30th August Sheffield United snatched a 2-1 victory at Burton Albion in the Football League Trophy 1st Round. Justin Richards gave the League Two side the lead but the Blades hit back through David McAllister and substitute Erik Tonne in a late flurry of goals. Burton were much the more dangerous team in the first half against a Blades team showing five changes from Saturday's win at Yeovil. Goalkeeper George Long had to make a full-length save to keep out a Ryan Austin free-kick and the lively Jacques Maghoma hit the crossbar with a 15-yard shot. Maghoma and Jimmy Phillips also fired narrowly and Austin went close with a header. The Blades had a chance to break the stalemate against the run of play but Danny Philliskirk missed the target with a close-range header. But Burton went ahead when Richards turned superbly to strike from the edge of the area in the 73rd minute. It took the Blades only four minutes to draw level as McAllister raced on to a Harry McGuire pass to score from 10 yards. Norwegian Tonne clinched it for the visitors when his 30-yard shot slipped through the hands of goalkeeper Ross Atkins in the 80th minute.
27th August Yeovil Town 0 Sheffield United 1 (Attendance: 5,001)
Simonsen, Lowton, Jean-Francois, Collins, Maguire, Montgomery (McAllister 57), Doyle, Flynn (Mendez-Laing 87), Quinn, Cresswell, Porter (Slew 64).
Subs Not Used: Long, Bogdanovic.
Booked: Flynn 35, Lescinel 42, Cresswell 63, Doyle 71.
Scorer: Porter 41.
Man of The Match: Neill Collins.
Yeovil Town Line-up: Steer, Ayling, Huntington, A. Williams (Edgar 45+1), Upson, Maclean (Fallon 82), G. Williams, Ehmer, O'Brien (Gibson 85), Haynes-Brown, Wotton.
Subs Not Used: Bell Baggie, Stewart.
Booked: Wotton 22, MacLean 28, Haynes-Brown 31.
Sent-Off: Haynes-Brown 90+7.
Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).
Chris Porter's first-half header was sufficient to give Sheffield United a 1-0 win at Yeovil in an ill-tempered affair. Nick Montgomery recovered from a stomach bug to take up his place in midfield and Porter returned to the starting eleven. Yeovil made two changes from last weekend. Bondz N'Gala failed to recover from his hamstring injury in time so Curtis Haynes-Brown came in while Scottish striker Steve MacLean returned to the side.
It took until the tenth minute for there to be a chance worthy of the name as Sheffield United passed the ball around comfortably and Yeovil replied with quick breaks. Andrew Williams failed to test goalkeeper Steve Simonsen after his neat control and Stephen Quinn was forced to clear at the back post for United from Alan O'Brien's cross. Then Paul Huntington played a long diagonal pass to Williams who chested it down but could not get his shot on target.
The game then descended from a decent spectacle into a niggly affair with four bookings in the space of a quarter hour. Yeovil midfielder Paul Wotton was penalised for fouling Blades defender Matt Lowton and he was quickly followed into the book by Maclean for a show of dissent who threw the ball away after a call on a throw-in. Haynes-Brown was the third Yeovil player to be booked, just after the half hour, for a crude challenge on Ryan Flynn right by the dug-outs, who, moments later, picked up United's first yellow card for tugging back a breaking Ed Upson. Michael Doyle couldn't get enough height to direct a header on goal from a far post cross and as the drizzle came down, Richard Cresswell was blocked right on the edge of the box by Max Ehmer with referee Stroud insisting the kick was retaken fro encroachment. Then, Glovers defender Huntington timed his challenge perfectly in the box to deny Porter as he was about to shoot for goal.
It was not until the later stages of the half that United began to create opportunities. After 36 minutes, a Quinn free-kick allowed Lowton to force the ball home from close range but the officials had spotted a foul on the home goalkeeper Jed Steer and then Harry Maguire smashed a long-distance free-kick over.
However, United went ahead just before half time. Cresswell's sent the ball across the park for Lowton and then Blades right-back launched a long ball into the Yeovil box cross. Cresswell used his controlled the ball on his chest before flicking over the goalkeeper and Porter arrived just in time to head over the line from about one yard out. In injury-time Porter came close to a second but his header from Lowton's cross went over the crossbar.
