Deadbat
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Did not go. Of course, I did not. First one I missed from London and they win! Still moving house and lots to sort so had to miss one! Watched on a very erratic stream but saw enough to put something together!
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The Blades got back to winning way and finally won a game in London at this level for the first time in 28 years as they beat Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. United were far from their best in this one but another superb defensive performance from the Blades ensured that a calamitous own goal from Vicente Guaita was enough for another huge three points. United move onto 36 points and with many of the rest of the results, the Blades can surely now feel they have done enough to stay in the division and start looking at other targets such as a top half finish or even a Europa League place.
United threw Sander Berge straight in for his United debut as there was no place for Mo Besic who was not in the matchday squad. It was the same team as the previous league game against Manchester City. Palace started with Zaha, Benteke and Ayew up the top of the field. Skipper Milivojevic was back in the side and former Blade loanee Gary Cahill started in defence. Andre Townsend was fit enough to take his place on the bench.
The game began in extremely windy conditions and there was little quality on display early on. Debutant Berge was neat and tidy and nearly got on the end of McBurnie’s header with the first half chance of the game going to United. Palace started to get on the ball more and force United back who were defending deep, perhaps concerned about the pace down the sides. Palace won two corner and Benteke then nearly got in from open play but Egan made a good block.
Baldock went in the book for a late tackle on the dangerous Zaha and the subsequent free was half cleared before Milivojevic fired well over in the first effort towards goal. Tompkins was then booked for a late foul as Fleck got to the ball just before him. Benteke then pulled a shot wide as Palace were now looking the more comfortable in possession. United had been sloppy with it and a bit cautious off the ball, standing off and allowing Palace to have it. Despite this, the home side had not created much at all and were relying on the outlet of Zaha to try and forge an opening.
McArthur had the first effort on goal, saved comfortably by Henderson before Palace had another spell of play and United were struggling to get a foothold in the game. The one positive is Palace had created little too. Baldock caught Zaha and must have been concerned but like the Wolves away game, he got away with it. It could have been another yellow even though once again Zaha threw himself to the floor. The free kick was palmed away by Henderson for another corner and the home side won three straight corners as United were just content to stay in the game at this stage. A couple of dangerous crossfield balls from Zaha just evaded Ayew and then Benteke as United breathed a sigh of relief.
Cahill headed off target and then van Aanholt fired well over the bar. United continued to very conservative. Berge had been neat and tidy and the centre backs had been solid but we had seen little from United as an attacking force as the half time whistle went.
The second half saw Fleck have an effort blocked as the game started to open up more. United gave it away sloppily and Palace broke but Benteke could not get power on his shot as he came inside after another slalom run from Zaha. Henderson made the comfortable save in the end.
United were at least showing more as an attacking force and Sharp won the corner from a shot on the angle blocked by Cahill.
Out of nothing the Blades took the lead from this set play. Norwood swung over the in-swinging corner and as Sharp shaped to challenge GUAITA caught the ball but inexplicably dropped it over the line by at least 2 or 3 yards. The check on goal line technology was probably not even needed but confirmed the goal. A few Palace players tried to ask for a foul but Sharp had barely even touched him. It was a howler and United had the lead, even if it was underserved.
After the goal United found a new confidence and started to move it about better, keeping the ball for longer periods. Baldock had struggled defensively but his tenacious play saw him commit two defenders and win the foul. Norwood took it after deliberation with him, Fleck and Berge. Guaita had to make the diving save to tip over to prevent the Blades doubling their lead.
Palace had their best chance of the game when clever play by Zaha saw him come inside and his pass saw McArthur fire a powerful drive but Henderson was able to push away. It was a good save but was relatively close to the Blades keeper.
Basham went down under a clash of heads and had to come back on after treatment wearing what could only be described as black gaffer tape around his bonce in an attempt to stem the blood. His first involvement after the bad cut was to head it away twice. Of course. Typical commitment from Basham.
Mousset came on for Sharp and almost had an immediate impact as McBurnie cleverly played him in and his shot was saved by Guaita. Milivojevic was the latest to get a card as he hauled down McBurnie before Lundstram came on for Berge who got a lusty hand from the Blades following in the Arthur Wait stand, who recognised a promising debut. Fleck then tried his hand at stopping Zaha, to no avail and he was rightly given a yellow card.
