Deadbat
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Sheffield United’s cup adventure continues after a hard fought draw against Premier League opponents Fulham at a wet and miserable Bramall Lane. The Blades led after Chris Porter’s opportunistic finish after Harry Maguire’s run but Maguire had to go off injured and then a stupid kick out from skipper Michael Doyle saw the Blades down to ten men. United defended resolutely but a strike from Hugo Rodallegla finally saw the Cottagers level and after this the home side were hanging on as they threw bodies in front of the ball to earn a replay. Both teams had genuine appeals for a spot kick in either half in an action packed game that went ahead despite dreadful weather conditions with the rain continuing unabated pre and throughout the contest.
Referee Mariner had taken several looks at the pitch but deemed it playable. Fulham made eleven changes with one eye on a league game in 48 hours whilst the home side brought in Brayford for his debut for the departing right back McMahon, Coady in for McGinn and Porter for the cup tied Paytner. The two other newcomers Scougall and Harris were on the bench alongside the returning youngster De Girolamo.
The rain continued to come down as the game began mired in midfield in the early stages. Murphy’s early run won a free kick that was cleared away before Long had to keep out David who cut in on the angle at the other end. Rodallegla then headed over as Fulham looked to take control. Their cause was not helped when Riise had to limp off to be replaced by Plumain. Baxter had a free kick that curled just wide after United had won a free kick in a dangerous position. Fulham were enjoying more of the ball and indecision by Collins and Hill saw a chance for Kasami but the mud came to United’s rescue.
The weather started to improve with the lashing rain starting to ease and the sun even started to peer through the clouds. It was this moment when United were able to take the lead.
Maguire advanced and seeing no one closing him down he carried on and advanced past a few half hearted challenges before driving in a cross that PORTER managed to turn into the goal. The striker had done well to get ahead of the defenders and to stay onside.
Fulham hit back and had an opportunity and an appeal for a penalty as Rodallegla got in and appeared to be clipped by Long but Mariner waved play on and the ball eventually was cleared away. Maguire took a knock and had to receive treatment as the final moments of the half took place.
The goalscorer did not return after the break as an injury meant he could not continue and newcomer Scougall was introduced for his debut. Maguire resumed but he was not comfortable and had to go off replaced by Harris with Hill moving inside. Kasami shot wide and then Duff’s cross was blocked by Collins as United had to defend in numbers. Still for the domination the home side were keeping the ball well when they had it and Baxter showed some neat touches with Flynn and Murphy running at defenders when they could.
Baxter shot at the keeper but disaster struck soon after when Doyle kicked out at David off the ball after an earlier clash and Mariner saw it and gave Doyle a straight red card. There was no appeal and it was a moment of madness from the captain.
Scougall had got on the ball when he could and looked good running at defenders and showing excellent close control and dribbling. He had one run where he went past a number of players before he was crowded out.
Fulham put on Bent and then Kasami went down looking for another penalty but this was rightly waved away. However a superb run and break from Flynn saw him drive past two defenders and then have his leg taken away. It seemed a regulation penalty but Mariner waved play away with perhaps his thought of ignoring a strong first half shout at the forefront of his mind.
Karagounis had a free kick blocked and then he was involved as Fulham finally got level. Duff was the initiator and the ball was moved across the box. RODALLEGLA took a touch and steadied himself and drilled an excellent low shot into the right hand corner of Long’s goal.
Still despite this blow Murphy still looked a threat and he ran at his man again leading to a spell of respite for the home side that now had to scrap with ten men. The visitors had a golden chance to score the winner when from a cross from the right, Senderos header looped onto the bar and then the rebound was blocked amidst a sea of bodies. Next up the ball ricocheted across the box and Kasami was able to head across to the unmarked Bent who seemed certain to score but screwed wide with the goal at his mercy.
McGinn came on for Baxter as United continued their back to the walls effort as they had to face two successive corners and Senderos playing as another attacker. The final chance came to Taarabt but his shot took a slight deflection and went just past the post. United ended the game on the attack but Murphy did not see Flynn’s run and the chance went just before the final whistle.
United – It was plucky performance where we got men behind the ball, defended with bodies and cleared it, blocked it and did all we can to stop them scoring. However we played some really good football and got the wingers, creative players on the ball and had some good runs/attacks.
You could not fault them for how good some of the football we played more so in the second half as we attacked defenders, committing men the other way and played some good stuff. We played well for much of the game but I still was a bit disappointed with some elements (up to the red card oddly enough).
Thought we were wasteful on the ball in the first half and sat off too much. They could have had a few goals thanks to some sloppy defending and the goal was against the run of the play. Still one up and having kept them out you sensed we had a real chance.
The second half we needed to keep it tight and not do anything daft and then our captain does something stupid. Ironically in the second half we actually got better with 10 men and started playing with more freedom and actually having a go at the defenders and getting them running the other way.
Second half we were maybe better than the first half and Murphy, Flynn and the new lad Scougall were excellent. They had chances but we did some good stuff the other way and had some moments of our own. We could have had a second and then should have had a pen (so should they first half probably).