The second half began with Upson curling a long range shot over the bar but the game was then halted for fully four minutes as Nick Montgomery landed awkwardly after an aerial challenge and was stretchered off. Quinn was unable to take advantage of a mistake from Gavin Williams on the
hour mark, but after twisting and turning, his shot lacked power. Midfielder Doyle was booked for holding back Maclean, and from the resulting free-kick, on 72 minutes, Wotton forced a save from Simonsen and Max Ehmer's follow up was held by the Blades keeper even though the German defender was in a offside position at the time. Upson fired another long ranger over and two minutes later, there was a flare-up between Quinn and Edgar, the Yeovil players seemed to be targeting the Blades midfielder and trying to get him in more trouble after Quinn had thrown the ball to ground. Simonsen made an impressive save, low to his right, to keep out Edgar's long range effort which zipped along the turf in the rain. The Unitedites continued to back their side in the pouring rain standing in an uncovered section of the ground. And despite six minutes of stoppage time due to Montgomery's injury, Yeovil couldn't find the breakthrough. Haynes-Brown was sent off in injury-time after picking up his second yellow card for a foul on Jordan Slew and United held on for a deserved win.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Yeovil Town: Simonsen 7, Lowton 6, Jean-Francois 6, Collins 8, Maguire 7, Montgomery 6, McAllister 6, Doyle 7, Flynn 6, Quinn 6, Cresswell 7, Porter 7, Slew 6.
20th August Tranmere Rovers 1 Sheffield United 1 (Attendance: 6,244)
Simonsen, Lowton, Jean-Francois, Maguire, Collins, Montgomery, Doyle, Slew (Porter 58), Williamson, Quinn (Mendez-Laing 90), Cresswell.
Subs Not Used: Long, Harriot, Philliskirk.
Booked: Quinn 29, Williamson 76, Montgomery 86.
Scorer: Montgomery 44.
Man of The Match: Nick Montgomery.
Tranmere Line-up: Fon Williams, Kay, Goodison, McChrystal, Buchanan, Welsh, Weir, Robinson (Labadie 77), Akins (Tiryaki 62), Showunmi, Devaney.
Subs Not Used: Courtney, Bakayogo, Taylor.
Booked: Devaney 7, Welsh 11, Robinson 72.
Scorer: Labadie 80.
Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire).
Nick Montgomery hit a superb first-half goal as Sheffield United maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 1-1 draw at Tranmere.
United started the game with the same side that beat Walsall. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing dropped to the bench, where he was joined by the fit-again Chris Porter. The home side made two changes to their side, Lucas Akins and Michael Kay returning to the starting eleven.
The host had the better of the opening on a greasy pitch, Enoch Showunmi heading wide from Akins cross on four minutes and Mark McChrystal sending a fierce volley towards goal a minute later and goalkeeper Steve Simonsen again having to save.
David Buchanan looped a volley into the arms of Simonsen on nine minutes and moments later United's Stephen Quinn tested goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams at the other end.
Andy Robinson chipped a cross to the far post from where Akins saw his downward header well saved by Simonsen. Fon Williams pushed the ball away from his goal as Matthew Lowton headed a corner towards the net at the near post a United corner on 18 minutes before the home side somehow survived a goalmouth scramble which seemed to involve more than half the players on the pitch.
The Rovers keeper was called on again on 21 minutes, twice punching clear before saving from Jordan Slew. Eight minutes later, a free kick from Robinson was headed into the ground and goalwards by Akins with Simonsen again on hand to keep the score level.
But, the Blades grabbed the lead on 43 minutes. The ball was played across the Tranmere half to Blades captain Nick Montgomery who shot first time from 30 yards with his right foot, the ball flying into the top left corner with Fon Williams having no chance of a save.
The two teams were unchanged for the start of the second half and it was United who dominated the early stages though they were unable to test Fon Williams in the Tranmere goal. A foul on Robinson gave Rovers a free kick in a decent shooting position on 55 minutes and he took the set piece, with his curling shot going a couple of yards over the bar.