The Palace winger then went down feigning a head injury after another foul. His antics were pathetic at times. A great player but someone who does all he can to gain an advantage at times and sometimes this detracts from what he does so well. Palace had begun to get frustrated but had a few chances as van Aanholt had a shot blocked before the home side had a great chance to level. McArthur’s cross was a good one and evaded everyone but Lundstram maybe did enough to just put Tompkins off who headed wide. He really needed to at least hit the target.
On 72 minutes, there was a moment of controversy as Ward caught Stevens quite late and referee Andy Madley brandished an immediate red card. It seemed harsh at the time but maybe the Palace defender had shown his studs or gone over the ball. Replays showed it was not really a red card and after Madley wisely looked at the monitor it was downgraded to a yellow card. VAR has been incredibly frustrating to say the least this season, but here it was used well to get the right decision even if it did not go for United. We of course had a similar decision get reversed for Basham at Norwich.
Lundstram blazed over when he maybe had a bit more time before Palace made another change with Townsend coming on for Benteke. Meyer then came on for McCarthy as the game entered the final 10 minutes. United had been much better on and off the ball since the goal and Stevens almost made the game safe after a one two with Mousset saw him in but his shot with the outside of his foot was pushed away by Guaita. Baldock could not quite force a chance on the rebound.
McBurnie then had a headed effort blocked although a foul was given in the build-up. United actually had created the better chances in the final spell of the game and Egan hooked off target after another dangerous Norwood corner fell to him. Kouyate replaced McArthur with the home side’s final change as the game ticked past the 85th minute mark. Mousset and Stevens had more chances for United to seal it as they had men over and United’s game management had been very good as the match entered stoppage time. There were six minutes to be played which was about right after the Basham stoppage. Palace won a corner but United once again cleared the ball with the three centre backs absolutely imperious once again. The second corner fell to Zaha but Norwood and then Egan made key blocks as Palace began to run out of ideas. A final corner was cleared and after Osborn came on, Norwood rolled the ball into the corner and out to waste more valuable time.
Palace launched it forward once more but Stevens hooked clear and a final clearance from Norwood saw the final whistle go and another huge three points for the Blades. United went to their fans with the new Norwegian signing Berge getting a rendition of his new chant, to the tune of ‘She’s Electric!’ by Oasis. The debutant clearly was touched by it and gave a heart sign to the delighted Blades following!
United – Far from our best for an hour. In fact, we were poor. We never kept it, never looked dangerous and sat back. We invited pressure but fortunately Palace looked a bit clueless and other than Zaha, they never looked like opening us up. We sat back and was very cautious. I felt we let them have it which was odd as they are a team that does not tend to have possession, even at home. Maybe this was the plan. We did sit back and maybe were worried about the pace. The main concern was losing Baldock who got booked early and they went to Zaha continually and Baldock maybe got a touch lucky after another foul although was his first after the yellow and not exactly reckless but he caught him. If he had not been booked, then maybe it would have been a yellow and often you have to do more to get your second. We never really looked like scoring although Berge with little of the ball looked neat and tidy and very comfortable on the ball. We saw little of it up front and it kept coming back. I felt the 50-50’s they won although it was such a slow game with few tackles either way. United did not enforce Palace to turn it over much and when we did have it, we gave it away a bit cheaply. I was glad to get to half time 0-0, even if they had not had a real clear chance either.
Second half was more even and opened up more. We started to try and get on the ball more and maybe played a little higher up but this saw them have more chances too. Benteke had a decent one and then we had a few breaks too. We started to at least be in the contest more and get the wing backs higher up. We scored a fortuitous goal I suppose but it was an error and the keeper made an absolute mess of it. After this we suddenly looked much better. Mousset and Lundstram both did really well – Berge was right to come off as he had done well but we needed some fresh legs and maybe protection for Baldock with Zaha and Ayew the main threats. Henderson made one smart save and then Tompkins missed a big chance. After this not sure they threatened and the last 15-20 minutes we looked more like scoring again on the break. Mousset could have had a second and Stevens then had a chance. We had a few set play efforts from McBurnie and Egan. Of course, they won a series of corners but loved the way we had no issues putting a few out as we knew from the set plays, the trust in our defenders to head clear was implicit. They huffed and puffed but did not really look like scoring even with six extra minutes.