On the whole it was a battling, committed performance and we showed some good stuff going forward when we had it. We defended in numbers and had a bit of luck today but then could have had a penalty too. We showed desire, kept it well when we could and nearly hung on for a win. The new players looked good and overall it was a positive display. I felt that most of the players did everything they could. The negatives is losing three players due to different reasons throughout the game. We now have a heavy legged and potentially depleted squad to come for games coming up and with further fixtures to squeeze in; it is going to be a real struggle over the coming weeks. We just need to eek out a few wins and somehow get away from the mess we are in but it is not going to be easy.
Referee Mariner had taken several looks at the pitch but deemed it playable. Fulham made eleven changes with one eye on a league game in 48 hours whilst the home side brought in Brayford for his debut for the departing right back McMahon, Coady in for McGinn and Porter for the cup tied Paytner. The two other newcomers Scougall and Harris were on the bench alongside the returning youngster De Girolamo.
The rain continued to come down as the game began mired in midfield in the early stages. Murphy’s early run won a free kick that was cleared away before Long had to keep out David who cut in on the angle at the other end. Rodallegla then headed over as Fulham looked to take control. Their cause was not helped when Riise had to limp off to be replaced by Plumain. Baxter had a free kick that curled just wide after United had won a free kick in a dangerous position. Fulham were enjoying more of the ball and indecision by Collins and Hill saw a chance for Kasami but the mud came to United’s rescue.
The weather started to improve with the lashing rain starting to ease and the sun even started to peer through the clouds. It was this moment when United were able to take the lead.
Maguire advanced and seeing no one closing him down he carried on and advanced past a few half hearted challenges before driving in a cross that PORTER managed to turn into the goal. The striker had done well to get ahead of the defenders and to stay onside.
Fulham hit back and had an opportunity and an appeal for a penalty as Rodallegla got in and appeared to be clipped by Long but Mariner waved play on and the ball eventually was cleared away. Maguire took a knock and had to receive treatment as the final moments of the half took place.
The goalscorer did not return after the break as an injury meant he could not continue and newcomer Scougall was introduced for his debut. Maguire resumed but he was not comfortable and had to go off replaced by Harris with Hill moving inside. Kasami shot wide and then Duff’s cross was blocked by Collins as United had to defend in numbers. Still for the domination the home side were keeping the ball well when they had it and Baxter showed some neat touches with Flynn and Murphy running at defenders when they could.
Baxter shot at the keeper but disaster struck soon after when Doyle kicked out at David off the ball after an earlier clash and Mariner saw it and gave Doyle a straight red card. There was no appeal and it was a moment of madness from the captain.
Scougall had got on the ball when he could and looked good running at defenders and showing excellent close control and dribbling. He had one run where he went past a number of players before he was crowded out.
Fulham put on Bent and then Kasami went down looking for another penalty but this was rightly waved away. However a superb run and break from Flynn saw him drive past two defenders and then have his leg taken away. It seemed a regulation penalty but Mariner waved play away with perhaps his thought of ignoring a strong first half shout at the forefront of his mind.
Karagounis had a free kick blocked and then he was involved as Fulham finally got level. Duff was the initiator and the ball was moved across the box. RODALLEGLA took a touch and steadied himself and drilled an excellent low shot into the right hand corner of Long’s goal.
Still despite this blow Murphy still looked a threat and he ran at his man again leading to a spell of respite for the home side that now had to scrap with ten men. The visitors had a golden chance to score the winner when from a cross from the right, Senderos header looped onto the bar and then the rebound was blocked amidst a sea of bodies. Next up the ball ricocheted across the box and Kasami was able to head across to the unmarked Bent who seemed certain to score but screwed wide with the goal at his mercy.
McGinn came on for Baxter as United continued their back to the walls effort as they had to face two successive corners and Senderos playing as another attacker. The final chance came to Taarabt but his shot took a slight deflection and went just past the post. United ended the game on the attack but Murphy did not see Flynn’s run and the chance went just before the final whistle.
United – It was plucky performance where we got men behind the ball, defended with bodies and cleared it, blocked it and did all we can to stop them scoring. However we played some really good football and got the wingers, creative players on the ball and had some good runs/attacks.
You could not fault them for how good some of the football we played more so in the second half as we attacked defenders, committing men the other way and played some good stuff. We played well for much of the game but I still was a bit disappointed with some elements (up to the red card oddly enough).
Thought we were wasteful on the ball in the first half and sat off too much. They could have had a few goals thanks to some sloppy defending and the goal was against the run of the play. Still one up and having kept them out you sensed we had a real chance.
The second half we needed to keep it tight and not do anything daft and then our captain does something stupid. Ironically in the second half we actually got better with 10 men and started playing with more freedom and actually having a go at the defenders and getting them running the other way.
Second half we were maybe better than the first half and Murphy, Flynn and the new lad Scougall were excellent. They had chances but we did some good stuff the other way and had some moments of our own. We could have had a second and then should have had a pen (so should they first half probably).
On the whole it was a battling, committed performance and we showed some good stuff going forward when we had it. We defended in numbers and had a bit of luck today but then could have had a penalty too. We showed desire, kept it well when we could and nearly hung on for a win. The new players looked good and overall it was a positive display. I felt that most of the players did everything they could. The negatives is losing three players due to different reasons throughout the game. We now have a heavy legged and potentially depleted squad to come for games coming up and with further fixtures to squeeze in; it is going to be a real struggle over the coming weeks. We just need to eek out a few wins and somehow get away from the mess we are in but it is not going to be easy.
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