31st December Danny Wilson was delighted with his side's performance in Sheffield United's 3-1 win at home to Hartlepool United. Ryan Flynn, Chris Porter and Ched Evans all scored in the first-half to give the Blades their eight straight win, with Peter Hartley netting a stoppage time consolation for the visitors.

Wilson said: "It was very pleasing - the first 45 minutes in particular. I thought some of the football we played was terrific. "The goals we scored after the interplay was fantastic at times and we could have had more.

"The momentum was taken away a little from us in the second-half but we still created quite a few chances.

"Credit to Hartlepool because they pressed us a bit better in the second-half and made it a bit more difficult for us. The only slight gripe I've got is that we conceded so late."

31st December Sheffield United 3 Hartlepool United 1 (Attendance: 20,372)

Blades Line-up: Simonsen, Lowton (Ertl 56), Jean-Francois, Maguire, Collins, Doyle, Williamson, Flynn, McDonald (Montgomery 80), Porter (Beattie 80), Evans.

Subs Not Used: Long, Philliskirk.

Scorers: Flynn 12, Porter 34, Evans 42.

Man of The Match:. Ched Evans.

Hartlepool Line-up: Flinders, Austin, Humphreys, Liddle, Collins (James 67), Horwood, Monkhouse, Sweeney, Baldwin (Brown 45), Murray (Boyd 45), Hartley.

Subs Not Used: Rafferty, Solano

Booked: Hartley 19, Baldwin 30.

Scorer: Hartley 90+3.

Referee: Gary Sutton (Lincolnshire).

Sheffield United continued their great form with another win, this time with a compressive 3-1 victory over Hartlepool United at the Lane. Stephen Quinn and Richard Cresswell were both suspended and so, Lee Williamson returned along with and Chris Porter who partnered Ched Evans as the front two. Hartlepool, who had just appointed Neale Cooper as manager, had Ritchie Humphreys recalled to the left side of a front three. Jack Baldwin continued in central midfield alongside Paul Murray and Gary Liddle.
The Blades were forced to kick towards the Shoreham and were on the offensive from the start when the ball was delivered by Evans, blocked by Hartley. Hartlepool must have wondered what had hit them with one attack after another from the kick-off. United were rewarded for their excellent opening when after 12 minutes when they went ahead. Kevin  McDonald's short pass threatened to put Evans in the clear and Peter Hartley's challenge only resulted in the ball dropping to Ryan Flynn, who stepped inside two defenders before rifling into the bottom corner of the net from 20 yards out. And worse was to follow for Cooper's men as United went on to double their lead just after the half-hour mark. Evans nipped past Sam Collins to push on into the 18 yard box, before turning cleverly and playing the ball through for Flynn. Despite pressure from Antony Sweeney, Flynn sent a ball across the six yard box where Porter was on hand to head home to make it 2-0. The visitors only chance of the half came when a well-worked move saw Liddle lift the ball into the box from the right and Baldwin fired at goal only to see his effort tipped on to the bar by Blades goalkeeper Steve Simonsen. Just before the break United added a third goal when Williamson crossed in from the right and, amidst a crowd inside the box, Evans was on hand to slot home, and end a excellent first half performance from Danny Wilson’s men.
Harltepool as expected made several changes at the start of the second half, with ‘pools stalwart James Brown and fellow striker Adam Boyd replacing Murray and Jack Baldwin. Hartlepool managed to win two early corners, whilst Evan Horwood fired a long-range free-kick wide six minutes into the period. United, though, were quickly back on the attack and a move involving McDonald, Flynn and Evans resulted in Porter escaping his marker, but he side-footed over and then Flynn forced a save from beleaguered goalkeeper Scott Flinders on the next attack.
Evans, who was again in fine form, burst down the right flank to drill the ball right across the face of goal but despite a line of teammates waiting, they were unable to meet the cross. Evans then found more space to twist and turn before blasting a strike at Flinders, but the visiting keeper was equal to the effort and sent it high over the bar. Flynn had an effort at goal from just outside the penalty box which went wide of the left-hand post and then a out swinging corner taken by Williamson from the right and defender Neill Collins fired at Flinders. After 80 minutes, James Beattie replaced Porter and Nick Montgomery came on for McDonald. Evans could have added to his tally when he latched on to Beattie's flick but lost his footing as he looked to round Flinders. With the game deep into added time, a Hartlepool corner delivered by Horwood caught a defection which allowed Hartley to find space and the net with a goal from inside the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. The Blades end the year in second position in League One.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Hartlepool: Simonsen 7, Lowton 7, Ertl 6, Jean-Francois 7, Maguire 7, Collins 7, Doyle 8, Williamson 7, Flynn 8, McDonald 7, Montgomery 6, Porter 8, Beattie 7, Evans 8.