Tranmere substitute Mustafa Tiryaki almost levelled the score a minute later, sending his header from Devaney's cross towards the top left corner only for Simonsen to again save.
Then, Devaney and Buchanan combined on the left from a corner with the ball eventually played into the area from where substitute Labadie stooped to head in from 12 yards to make it 1-1.
Richard Cresswell had a chance to put United back ahead with a couple of minutes remaining when he broke through one on one with Fon Williams but the striker miss hit his shot and the ball comfortably ran to the Rovers keeper. Overall, the Blades should not be disappointed to come away with just a point from this encounter.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Tranmere: Simonsen 7, Lowton 7, Jean-Francois 7, Maguire 7, Collins 7, Montgomery 8, Williamson 7, Quinn 7, Doyle 6, Cresswell 6, Slew 6, Porter 6.
24th August Everton 3 Sheffield United 1 (Attendance: 17,173)
Simonsen, Lowton, Jean-Francois, Doyle, Flynn (Porter 56), Williamson, Collins, Cresswell (Bogdanovic 60), Harriott (McAllister 74), Maguire, Quinn.
Subs Not Used: Long, Tonne, Mendez-Laing, Slew.
Booked: Lescinel 18, Flynn 32.
Scorer: Cresswell 28.
Everton Line-up: Mucha, Hibbert, Baines, Heitinga, Jagielka, Arteta, Barkley (Baxter 77), Osman (Neville 77), Fellaini, Rodwell (Saha 65), Anichebe.
Subs Not Used: Distin, Howard, Vellios, Wallace.
Booked: Arteta 40, Fellaini 79.
Scorers: Cresswell 31 (og), Anichebe 37, Arteta 42.
Referee: Nigel Miller (Co Durham).
Everton booked their place in the third round of the League Cup after coming from behind to complete a 3-1 victory over Sheffield United.
The Blades went in front against the run of play in the 28th minute at Goodison Park through Richard Cresswell, but the same player diverted the ball into his own net moments later after goalkeeper Steve Simonsen had got a palm to a strike by Jack Rodwell.
The Toffees then took control of proceedings, with goals from Victor Anichebe and Mikel Arteta swiftly turning the game on its head in the space of five minutes before the break.
United manager Danny Wilson made two changes with Flynn returning and teenager Matty Harriott given his first start of the campaign. Jordan Slew dropped to the bench and Nick Montgomery missed out with a stomach bug. The Blades began with a 4-5-1 formation with Cresswell alone in attack, supported by Stephen Quinn. Lee Williamson and Flynn were the wide midfielders.
Everton made five changes for the cup tie, with Jan Mucha, Tony Hibbert, Arteta, Marouane Fellaini and Anichebe all coming into the starting line-up. Teenage midfielder Ross Barkley kept his place after making his senior debut in the league match at the weekend.
Fellaini brought a save out of Simonsen in the fifth minute with a low shot from the edge of the area before Barkley rampaged forward and fired an effort wide. Arteta had a strike blocked at the end of a good Everton move and Anichebe put the ball the wrong side of the post after turning in the box. Further attempts followed from Barkley and Fellaini, with the only respite for the Blades being a shot well off-target by Harry Maguire.
Arteta was presented with the best chance yet to open the scoring in the 20th minute but made a hash of it from close range. Fellaini muscled through a clutch of defenders to unleash an effort which deflected wide, and Barkley scooped the ball over the bar.
United had offered virtually nothing in attack, but just prior to the half-hour mark they suddenly snatched the lead as Cresswell slid in to meet Quinn's cross and prod it past Mucha.
The advantage lasted three minutes, Simonsen parrying Rodwell's strike at the other end and the unfortunate Cresswell getting the final touch as the ball bobbled over the line to make it 1-1.
Anichebe then put the Toffees ahead, connecting with Barkley's drive across the area to sweep home.
And Everton had another three minutes before the interval as the ball broke to Arteta, who stroked it beyond Simonsen from just outside the box. Quinn called Mucha into action with a shot six minutes after the restart, but the hosts were back in control as Simonsen saved efforts from Barkley and Leon Osman.
