The Blades’ last trip to Bolton Wanderers for a first team game was six years ago, when under Kevin Blackwell, United contested a Fourth Round FA Cup tie.
Despite having slightly more possession than their hosts, the Blades struggled to create clear cut chances against their higher division opponents, losing 2-0 on a misty afternoon.
A week after selling Matt Killgallon, the Blades were dealt a blow during the warmup when Marcel Seip was injured to be replaced by Jon Fortune.
Arguably the best chance the Blades created was an attempt by Henri Camara who latched on to a through ball from James Harper only to lift his shot over both Jussi Jaaskelainen and the crossbar.
With a crowd of 14,562 looking on, Owen Coyle secured his first win as Wanderers boss, dumping the Blades out of the competition.
Gretar Steinsson (now technical director at Fleetwood Town) opened the scoring, the right back firing through Mark Bunn’s legs from a narrow angle before five minutes from time Johan Elmander scored Bolton’s second with a near identical finish.
Ex-Blades loanee Gary Cahill played for the hosts, with Chris Basham getting five minutes as a substitute.
23/01/2010 – Bolton Wanderers 2- 0 Sheffield United – FA Cup Fourth Round – Reebok Stadium
Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Knight, Samuel (Basham 85), Lee, Ricketts, Muamba, Cohen, Davies (Mustapha 88), Klasnic (Elmander 76).
Sheffield United: Bunn, Walker, Morgan, Fortune, Taylor, Harper, Montgomery, Quinn (Ward 71), Williamson (Cresswell 75), Henderson, Camara (Evans 80).
Attendance: 14562