27th December Sheffield United 2 Notts County 1 (Attendance: 20,538)

Blades Line-up: Simonsen, Lowton, Jean-Francois,  Maguire, Collins, Doyle, McDonald (Ertl 83), Flynn (Montgomery 90+5), Quinn, Cresswell (Beattie 89), Evans.

Subs Not Used: Long, Porter.

Booked: Quinn 18, Cresswell 67, Evans 85.

Scorers: Flynn 31, Sheehan (og) 51.

Man of The Match:. Kevin McDonald.

Notts County Line-up: Nelson, Kelly, Sheehan, Pearce (Hawley 74), L. Hughes, Bishop, J. Hughes, Judge, Sodje, Allen (Demontagnac 56), Burgess.

Subs Not Used: Edwards, Bencherif, Mitchell.

Sent-Off: Demontagnac (90+5) for violent conduct.

Booked: Sheehan 21, Allen 53, Sodje 89

Scorer: Judge 17.

Referee: Jonathan Moss (West Yorkshire).

Sheffield United came from behind to beat Notts County 2-1 to extend their winning sequence to five league games. The Blades had lee Williamson suspended, so Ryan Flynn was his replacement on the left wing and Stephen Quinn on the right wing. Richard Cresswell and Ched Evans were the front two in a 4-4-2 formation. The Magpies had Ben Burgess and Krystian Pearce back after missing the match with Leyton Orient. They also had the familiar bald headed figure of Lee Hughes in attack after getting back amongst the goals last weekend. United were the first to threaten, when Evans raced clear of numerous County players down the right, only the frontman's cross failed to find one of his teammates. At the other end, Alan Judge was given space 25 yards out but his shot found the stand behind the goal.
On 14 minutes, it looked as though Notts’ goalkeeper Stuart Nelson was going to be withdrawn from the action, after he suffered a head injury when he collided with Neil Collins during an aerial challenge. However, following treatment in front of the Bramall Lane stand, the stopper was able to continue.
Moments later, the Magpies grabbed a shock lead, following Harry Maguire's foul on Burgess. The free-kick, from 35 yards out on the left flank, was swung towards the far corner by Judge and the ball evaded everyone including United goalkeeper Steve Simonsen to find the net.  In the 31st minute, the Blades drew level, Michael Doyle found Cresswell down the right flank, and he turned at pace and fired a low cross towards Flynn. And from about six yards he slotted the ball past Nelson to make it 1-1.
The goal immediately lifted the Blades and more chances followed. The first a solo effort by full-back Matt Lowton, which saw him jink his way into the box and strike straight at Nelson. Kevin McDonald then tested Nelson with a first-time shot that forced the stopper into a low parry.
County also came close before the break when Burgess' header cleared the bar and then from Judge's effort shortly after. The midfielder latched onto Jeff Hughes headed flick-on with an first touch but his powerful grounded effort was pushed away by keeper Simonsen in front of the Shoreham Kop.
After 51 minutes, United went in front when Evans, who delivered a throw before County re-grouped. Quinn flicked on and Cresswell challenged with Alan Sheehan, who was credited with turning the ball past his own goalkeeper at the Kop end, although Cresswell will claim it. Nelson prevented United from adding another goal by producing an acrobatic tipping save to deny McDonald. The Lane midfielder had connected with Flynn's out-swinging corner to header forcefully at goal.

The visitors then started to have more of the play as United dropped deeper. Jeff Hughes doggedly retained the ball on the edge of the box and his deflected shot was palmed wide by Simonsen's superb reaching stop. The ball was going wide, but the keeper made sure. United remained a threat and on the counter attack Evans was kept out by Nelson's low save. McDonald also thought he had netted with a long-range shot that rounded off a clever offensive move but Jeff Hughes frustrated him with a brave block. United's first substitution arrived in the final ten minutes when Johnny Ertl replaced McDonald in a tactical change.
County substitute Karl Hawley then stung the palms of Simonsen, after a knockdown by Burgess. The forward's attempt was a spectacular overhead kick and would have undoubtedly beaten the goalkeeper had it been a yard either side. As the Blades looked to kill the game, Evans rattled the bottom of the post. He was then denied by Neal Bishop as he closed in on goal, only for the County captain to nip the ball away with a sliding challenge. Burgess nodded inches over from Judge's searching cross with the visitors’’ final attempt of the afternoon and just before the end, Demontagnac showed himself to be a poor loser when was sent off for throwing the ball in the face of Lowton. In the final minute of normal time, James Beattie was brought on, greeted with resounding cheers. Overall, an excellent win with good individual performances throughout the team. United now move in to second place in League One.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Notts County: Simonsen 7, Lowton 7, Jean-Francois 6, Maguire 8, Collins 8, Doyle 7, McDonald 8, Flynn 7, Ertl 6, Quinn 6, Cresswell 7, Evans 7.

