Deadbat
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It was another magical cup night at Bramall Lane as the Blades once again overcame the underdog status to go through to the cup semi-finals of the League Cup. Facing high flying Southampton, United fought like trojans but also played some lovely stuff and were worthy winners long before the Saints spoiling tactics threatened to boil over at the end. Rival manager Ronald Koeman’s reaction at the end was surprising and disappointing from a man with such a storied career but deep down he must surely accept his side was well beaten. The only goal came from Marc McNulty as he forced home after Bob Harris’ ferocious free kick could only be partially saved for Fraser Forster. After this the Southampton keeper was the busier keeper as he made several saves to deny United a second. The visitors had a lot of the ball but in truth create little and anything but a home victory would have been a travesty. A late red card amidst a series of agricultural challenges on the tireless Marc McNulty saw the game end in ugly fashion but could not detract from the Blades performance.
Nigel Clough opted to give a first start for over a year to Florent Cuvelier and went with McNulty as the lone striker with Louis Reed also given a start. Chris Basham returned to centre back and Ryan Flynn continued at right back.
Southampton were without the suspended Grazianno Pelle and rested Dusan Tadic but fielded a very strong line up otherwise with the influential Morgan Schneiderlin returning and many of their regular line up also appearing.
The Saints started the game well and moved it about nicely but Untied gradually got into the game and actually created the better early chances. From a free kick from the right that Campbell Ryce sent over; Forster spilt the cross and looked for a foul but as he dithered, McEveley hooked it over his head and onto the top of the bar.
Campell Ryce put in an inviting cross that was cleared at the near post before Cuvelier’s free kick was over after Fonte fouled him to lead to the award. Southampton showed a flurry of quality play that saw the ball transferred from left to right but Clyne was blocked out after a good run and then the ball was cleared.
The Saints best chance came from a Ward Prowse free kick which Howard and the defence struggled to get clear but the ball was eventually put out of the box after some pinball had ensued.
United were well in the game and were playing things at such a higher tempo than in previous games. The way they broke with pace when they could was pleasing to see for the home crowd who were warmed by the genuine desire to get forward along with determined defensive play. Clyne and Mane were booked after a series of fouls prior to this had gone unpunished as Oliver seemed to be losing control of the game for a spell.
More neat stuff from United saw them break but Cuvelier miskicked at the last before another decent move saw Reed fire over. Basham then showed lovely skill to break and got to the byline but his cross was sliced wide by Cuvelier.
Harris was booked for pulling back Long and then Mane shot wide when well found by Ward Prowse just before the break. United had been very good in the first half and were well in the game creating more chances and arguable looking the better side.
At the break Adams came on for his debut replacing Campbell Ryce who presumably went off with an injury.
The second half saw the Saints try and make a conscious effort to come out with more determination and they seemed to move each department higher up the pitch in an attempt to have more ball and create more chances.
Murphy hit a shot wide when well placed after good work from Harris down the left before Long had a shot blocked at the other end.
United had a great chance soon after as Murphy’s cross was headed goalwards by McEveley but Forster palmed away and then Adams could not convert the rebound. Cuvelier and Basham were booked for cynical pull backs and then United started to take control again with some quick breaks from midfield leading to chances. One such chance saw Murphy cross but after Adams had miscontrolled initially he recycled play for Doyle to hit a fierce shot that Forster palmed behind.
Then on the hour things came to life as Reed robbed Mane who pulled him back. It was debatable if was in or out of the box but it seemed like it should have been a yellow card at least but Oliver gave nothing.
From the free kick right on the edge of the box, Harris hit a ferocious free kick that rocked Forster back as he saved and the ball spiralled across the line. It looked like it may just cross the line but MCNULTY made sure smashing it home. Cue jubilant scenes in front of the Kop.
As the celebrations continued Chris Morgan was sent to the stands allegedly for something he said to the fourth official. Ronald Koeman also came across and had words as the game was becoming increasingly fractious not helped by a poor refereeing performance.
Southampton came with a period of possession and won two quick corner but United through Basham in particular were remaining resolute. A chance came when neat football saw Mane played in but his low shot was well saved from Howard with his feet.
United broke again and McNulty was in on goal but his shot was well saved by Forster. The same man combined with Murphy and another save was made.