Everton continued to press, with Anichebe volleying wide before Fellaini and Arteta sent attempts too high.
Everton boss David Moyes then added fresh legs to his forward line, throwing on Louis Saha in place of Rodwell. Daniel Bogdanovic replaced Cresswell after the hour mark and he immediately tried something ambitious which sailed over before Osman nearly added a fourth for the hosts, rifling the ball against the post with 15 minutes of normal time remaining. The Toffees midfielder was then replaced by Phil Neville, while the impressive Barkley was substituted by Jose Baxter.
In the last 10 minutes Matthew Lowton directed a header into the arms of Mucha, who also tipped over a shot by Maguire. It was Everton who almost finished with a flourish, though, Anichebe finding himself through on goal only for Lecsinel Jean-Francois to make a last-ditch tackle.
20th August Tranmere Rovers 1 Sheffield United 1 (Attendance: 6,244)
Simonsen, Lowton, Jean-Francois, Maguire, Collins, Montgomery, Doyle, Slew (Porter 58), Williamson, Quinn (Mendez-Laing 90), Cresswell.
Subs Not Used: Long, Harriot, Philliskirk.
Booked: Quinn 29, Williamson 76, Montgomery 86.
Scorer: Montgomery 44.
Man of The Match: Nick Montgomery.
Tranmere Line-up: Fon Williams, Kay, Goodison, McChrystal, Buchanan, Welsh, Weir, Robinson (Labadie 77), Akins (Tiryaki 62), Showunmi, Devaney.
Subs Not Used: Courtney, Bakayogo, Taylor.
Booked: Devaney 7, Welsh 11, Robinson 72.
Scorer: Labadie 80.
Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire).
Nick Montgomery hit a superb first-half goal as Sheffield United maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 1-1 draw at Tranmere.
United started the game with the same side that beat Walsall. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing dropped to the bench, where he was joined by the fit-again Chris Porter. The home side made two changes to their side, Lucas Akins and Michael Kay returning to the starting eleven.
The host had the better of the opening on a greasy pitch, Enoch Showunmi heading wide from Akins cross on four minutes and Mark McChrystal sending a fierce volley towards goal a minute later and goalkeeper Steve Simonsen again having to save.
David Buchanan looped a volley into the arms of Simonsen on nine minutes and moments later United's Stephen Quinn tested goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams at the other end.
Andy Robinson chipped a cross to the far post from where Akins saw his downward header well saved by Simonsen. Fon Williams pushed the ball away from his goal as Matthew Lowton headed a corner towards the net at the near post a United corner on 18 minutes before the home side somehow survived a goalmouth scramble which seemed to involve more than half the players on the pitch.
The Rovers keeper was called on again on 21 minutes, twice punching clear before saving from Jordan Slew. Eight minutes later, a free kick from Robinson was headed into the ground and goalwards by Akins with Simonsen again on hand to keep the score level.
But, the Blades grabbed the lead on 43 minutes. The ball was played across the Tranmere half to Blades captain Nick Montgomery who shot first time from 30 yards with his right foot, the ball flying into the top left corner with Fon Williams having no chance of a save.
The two teams were unchanged for the start of the second half and it was United who dominated the early stages though they were unable to test Fon Williams in the Tranmere goal. A foul on Robinson gave Rovers a free kick in a decent shooting position on 55 minutes and he took the set piece, with his curling shot going a couple of yards over the bar.
Tranmere substitute Mustafa Tiryaki almost levelled the score a minute later, sending his header from Devaney's cross towards the top left corner only for Simonsen to again save.
Then, Devaney and Buchanan combined on the left from a corner with the ball eventually played into the area from where substitute Labadie stooped to head in from 12 yards to make it 1-1.
Richard Cresswell had a chance to put United back ahead with a couple of minutes remaining when he broke through one on one with Fon Williams but the striker miss hit his shot and the ball comfortably ran to the Rovers keeper. Overall, the Blades should not be disappointed to come away with just a point from this encounter.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Tranmere: Simonsen 7, Lowton 7, Jean-Francois 7, Maguire 7, Collins 7, Montgomery 8, Williamson 7, Quinn 7, Doyle 6, Cresswell 6, Slew 6, Porter 6.