It is a huge win. Like West Ham (maybe even more so) far from our best. Our forward players never got going and the midfield on and off the ball were very average – as I say Berge maybe have been the best and he has not even really learnt how we play yet. Stevens and Baldock were poor first half but both improved, particularly Enda who was excellent after the break. The three centre backs were supreme again and Henderson made two key saves. Both expected but he had to make them. Thought Lundstram showed he had a point to prove and Mousset showed his pace and trickery and we looked more of a threat up the top of the field.
With our defence we always have a chance. Even if we are off our game in terms of not being as snappy in our pressing and harrying and maybe not as adventurous or forceful with it, we always know we can sniff a goal and then hold it. We have such a desire to protect what we have and the will to win is immense. The last 15 minutes after the Tompkins chance, I felt we saw it out in comfort and they just ran out of ideas completely. They had a lot of the ball but not sure they did much with it. They may feel aggrieved to lose but not sure they did enough to win the game either. With the other results today (lots of draws) you start thinking we are almost there in terms of safety. One win and that is about it and of course then start to look at where we can go. We now have three home games in a row and a few that are eminently winnable. What makes me feel good is that we have not played well or put in a complete performance since maybe Brighton away (City away did brilliantly first half) so hoping for a couple of really committed, forceful performances where we can really grind the likes of Bournemouth, Brighton and Norwich into the dust and completely accelerate away from them.
Berge did ok. He glides away from people and good on the ball and is absolutely massive. A few times he got caught or did not realise he was being pressed and not sure he is used to playing wide right but it was a promising debut. Be interesting to see if one or two of the other new lads are seen on the bench next week. With McGoldrick still injured we certainly looked light for attacking alternatives on the bench.
Overall though, what a week it has been. Progress in the cup, some superb transfer business hopefully including what could be a real coup in Berge and a gritty, workmanlike win at Palace. You don’t think things can get any better and then something else happens. We need a packed Lane next week and even though a Sunday early kick off and Bournemouth might not invoke such noise, I really want every Blades fans to give it everything. United have two weeks off after this and win next week would be huge. We really need to give these lads the noise and backing they deserve for the next three games. Let’s make the Lane rocking.
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The Blades got back to winning way and finally won a game in London at this level for the first time in 28 years as they beat Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. United were far from their best in this one but another superb defensive performance from the Blades ensured that a calamitous own goal from Vicente Guaita was enough for another huge three points. United move onto 36 points and with many of the rest of the results, the Blades can surely now feel they have done enough to stay in the division and start looking at other targets such as a top half finish or even a Europa League place.
United threw Sander Berge straight in for his United debut as there was no place for Mo Besic who was not in the matchday squad. It was the same team as the previous league game against Manchester City. Palace started with Zaha, Benteke and Ayew up the top of the field. Skipper Milivojevic was back in the side and former Blade loanee Gary Cahill started in defence. Andre Townsend was fit enough to take his place on the bench.
The game began in extremely windy conditions and there was little quality on display early on. Debutant Berge was neat and tidy and nearly got on the end of McBurnie’s header with the first half chance of the game going to United. Palace started to get on the ball more and force United back who were defending deep, perhaps concerned about the pace down the sides. Palace won two corner and Benteke then nearly got in from open play but Egan made a good block.
Baldock went in the book for a late tackle on the dangerous Zaha and the subsequent free was half cleared before Milivojevic fired well over in the first effort towards goal. Tompkins was then booked for a late foul as Fleck got to the ball just before him. Benteke then pulled a shot wide as Palace were now looking the more comfortable in possession. United had been sloppy with it and a bit cautious off the ball, standing off and allowing Palace to have it. Despite this, the home side had not created much at all and were relying on the outlet of Zaha to try and forge an opening.
McArthur had the first effort on goal, saved comfortably by Henderson before Palace had another spell of play and United were struggling to get a foothold in the game. The one positive is Palace had created little too. Baldock caught Zaha and must have been concerned but like the Wolves away game, he got away with it. It could have been another yellow even though once again Zaha threw himself to the floor. The free kick was palmed away by Henderson for another corner and the home side won three straight corners as United were just content to stay in the game at this stage. A couple of dangerous crossfield balls from Zaha just evaded Ayew and then Benteke as United breathed a sigh of relief.