17th December AFC Bournemouth 0 Sheffield United 2 (Attendance: 7,260)

Blades Line-up: Simonsen, Lowton, Jean-Francois, Maguire, Collins, Williamson, McDonald (Ertl 57), Doyle, Quinn, Cresswell (Porter 82), Evans.

Subs Not Used: Long, Flynn, McAllister.

Booked: Maguire 45, Williamson 65, Doyle 81.

Scorers: Barrett (og) 5, Cook (og) 75.

Man of The Match:. Richard Cresswell.

Bournemouth Line-up: Flahavan, Francis, Cook, Barrett, Daniels, Fogden (Taylor 75), Cooper (Molesley 6), Gregory, Pugh, Sheringham, Symes

Subs Not Used: Jalal, Purches, Cummings.

Booked: Sheringham 35, Cook 44, Molesley 67.

Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire).

Sheffield United recorded their sixth successive win thanks to two own goals at AFC Bournemouth in a 2-0 victory on Saturday. The Blades named an unchanged team, keeping faith the side that easily defeated Rochdale with Ched Evans and Richard Cresswell up front in a 4-4-2 formation. Charlie Sheringham (son of Teddy Sherringham) was handed his first Cherries start up front alongside Michael Symes. Meanwhile Wes Fogden took his place in the midfield in another change from last Saturday's win at Huddersfield.

It did not take long for the deadlock to be broken following good football from the Blades. Lee Williamson cut in from the right before a reverse pass to in-form striker Evans. The Welshman fired a venomous ball across the face of goal and Adam Barrett could only deflect the ball past goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan and into the net.
Less than a minute later the hosts were dealt another blow when midfielder Shaun Cooper was forced off to be replaced by midfielder Mark Molesley. The lively start continued with both sides coming close to finding the net moments later. Firstly, Cresswell rounded Flahavan and rolled the ball towards the net but Simon Francis did enough to clear off the line despite the striker's protest. Bournemouth went straight down the other end and Symes fired an effort from twenty five yards narrowly wide of the post.
However following the frantic opening the game settled down into a midfield battle with half chances for Marc Pugh and then Michael Doyle the only time either sides defence was really stretched.

The home side almost and almost conceded a goal five minutes into the second half if it were not for fine play from Flahavan. Cresswell caught out Barrett with a slide rule pass to Evans and the striker saw his shot saved at the near post before the Cherries keeper pounced on the loose ball.
Bournemouth fans, players and management staff alike were growing increasingly frustrated by delays from the Blades, none more so than when the referee stopped play for a Cresswell injury, with the hosts on the attack, even though it was not a head complaint. Still, United have to put up with delaying tactics every week from teams visiting the Lane, so it all evens its self out over the season. With the match entering its final half an hour the home side began to try and apply some pressure with Wes Fogden going close at the near post before Steve Cook's looping header was plucked out of the air by United goalkeeper Steve Simonsen.  However the game was killed off moments later when Bournemouth found themselves two goals behind. Welshman. Evans was the dangerman, using his pace to get away from Barrett before firing the ball across goal towards Cresswell but Steve Cook intervened turning the ball into his own net giving 1,109 Unitedites (many dressed in Santa costumes) some early festive cheer! Danny Wilson's Blades defended well in the remaining moments, as they had done throughout the afternoon, and ensured his side would preserve a clean sheet and condemn Bournemouth to their first league defeat in seven matches and propel United up into third place in League One. The teams above had better watch out the Blades are closing in..

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Bournemouth: Simonsen 6, Lowton 7, Jean-Francois 6, Maguire 7, Collins 7, Williamson 8, McDonald 7, Ertl 7, Doyle 7, Quinn 7, Cresswell 8, Porter 6, Evans 7.

10th December Sheffield United 3 Rochdale 0 (Attendance: 15,892)

Blades Line-up: Simonsen, Lowton, Jean-Francois, Doyle, Evans, Williamson, Collins, Cresswell (Porter 84), Maguire, McDonald (Montgomery 88), Quinn (Flynn 82).

Subs Not Used: Long, Ertl.

Scorers: Evans 39, 64, Cresswell 57.

Man of The Match:. Ched Evans.