18th August United have completed the signing of Elian Parrino from Argentinian club Estudiantes de la Plata.
The versatile defender, 22, who had a spell on loan at Bramall Lane last season, has signed a one-year deal with the club.
Parrino commented: "I'm really happy to be back. I want to play in England because I enjoyed it here last season - the stadiums, facilities and fans are fantastic.
"It was about three weeks ago when I heard that there was a chance to come back and I made it known that's what I wanted.
"I didn't play so much last year, but my time with United certainly helped me become a better player and hopefully the fans will get to see that. I'm better now physically, mentally and technically."
Parrino made nine appearances, including eight starts, for the Blades during January and February last season.
16th August Sheffield United 3 Walsall 2 (Attendance: 16,443)
Simonsen, Lowton, Jean-Francois, Montgomery, Mendez-Laing (Williamson 58), Slew, Collins, Cresswell, Maguire, McDonald (Doyle 52), Quinn.
Subs Not Used: Long, Bogdanovic, Tonne.
Booked: Lowton 23, Slew 88, Jean-Francois Lescinel 90+2.
Scorers: Lowton 59, Williamson 68, Cresswell (pen) 74.
Man of The Match: Stephen Quinn.
Walsall Line-up: Walker, Westlake, Sadler, Butler, Lancashire, Grigg, Macken, Hurst (Jarvis 83), Taundry, Gnakpa (Nicholls 69), Peterlin.
Subs Not Used: Smith, Beevers, Grof.
Booked: Peterlin 58.
Scorers: Hurst 46, Grigg 51.
Referee: Andy Haines (Tyne and Wear).
Sheffield United stunned Walsall with a superb comeback to win 3-2 at the Lane and maintain their 100 per cent start to the season.
The Blades selected the same squad and, starting eleven from the victory over Brentford. Walsall included left-winger Kevan Hurst and captain Andy Butler who had a red card rescinded from last week by the FA, allowing him to play tonight.
It was the visitors who were the first to create a couple of notable opportunities. A neat move ended with Richard Taundry trying his luck from distance, but he was off target and then a free-kick in a dangerous position following a foul on Anton Peterlin as he looked to make progress into the area. Kevan Hurst's effort struck the defensive wall and went out for a corner that was cleared.
The first foray forward for the Blades saw an inviting corner headed wide by Neill Collins. A chance for Walsall as a move ended with Jon Macken making room for a shot that was superbly pushed onto the crossbar by goalkeeper Steve Simonsen.
Just after the half hour mark there were shouts for a penalty from the United supporters as Stephen Quinn went down but the appeals were waved away. Excellent low save from Saddlers goalkeeper James Walker denied Nathaniel Mendez-Laing who hit a screamer from distance.
On the half time whistle the Unitedites showed their appreciation for the first half performance. The Blades had played with a composure and some arrogance that had not been seen for a while, particularly in defence taking their time before moving the ball forward. No one was complaining especially after what we had to suffer last season.
The visitors must have been give a right going over at the break because they came out and instantly put United’s back line under pressure. A ball from right to left picked out Hurst, who cut inside Matthew Lowton and deceived Simonsen with his shot.
The goal stunned the Lane faithful, for all our possession one quick break had given the visitors an undeserved lead. United attempted an immediate response with Richard Cresswell getting on the end of a cross from Mendez-Laing. At the other end, Hurst found himself in a similar position to his first goal but this time he hit the side-netting. There was another acrobatic save from Simonsen to deny Macken from the edge of the area and from the resulting corner, Will Grigg fired home from close range to make it 2-0.
Before the restart the struggling Kevin McDonald was replaced by Michael Doyle but he could not stop Walsall going close soon after. A low shot was spilled by Simonsen and Claude Gnakpa was denied from the rebound by the Lane keeper who redeemed himself well.
The general feeling from the home faithful was that we had dominated the possession and there was no reason why we could not make a comeback against an ordinary League One side. The fans started to really get behind United, and it was not long before they pulled a goal back when a low ball in from the right was converted by Lowton. Quinn and substitute Lee Williamson were involved before the Blades right-back slotted the ball home from the edge of the six yard box.
