed wide. Late in the half Cresswell went close on two occasions. Under pressure from O'Connor, he headed a Mark Yeates cross wide and then just failed to get on the end of Ward's pass.
The second half started with United much the brighter of the two teams. The Blades first corner was eventually cleared and then Evans brought a fine one-handed save from Sullivan with a shot from 15 yards. In the 55th minute Sullivan was again in action when a Kozluk throw in caused problems for the visitors but Yeates was unable to get enough power on a shot. A couple of minutes later and Evans was well placed and got on the end of a free kick, the Lane striker chose to head it over Sullivan but the keeper was equal to it and caught it comfortably. Then, in the 58th minute, Evans was fouled by Souza. The Rovers had already been booked and had been fouling throughout the whole of the first half unpunished, but this time the referee had seen enough and give the Rovers man a second booking for a foul just outside the Doncaster 18 yard box. However, in the 67th minute, Coppinger from the Rovers left fed a ball through to Sharp, who side-footed home from close range before celebrating with the large Rovers following at the Bramall Lane end. James Hayter was then just wide from the edge of the penalty area after Sharp set him up.
Back came the United, winning successive corners and a good shout for a handball but gaining no reward. Then, in the 72nd minute Coppinger was barged over in the penalty area and the well positioned referee pointed to the penalty spot and Sharp fired the ball past Simonsen.
But the Blades did not give up, and piled forward backed by the Lane faithful. It was massive defensive effort by the Rovers to contain the Blades as they flooded forward. Shot after shot rained in on Sullivan. Evans knocked down Ertl's cross but Cresswell fired over on the turn. It was the latter's last action as he left the field moments later holding his ribs after going down in front of the John Street stand. Bogdanovic was brought on to add late fire power. The inconsistent referee once again incensed the Blades faithful when O'Connor again appeared to block a Montgomery shot with his arm, chants of ‘cheat’ rained down from the Kop stand. Montgomery's left-foot shot forced a save from Sullivan as the game entered the final ten minutes and then a Bartley error almost handed Hayter a goal.
Rover’s goalkeeper Sullivan was warned for time wasting and must have though his side had weather the storm, but with tree minute remaining, Kozluk crossed from the left flank and Bogdanovic tapped in from close range. Seven minutes of added time was indicated so a grandstand finish was on the cards. With the Doncaster goal under siege, United found their deserved equaliser when Kozluk worked a shooting position as he came in from the left and rifled past Sullivan into the far corner of the net to send the faithful on the Kop into rapture of celebrations. So a good performance today, there was much improvement here to see, especially from previous weeks and particularly in defence. Ertl and Bartley combined well, the Argentinian lad did well on his debut and Kozluk was inspired. Up front United made plenty of chances and the inroduction of Bogdanovic seemed to make the difference.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Doncaster : Simonsen 7 , Parrino 6 , Kozluk 8 , Bartley 6 , Ertl 7 , Williamson 6 , Harriott 6 , Montgomery 6 , Yeates 7 , Cresswell 7 , Bogdanovic 8 , Ward 7 , Britton 6 , Evans 7 ,
Blades Line-up: Wright (Simonsen 45), Nosworthy (Parrino 45), Ertl, Britton, Evans, Yeates, Calve, Williamson (Bogdanovic 71), Cresswell, Ward, Lowton.
Man of The Match: Ched Evans.
Burnley Line-up: Grant, Alexander, Duff, Carlisle, Marney, Iwelumo (Thompson 80), Elliott (Edgar 90), Mears, Rodriquez, Easton, Eagles.
Referee: Rob Shoebridge (Derbyshire).
Sheffield United was condemned to a third straight defeat after a 4-2 Championship defeat against Burnley at Turf Moor. United were looking for a fresh start after appointing Micky Adams as their new manager as they sought to pull away from the relegation places.
The Blades showed a total of five changes to their side with Jamie Ward, Johnny Ertl, Lee Williamson and Leon Britton starting. Steve Simonsen dropped to the bench and Richard Wright returned in goal.
Amongst the substitutes for United were a number of youngsters, including Jordan Slew and 18-year-old Academy midfielder Matthew Harriott. Argentine defender Elian Parrino was also on the bench. Richar Cresswell took over captaincy duties whilst the formation was 4-4-2 with Ward partnering Ched Evans in attack.
The first chance went to the home side when from a Tyrone Mears cross, Chris Iwelumo nodded down for Dean Marney but his header was straight at a grateful Wright, whilst the home fans were appealing for a penalty when Johnny Ertl clashed with Iwelumo just seconds later
The Blades started well and Matt Lowton found Ward, and he broke away and forced Lee Grant to parry his shot as he cut in to test the Clarets' goalkeeper. And when the same combination squared up again, it was the Lane marksman who came out on top.
Ward's shot was saved by keeper Grant, but not cleared from the danger area and when the ball dropped at the feet of Mark Yeates, the midfielder coolly picked his spot to find the bottom corner to send the Unitedites into celebrations right behind the goal.
Burnley might have had a difficult time lately, but they bounced back and brought the game to United. A cross from Wade Elliott saw Graham Alaxander's shot blocked and when Brian Easton returned the ball from the opposite flank Iwelumo’s header was saved by Wright at full stretch in the Blades goal.
Elliott then switched wings and pulled the ball back for Jay Rodriguez, whose shot would surely have beaten Wright had it gone a yard either side of the grateful keeper. Alexander's surge forward was interrupted on the edge of the penalty area and as the ball bounced 30 yards from goal the Blades probably felt safe.
But Burnley's pressure finally paid off just before the half hour mark when Nyron Nosworthy's shocking swipe at the ball allowed Eagles to seize his chance. The dangerous right sided midfielder fired back a 30-yard effort which beat Wright and went in off the inside of a post.
The goal instantly lifted home fans mood and by half-time the Clarets were seemingly cruising with two goals in as many minutes. Iwelumo left the sleeping Nosworthy and stretched to head home a perfectly delivered Michael Duff free-kick to move into double figures for the season.
And Rodriguez, who was battling to overcome a bug, then got another goal in the second minute of injury time when he got on the end of an Elliott cross to drill home a left-footed shot to take his tally for the season to five.
The Clarets had got themselves just where they wanted to be at half-time. The Unitedites who had made the journey were besieged with anger at some of the shocking defending especially from Nosworthy, who got into an angry verbal exchange with some United fans as he left the field at half-time.
United made tow substitutions at half-time, Steve Simonsen replaced Wright in goal. And Elian Parrino replaced Nosworthy, this one was greeted by a huge cheer from the following Unitedites. Within 40 seconds of the second half starting, United made it 3-2 when Evans was tripped by Duff and the striker picked himself up to score from the penalty spot.
The momentum swung in favour of United for a short spell and Britton forced Grant to save following a corner. United tried to pile on some pressure but the home side started to threaten themselves again as Rodriguez twice went close as Eagles and Wade Elliott once more stretched the wretched United's defence.
At the other end, Blades' substitute Daniel Bogdanovic got a brief sight of goal as a free-kick was flicked beyond the far post. But his shot barely troubled Grant before Iwelumo put a half-chance wide with his last touch ahead of making way for Steven Thompson.
And it proved an inspired substitution as Thompson killed the game off five minutes from time. The impressive Eagles avoided a number of challenges before laying into the path of the Scottish striker, who prodded home from close range.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Burnley: Wright 5 , Simonsen 6 , Nosworthy 4 , Parrino 6 , Ertl 6 , Britton 6 , Evans 7 , Yeates 7 , Calve 5 , Williamson 7 , Bogdanovic 6 , Cresswell 6 , Ward 7 , Lowton 5 .