On came Baxter and Wallace for Cuvelier and Reed and United fans waited for the potential late onslaught but it never seemed to come and the home side if anything looked more likely to score again. More rapid football saw United break and Murphy was in but his effort was saved and McNulty had his follow up blocked by a defender. Howard took a big catch from a corner as the clock entered stoppage time (four minutes) before McNulty’s tireless showing saw him get away from Gardos who clumsily hauled him down. The red card was inevitable as he was the last man. Baxter blazed over but soon after Fonte was the next to haul McNulty down and it saw another yellow card for a disappointingly cynical Saints side.
United saw out the remaining time and the players could celebrate in a well-deserved huddle in front of the Kop as the crowd stood and saluted very player to a man as they left the rain soaked night. It was another great cup win and a superb performance and victory for the Blades.
United – Well what can I say? I have criticised the side over a lot of this season for slow, lifeless and spineless play. They have lacked drive, aggression, tempo and the ability to dig in; let alone only flurries of skill/decent football against some very poor sides at League One Level. Tonight they were brilliant. To a man. They fought hard, played with their hearts but also their heads. They played at a high tempo and attacked well when they could and defended so resolutely. They put bodies in the line but were not just clinging on as at times they broke well and played some lovely football. It was like some of the cup games last season as they were able to get bodies forward and at pace and although kept a good shape still committed bodies forward when they could and because of this created lots of chances. Over the game we had many more chances than them even if the stats may suggest they had more of the ball; I am not sure what they did with it? Sure at times we had to sit in and clear/head away and make blocks but they did not exactly pepper our goal and Howard although played well only had a couple of saves to make all game. Forster was the much busier.
It is frustrating that we can go from such a slow and tepid showing at Fleetwood to that. Course it being a cup semi helps and being underdogs seems to suit us but we really have set the bar tonight and the players have proved they are good enough (certainly at League One level). Maybe as teams like Southampton come onto us and we have one v one when we attack but I do feel it is more than that. Quite simply the players raised their games as they did in the cup games last year and were determined to win individual battles all over the field.
Just like a few of the cup games last year, you were genuinely inspired by the Blades players tonight. They went the extra yard to win the tackles, make the loose balls and chase balls through. I could not fault any of the players. They did play some nice pieces of skill and created several chances due to this and this allied with incredible work ethic and organisation meant we looked a very good side tonight. Southampton looked clueless for long spells and even though you were automatically anxious as it is a cup quarter final; did they really look like scoring? Probably not.
Every department was good. Basham and McNulty for sheer effort stood out but all the players put a shift in and showed some good football too. They have set the bar high and I now hope like last season they can use this to kick start the league season. Tonight was not one thing. It was everything. Tactics, work rate, shape, organisation, desire, skill and football, United showed the lot tonight. It was a remarkable transformation from much of the malaise we have been through this season. Huge pat on the back to Clough and the side tonight. I just hope they can build on this now.
Nigel Clough opted to give a first start for over a year to Florent Cuvelier and went with McNulty as the lone striker with Louis Reed also given a start. Chris Basham returned to centre back and Ryan Flynn continued at right back.
Southampton were without the suspended Grazianno Pelle and rested Dusan Tadic but fielded a very strong line up otherwise with the influential Morgan Schneiderlin returning and many of their regular line up also appearing.
The Saints started the game well and moved it about nicely but Untied gradually got into the game and actually created the better early chances. From a free kick from the right that Campbell Ryce sent over; Forster spilt the cross and looked for a foul but as he dithered, McEveley hooked it over his head and onto the top of the bar.
Campell Ryce put in an inviting cross that was cleared at the near post before Cuvelier’s free kick was over after Fonte fouled him to lead to the award. Southampton showed a flurry of quality play that saw the ball transferred from left to right but Clyne was blocked out after a good run and then the ball was cleared.
The Saints best chance came from a Ward Prowse free kick which Howard and the defence struggled to get clear but the ball was eventually put out of the box after some pinball had ensued.
United were well in the game and were playing things at such a higher tempo than in previous games. The way they broke with pace when they could was pleasing to see for the home crowd who were warmed by the genuine desire to get forward along with determined defensive play. Clyne and Mane were booked after a series of fouls prior to this had gone unpunished as Oliver seemed to be losing control of the game for a spell.
More neat stuff from United saw them break but Cuvelier miskicked at the last before another decent move saw Reed fire over. Basham then showed lovely skill to break and got to the byline but his cross was sliced wide by Cuvelier.
Harris was booked for pulling back Long and then Mane shot wide when well found by Ward Prowse just before the break. United had been very good in the first half and were well in the game creating more chances and arguable looking the better side.
At the break Adams came on for his debut replacing Campbell Ryce who presumably went off with an injury.