The goal lifted the Lane crowd even more and they gave some fantastic backing as the side went for the equaliser. Lowton was denied a penalty when he was felled in the box and from the resulting Quinn corner, Cresswell saw his header cleared off the line by Darryl Westlake, whilst Slew smashed rebound over the top.
It was inevitably the equaliser would come with the visitors goal under increasing pressure. Collins brought the ball out of defence and found Williamson who curled the ball sweetly into the net beyond keeper Walker, before celebrating with the Shoreham Kop. Harry Maguire did very well to prevent Grigg getting on the end of a Nicholls cross as Walsall looked to regain the lead, but this was just a rare foray forward for the beleaguered visitors.
With the Walsall goal under siege they cracked and a penalty was awarded following a foul by Mat Sadler on Williamson and Cresswell stepped up to make no mistake firing straight down the middle from the spot and turn the score line on its head.
A strike from distance by Quinn landed on the roof of the net. But hesitation in the United defence saw a chance fall to midfielder Peterlin whose attempt hit the foot of the post and rebounded away from danger. Late on, the Blades ran the clock down by keeping possession. So three wins from three and it has been enjoyable viewing, United are playing some excellent passing football which is something we did not see much of last season. But the biggest improvement has been in the defence.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Walsall: Simonsen 6, Lowton 7, Jean-Francois 7, Collins 7, Maguire 7, Doyle 7, Montgomery 7, Williamson 8, McDonald 6, Mendez-Laing 7, Quinn 8, Cresswell 7, Slew 6.
13th August Sheffield United 2 Brentford 0 (Attendance: 17,769)
Simonsen, Lowton, Jean-Francois, Collins, Maguire, Montgomery, McDonald, Quinn, Mendez-Laing (Williamson 67), Cresswell, Slew (Bogdanovic 67).
Subs Not Used: Long, Doyle, Tonne.
Booked: Cresswell 77.
Scorers: Slew 49, Cresswell 70.
Man of The Match: Harry Maguire.
Brentford Line-up: Lee, Woodman, Douglas, Donaldson (MacDonald 45), Weston, Logan, McGinn (Saunders 45), Osborne, Alexander (O'Connor 78), Legge, Reeves.
Subs Not Used: Eger, Moore.
Booked: Logan 58), Osborne 77.
Referee: David Webb (Lancasshire).
Danny Wilson celebrated his first home game in charge of Sheffield United with a 2-0 win over Brentford at Bramall Lane
United had Kevin McDonald in their starting eleven. The Scottish midfielder had only signed earlier in the day. Jordan Slew returned to the side alongside Richard Cresswell. Brentford made one change from the side which beat Yeovil on the opening day of the season, Leon Legge returning to the centre of defence in place of German Marcel Eger.
The first chance went to the visitors when left back Craig Woodman had an early shot blocked but the Blades had the better of the first 15 minutes. McDonald shot over after a corner was half cleared and Slew fired in to the side netting after finding his way past Shaleum Logan when a pass in to the middle may have resulted in the opening goal.
Karleigh Osborne made an important block from a Nathaniel Mendez-Laing effort after he swapped passes with Stephen Quinn. It appeared that the visitors had come for a point, playing deep looking for the odd break. They did have a couple of chances when Niall McGinn had an effort which was blocked by Lecsinel Jean-François, before Gary Alexander nodded narrowly over headed narrowly over.
Quinn shot well over and then brought a low save from Bees’ goalkeeper Richard Lee after cutting in from the left flank. Neill Collins headed over for the Blades before McGinn curled an effort inches wide from a Jonathan Douglas pass. The Northern Irishman went close again soon after, shooting narrowly wide after bursting from his own half.
The Blades should have taken the lead seven minutes before the break when Slew found space in the box but Lee saved superbly and the visitors scrambled two follow-up efforts from Cresswell off their line.
United goalkeeper Steve Simonsen held a low Myles Weston effort and then McDonald curled an effort across the face of Lee's goal moments before half time but four minutes after the re-start the Blades went ahead. Brentford were caught out by a quick throw in, Cresswell laid it off in to the path of Slew and his deflected effort beat Lee.