Rochdale Line-up: Lucas (Edwards 45+9), Darby, Barry-Murphy, Kennedy, Jones, Bunn, Grimes (Bergkamp 73), Adams (Akpa Akpro 67), Holden, Jordan, Ball.

Subs Not Used: Widdowson, Tutte.

Referee: Dean Whitestone (Northampton).

An in-form Ched Evans scored twice as Sheffield United eased to a 3-0 win at home to Rochdale to make it five wins in a row.
United made two changes to the team that defeated Torquay United in the F.A. Cup seven days earlier. Lecsinel Jean-Francois and Kevin McDonald were recalled to the starting line up in a 4-4-2 formation. There were two changes to the Rochdale starting eleven. Stephen Darby was back in defence, while David Ball made his first start for the club since re-joining two weeks ago.
The Blades were quick off the mark, looking to stamp their authority early on with plenty of pressure applied on the visitors goal. Stephen Quinn tested goalkeeper David Lucas first with a shot from distance after six minutes, and the keeper was able to get his finger tips on to the ball to send it round the post.
Then neat piece of play was started through Michael Doyle who did well to get a foot on the ball which was being held up by Rochdale’s’ Gary Jones in midfield. This freed up Ched Evans who found Williamson on the right wing. It was a good cross from Williamson but Darby did well to follow the ball and headed it clear.
David Ball had the visitors first half chance of the game when his left foot shot trickled past the left hand post without causing United goalkeeper Steve Simonsen any cause for concern.
Nicky Adams came close minutes later when he tried a shot at Simonsens near post following an inch perfect lay off from Ball, but the United keeper managed to close him down.
But it was United who were controlling the match and they opened the scoring. Ched Evans forced a good reaction save from Lucas after he hit the ball on the volley from a deflected cross which came of Darby. This was the first of two efforts on goal in as many minutes for Evans, his second effort finding the back of the net.

The goal made it five in five games for the Blades striker. Lucas did well to stop Evans sneaking a crossed ball into his near post. The low cross from Williamson was smothered by the keeper.
Moments later Matt Lowton saw his right footed shot curl past the post before Quinn's volley flew over the bar. As the game approached half time, Lucas received a head injury in his 18 yard box after an accidental collision. There was a lengthy stoppage before the keeper was stretchered off to applause from United and Rochdale fans. Substitute goalkeeper Matty Edwards replaced Lucas in the visitors goal..

After the break the visitors were lucky not to go two goals behind sooner than they did. Evans who grabbed United’s first, perhaps should have done better when the ball was played to his feet three yards out, but he side footed it over the bar.

The Blades continued to apply the pressure with Rochdale having just one opportunity in the ten minute leading up to the second of the afternoon. On 59 minutes the Blades doubled their tally, Richard Creswell firing home from close range after an excellent cross from Jean Francois on the left wing. Adams hit a volley up into the stand, before Jean Francois saw his fly past the post. This was moments before Evans added his second of the afternoon and put United 3-0 up. His free kick from the edge of the box left Edwards with no chance as it rocketed in the top left hand corner of the net.

Two minutes later and Dean Holden was at the visitors rescue as he cleared an effort from Creswell off the line after a misplaced pass back from Stephen Jordan had created the opportunity for the United striker. Overall, a decent performance from United, albeit against a toothless Rochdale side.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Rochdale: Simonsen 7, Lowton 8, Jean-Francois 7, Maguire 7, Collins 7, Doyle 6, McDonald 8, Williamson 7, Quinn 7, Flynn 6, Cresswell 7, Evans 8, Porter 6.

3rd December Ched Evans fired a brace as Sheffield United produced a second-half comeback to beat Torquay 3-2 in the FA Cup second round.

Rene Howe gave the Gulls a third-minute lead before a Mark Ellis own goal and Evans' double sealed the game despite a late consolation from Danny Stevens.

After an emotional minute's applause for former Blades player and manager Gary Speed, Martin Ling's men raced ahead. Kevin Nicholson's searching free-kick was flicked on by Lee Mansell and top-scorer Howe smashed the ball past Steve Simonsen at his near post.

The Blades almost levelled the tie on 25 minutes but Evans' free-kick was spectacularly turned over by Bobby Olejnik. In-form Welsh striker Evans rattled the right-hand upright seven minutes after the restart before the comeback began.

Centre-half Ellis sliced Matthew Lowton's low left-footed cross into his own net on 68 minutes before Evans lashed home from the edge of the area following a strong run.

Evans slotted in to seal the win 12 minutes from time following Olejnik's poor clearance before Stevens powered home at the death.