The second half saw the Saints try and make a conscious effort to come out with more determination and they seemed to move each department higher up the pitch in an attempt to have more ball and create more chances.
Murphy hit a shot wide when well placed after good work from Harris down the left before Long had a shot blocked at the other end.
United had a great chance soon after as Murphy’s cross was headed goalwards by McEveley but Forster palmed away and then Adams could not convert the rebound. Cuvelier and Basham were booked for cynical pull backs and then United started to take control again with some quick breaks from midfield leading to chances. One such chance saw Murphy cross but after Adams had miscontrolled initially he recycled play for Doyle to hit a fierce shot that Forster palmed behind.
Then on the hour things came to life as Reed robbed Mane who pulled him back. It was debatable if was in or out of the box but it seemed like it should have been a yellow card at least but Oliver gave nothing.
From the free kick right on the edge of the box, Harris hit a ferocious free kick that rocked Forster back as he saved and the ball spiralled across the line. It looked like it may just cross the line but MCNULTY made sure smashing it home. Cue jubilant scenes in front of the Kop.
As the celebrations continued Chris Morgan was sent to the stands allegedly for something he said to the fourth official. Ronald Koeman also came across and had words as the game was becoming increasingly fractious not helped by a poor refereeing performance.
Southampton came with a period of possession and won two quick corner but United through Basham in particular were remaining resolute. A chance came when neat football saw Mane played in but his low shot was well saved from Howard with his feet.
United broke again and McNulty was in on goal but his shot was well saved by Forster. The same man combined with Murphy and another save was made.
On came Baxter and Wallace for Cuvelier and Reed and United fans waited for the potential late onslaught but it never seemed to come and the home side if anything looked more likely to score again. More rapid football saw United break and Murphy was in but his effort was saved and McNulty had his follow up blocked by a defender. Howard took a big catch from a corner as the clock entered stoppage time (four minutes) before McNulty’s tireless showing saw him get away from Gardos who clumsily hauled him down. The red card was inevitable as he was the last man. Baxter blazed over but soon after Fonte was the next to haul McNulty down and it saw another yellow card for a disappointingly cynical Saints side.
United saw out the remaining time and the players could celebrate in a well-deserved huddle in front of the Kop as the crowd stood and saluted very player to a man as they left the rain soaked night. It was another great cup win and a superb performance and victory for the Blades.
United – Well what can I say? I have criticised the side over a lot of this season for slow, lifeless and spineless play. They have lacked drive, aggression, tempo and the ability to dig in; let alone only flurries of skill/decent football against some very poor sides at League One Level. Tonight they were brilliant. To a man. They fought hard, played with their hearts but also their heads. They played at a high tempo and attacked well when they could and defended so resolutely. They put bodies in the line but were not just clinging on as at times they broke well and played some lovely football. It was like some of the cup games last season as they were able to get bodies forward and at pace and although kept a good shape still committed bodies forward when they could and because of this created lots of chances. Over the game we had many more chances than them even if the stats may suggest they had more of the ball; I am not sure what they did with it? Sure at times we had to sit in and clear/head away and make blocks but they did not exactly pepper our goal and Howard although played well only had a couple of saves to make all game. Forster was the much busier.
It is frustrating that we can go from such a slow and tepid showing at Fleetwood to that. Course it being a cup semi helps and being underdogs seems to suit us but we really have set the bar tonight and the players have proved they are good enough (certainly at League One level). Maybe as teams like Southampton come onto us and we have one v one when we attack but I do feel it is more than that. Quite simply the players raised their games as they did in the cup games last year and were determined to win individual battles all over the field.
Just like a few of the cup games last year, you were genuinely inspired by the Blades players tonight. They went the extra yard to win the tackles, make the loose balls and chase balls through. I could not fault any of the players. They did play some nice pieces of skill and created several chances due to this and this allied with incredible work ethic and organisation meant we looked a very good side tonight. Southampton looked clueless for long spells and even though you were automatically anxious as it is a cup quarter final; did they really look like scoring? Probably not.
Every department was good. Basham and McNulty for sheer effort stood out but all the players put a shift in and showed some good football too. They have set the bar high and I now hope like last season they can use this to kick start the league season. Tonight was not one thing. It was everything. Tactics, work rate, shape, organisation, desire, skill and football, United showed the lot tonight. It was a remarkable transformation from much of the malaise we have been through this season. Huge pat on the back to Clough and the side tonight. I just hope they can build on this now.