Matthew Lowton thought he had doubled the lead moments later but the goal was ruled out for handball and beleaguered keeper Lee had to get down well to keep out another cross-cum-shot from the full back soon after.
Sam Saunders had a shot saved for the visitors but Brentford were very much on the back foot as United piled on the pressure in front of the Shoreham Kop, and Legge made a vital headed block to keep out a powerful Jean-François shot.
Douglas volleyed over for Brentford but United made the game safe with 20 minutes remaining. Substitute Lee Williamson and McDonald combined to open Brentford up, Lowton squared it and Cresswell poked it in from close range.
Collins headed over soon after but with their two goal lead United didn't have to commit men forward and Brentford couldn't break their well-organised defence down. The Bees had plenty of possession in the later stages but it was all in their own half and they failed to create many openings of note. Douglas headed a Reeves cross wide and Simonsen got down well to prevent Charlie MacDonald turning in a Weston cross. The Blades keeper made a fine save from left winger Weston again in stoppage time to ensure his side kept a clean sheet and the points. An excellent team performance from the Blades.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Brentford: Simonsen 7, Lowton 7, Jean-Francois 7, Collins 7, Maguire 8, Montgomery 6, McDonald 7, Quinn 6, Mendez-Laing 7, Williamson 6, Cresswell 8, Slew 7, Bogdanovic 6.
9th August Hartlepool United 1 Sheffield United 1 (Sheff Utd won 4-3 on pens) (Attendance: 2,774)
Simonsen, Lowton, Jean-Francois, Montgomery, Mendez-Laing (Slew 64), Doyle (Philliskirk 112), Williamson (McAllister 81), Collins, Cresswell, Maguire, Quinn.
Subs Not Used: Harriott, Conneely, Tonne, Long.
Booked: Collins (ET).
Scorers: Quinn 29.
Hartlepool Line-up: Flinders, Austin, Collins, Hartley, Horwood, Solano (Luscombe 68), Liddle (Murray 78), Sweeney, Monkhouse, Nish, Boyd (Poole 64).
Subs Not Used: Humphreys, Haslam, Baldwin, Rafferty.
Booked: Monkhouse, Nish 86, Flinders (ET).
Scorer: Sweeney 80.
Referee: Paul Tierney (Lancashire)
Danny Philliskirk was the Sheffield United hero as he scored the winning penalty in a League Cup shoot-out against Hartlepool. The game finished 1-1 after extra time, with Antony Sweeney cancelling out Stephen Quinn's opener.
And after skipper Sam Collins saw his spot-kick saved, youngster Philliskirk converted to send the Blades through after a 4-3 shoot-out success.
The Blades opened the scoring after 29 minutes when Nathaniel Mendez-Laing crossed for Quinn to head past Scott Flinders.
Flinders pulled off a superb save to deny Richard Cresswell, while Nolberto Solano should have scored from six yards but Simonsen tipped the ball around the post on the stroke of half-time.
Mendez-Laing curled the ball against the crossbar from 18 yards after 55 minutes, while the same player was denied by Flinders moments later.
Pools snatched an equaliser with 10 minutes remaining when sub Nathan Luscombe's perfectly weighted pass set Sweeney clear and he lashed the ball into the roof of the net.
Sweeney limped out of the action after 86 minutes, meaning Hartlepool, having used all three subs, had to play extra-time with 10 men - who held on but failed in the shoot-out. source: Teamtalk
6th August Sheffield United manager Danny Wilson has hailed the thousands of travelling fans who saw their side win 2-0 at Oldham.
Oldham held their own in an even first half, but goals from teenage defender Harry Maguire and striker Richard Cresswell in the space of six second-half minutes secured Wilson a win in his first game in charge of the Blades.
Wilson commented: "Three points on the opening day is a great start, everyone, on paper, would have expected us to win, but we didn't take liberties predicted a battle and got it.
"Because we take such a following of supporters, it becomes such a big game for other clubs. The travelling fans were absolutely brilliant, in the three or four months since I've been here I've seen a tremendous loyalty from them and we have to work hard to repay that commitment."