Cahill headed off target and then van Aanholt fired well over the bar. United continued to very conservative. Berge had been neat and tidy and the centre backs had been solid but we had seen little from United as an attacking force as the half time whistle went.
The second half saw Fleck have an effort blocked as the game started to open up more. United gave it away sloppily and Palace broke but Benteke could not get power on his shot as he came inside after another slalom run from Zaha. Henderson made the comfortable save in the end.
United were at least showing more as an attacking force and Sharp won the corner from a shot on the angle blocked by Cahill.
Out of nothing the Blades took the lead from this set play. Norwood swung over the in-swinging corner and as Sharp shaped to challenge GUAITA caught the ball but inexplicably dropped it over the line by at least 2 or 3 yards. The check on goal line technology was probably not even needed but confirmed the goal. A few Palace players tried to ask for a foul but Sharp had barely even touched him. It was a howler and United had the lead, even if it was underserved.
After the goal United found a new confidence and started to move it about better, keeping the ball for longer periods. Baldock had struggled defensively but his tenacious play saw him commit two defenders and win the foul. Norwood took it after deliberation with him, Fleck and Berge. Guaita had to make the diving save to tip over to prevent the Blades doubling their lead.
Palace had their best chance of the game when clever play by Zaha saw him come inside and his pass saw McArthur fire a powerful drive but Henderson was able to push away. It was a good save but was relatively close to the Blades keeper.
Basham went down under a clash of heads and had to come back on after treatment wearing what could only be described as black gaffer tape around his bonce in an attempt to stem the blood. His first involvement after the bad cut was to head it away twice. Of course. Typical commitment from Basham.
Mousset came on for Sharp and almost had an immediate impact as McBurnie cleverly played him in and his shot was saved by Guaita. Milivojevic was the latest to get a card as he hauled down McBurnie before Lundstram came on for Berge who got a lusty hand from the Blades following in the Arthur Wait stand, who recognised a promising debut. Fleck then tried his hand at stopping Zaha, to no avail and he was rightly given a yellow card.
The Palace winger then went down feigning a head injury after another foul. His antics were pathetic at times. A great player but someone who does all he can to gain an advantage at times and sometimes this detracts from what he does so well. Palace had begun to get frustrated but had a few chances as van Aanholt had a shot blocked before the home side had a great chance to level. McArthur’s cross was a good one and evaded everyone but Lundstram maybe did enough to just put Tompkins off who headed wide. He really needed to at least hit the target.
On 72 minutes, there was a moment of controversy as Ward caught Stevens quite late and referee Andy Madley brandished an immediate red card. It seemed harsh at the time but maybe the Palace defender had shown his studs or gone over the ball. Replays showed it was not really a red card and after Madley wisely looked at the monitor it was downgraded to a yellow card. VAR has been incredibly frustrating to say the least this season, but here it was used well to get the right decision even if it did not go for United. We of course had a similar decision get reversed for Basham at Norwich.
Lundstram blazed over when he maybe had a bit more time before Palace made another change with Townsend coming on for Benteke. Meyer then came on for McCarthy as the game entered the final 10 minutes. United had been much better on and off the ball since the goal and Stevens almost made the game safe after a one two with Mousset saw him in but his shot with the outside of his foot was pushed away by Guaita. Baldock could not quite force a chance on the rebound.
McBurnie then had a headed effort blocked although a foul was given in the build-up. United actually had created the better chances in the final spell of the game and Egan hooked off target after another dangerous Norwood corner fell to him. Kouyate replaced McArthur with the home side’s final change as the game ticked past the 85th minute mark. Mousset and Stevens had more chances for United to seal it as they had men over and United’s game management had been very good as the match entered stoppage time. There were six minutes to be played which was about right after the Basham stoppage. Palace won a corner but United once again cleared the ball with the three centre backs absolutely imperious once again. The second corner fell to Zaha but Norwood and then Egan made key blocks as Palace began to run out of ideas. A final corner was cleared and after Osborn came on, Norwood rolled the ball into the corner and out to waste more valuable time.