He added: "We put out a strong team, physically, we'd had Oldham watched, we needed experience out there and man-to-man we did our jobs.
"Maybe it was not pretty at times, but we had to roll our sleeves up and battle and we did that - defensively, not just the back five, but throughout the team we were great.
6th August Oldham Athletic 0 Sheffield United 2 (Attendance: 8,032)
Simonsen, Lowton, Jean-Francois, Collins, McGuire, Flynn (Williamson 73), Doyle, Montgomery, Quinn, Porter (Bogdanovic 78), Cresswell.
Subs Not Used: Aksalu, Long, Mendez-Laing, Slew.
Booked: Jean-Francois 38, Lowton 41, Williamson 90.
Scorers: McGuire 48, Cresswell 54.
Man of The Match: Richard Cresswell.
Oldham Line-up: Cisak, Lee, Diamond, M'voto, Black, Winchester (Millar 66), Furman, Lund, Taylor, Reid (Parker 60), Smith.
Subs Not Used: Gerrard, Brooke, Mellor.
Referee: Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire).
Danny Wilson enjoyed the perfect start to his Sheffield United managerial career as the Blades secured a 2-0 win at Oldham.
United lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with new signing Chris Porter and Richard Cresswell in attack and the other new signings Lecsinel Jean- Francois in the defence and Ryan Flynn on the wing. Latics manager Paul Dickov selected Carl Winchester to replace the suspended Filipe Morais in his midfield.
After what had seemed like an eternity waiting for the new season to arrive, the match kicked off with 3,597 Blades fans – that’s almost half the overall attendance inside Boundary Park.
The home side started the brightest when Reuben Reid was unable to latch onto the ball after a dribbling run from Winchester. The Blades began to settle and control proceedings, a header from Neill Collins was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Alex Cisak and, after some pressure on the left the ball was cleared by Latics defender Zander Diamond straight to left-back Jean- Francois, who fired just over from about 25 yards out. Then, the home side had a couple of chances Jean-Yves M'voto headed over Matthew Lund 's cross and Chris Taylor under pressure from Nick Montgomery blasted over. Late in the half Oldham had two chances of note, firstly when Matt Smith could only direct a header straight at goalkeeper Steve Simonsen and then attacking midfielder Taylor made an storming run which was followed by a shot which skimmed over the crossbar.
At the start of the second half United grabbed the lead when a corner from Stephen Quinn was met by Maguire after easily out jumping a statuesque M’voto and heading into the far corner of the net. The players led by Maguire celebrated with the Unitedites behind the goal.
The second goal followed just six minutes later when Quinn crossed from the left and Cresswell siding in, managed to get there before Dean Furman and poke the ball past the keeper who had no chance. The Latics brought on Josh Parker and Kirk Millar for Reid and Winchester as they attempted to make their way back into the game.
The home side had their best chance to reduce the deficit when Diamond flicked Smith's header just over the bar from in front of goal. Wilson brought on Lee Williamson for Flynn on the right and Daniel Bogdanovic for Porter. Matthew Lowton did well supplying Creswell who shot just wide, and Oldham went close again soon after when M'Voto saw a goal bound header cleared off the line by right-back Lowton.
Late on, Williamson’s effort went just wide after a neat one-two with Bogdanovic. Overall a excellent workman like performance, with some solid defending and the Blades always looking dangerous up front.
Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Oldham: Simonsen 6, Lowton 7, Jean-Francois 7, Collins 7, McGuire 8, Flynn 6, Williamson 6, Doyle 7, Montgomery 7, Quinn 6, Porter 7, Bogdanovic 7, Cresswell 8.
5th August United have brought in another new addition with the loan signing of Wolves winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing. The 19-year-old looked set to join Peterborough on a permanent deal last month having helped Posh win promotion to the Championship while on loan there for the whole of last season.
But the move fell through and Blades boss Danny Wilson has now stepped in to secure his services until 3rd January. "He is just what we need right now," commented Wilson. "Nathaniel is strong, fast and will be a good addition to our squad as we look to make a powerful start." Mendez-Laing , who is yet to make a first-team appearance for Wolves, is set to go straight into the squad for Saturday's big kick-off away to Oldham.
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