Palace launched it forward once more but Stevens hooked clear and a final clearance from Norwood saw the final whistle go and another huge three points for the Blades. United went to their fans with the new Norwegian signing Berge getting a rendition of his new chant, to the tune of ‘She’s Electric!’ by Oasis. The debutant clearly was touched by it and gave a heart sign to the delighted Blades following!
United – Far from our best for an hour. In fact, we were poor. We never kept it, never looked dangerous and sat back. We invited pressure but fortunately Palace looked a bit clueless and other than Zaha, they never looked like opening us up. We sat back and was very cautious. I felt we let them have it which was odd as they are a team that does not tend to have possession, even at home. Maybe this was the plan. We did sit back and maybe were worried about the pace. The main concern was losing Baldock who got booked early and they went to Zaha continually and Baldock maybe got a touch lucky after another foul although was his first after the yellow and not exactly reckless but he caught him. If he had not been booked, then maybe it would have been a yellow and often you have to do more to get your second. We never really looked like scoring although Berge with little of the ball looked neat and tidy and very comfortable on the ball. We saw little of it up front and it kept coming back. I felt the 50-50’s they won although it was such a slow game with few tackles either way. United did not enforce Palace to turn it over much and when we did have it, we gave it away a bit cheaply. I was glad to get to half time 0-0, even if they had not had a real clear chance either.
Second half was more even and opened up more. We started to try and get on the ball more and maybe played a little higher up but this saw them have more chances too. Benteke had a decent one and then we had a few breaks too. We started to at least be in the contest more and get the wing backs higher up. We scored a fortuitous goal I suppose but it was an error and the keeper made an absolute mess of it. After this we suddenly looked much better. Mousset and Lundstram both did really well – Berge was right to come off as he had done well but we needed some fresh legs and maybe protection for Baldock with Zaha and Ayew the main threats. Henderson made one smart save and then Tompkins missed a big chance. After this not sure they threatened and the last 15-20 minutes we looked more like scoring again on the break. Mousset could have had a second and Stevens then had a chance. We had a few set play efforts from McBurnie and Egan. Of course, they won a series of corners but loved the way we had no issues putting a few out as we knew from the set plays, the trust in our defenders to head clear was implicit. They huffed and puffed but did not really look like scoring even with six extra minutes.
It is a huge win. Like West Ham (maybe even more so) far from our best. Our forward players never got going and the midfield on and off the ball were very average – as I say Berge maybe have been the best and he has not even really learnt how we play yet. Stevens and Baldock were poor first half but both improved, particularly Enda who was excellent after the break. The three centre backs were supreme again and Henderson made two key saves. Both expected but he had to make them. Thought Lundstram showed he had a point to prove and Mousset showed his pace and trickery and we looked more of a threat up the top of the field.
With our defence we always have a chance. Even if we are off our game in terms of not being as snappy in our pressing and harrying and maybe not as adventurous or forceful with it, we always know we can sniff a goal and then hold it. We have such a desire to protect what we have and the will to win is immense. The last 15 minutes after the Tompkins chance, I felt we saw it out in comfort and they just ran out of ideas completely. They had a lot of the ball but not sure they did much with it. They may feel aggrieved to lose but not sure they did enough to win the game either. With the other results today (lots of draws) you start thinking we are almost there in terms of safety. One win and that is about it and of course then start to look at where we can go. We now have three home games in a row and a few that are eminently winnable. What makes me feel good is that we have not played well or put in a complete performance since maybe Brighton away (City away did brilliantly first half) so hoping for a couple of really committed, forceful performances where we can really grind the likes of Bournemouth, Brighton and Norwich into the dust and completely accelerate away from them.
Berge did ok. He glides away from people and good on the ball and is absolutely massive. A few times he got caught or did not realise he was being pressed and not sure he is used to playing wide right but it was a promising debut. Be interesting to see if one or two of the other new lads are seen on the bench next week. With McGoldrick still injured we certainly looked light for attacking alternatives on the bench.
Overall though, what a week it has been. Progress in the cup, some superb transfer business hopefully including what could be a real coup in Berge and a gritty, workmanlike win at Palace. You don’t think things can get any better and then something else happens. We need a packed Lane next week and even though a Sunday early kick off and Bournemouth might not invoke such noise, I really want every Blades fans to give it everything. United have two weeks off after this and win next week would be huge. We really need to give these lads the noise and backing they deserve for the next three games. Let’s make the Lane rocking.