Deadbat
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Another bizarre and exciting afternoon at Bramall Lane – for the second consecutive Saturday. Once again it ended in honours even but this again did not do justice to another strange game that ebbed and flowed both ways. Both United and Norwich could make an argument they could have won it but the Blades will be the happier side, coming back from 0-2 down and seeing Norwich then miss a late penalty at 2-2. United again were a long way from the side we saw to start the season and look a long way from a side that is serious promotion contenders. A baffling team selection, defensive mistakes and a side that lacks fluidity and organisation on and off the ball, manager Heckingbottom is rightly having questions asked despite the Blades still being in a good position in the table. In the end some old-fashioned fight and intensity helped by the impressive substitute McBurnie saw United take something from a game that they looked out of after only a quarter of an hour.
The teams came in just after 2pm and most Blades fans would have been shocked to see Ndiaye dropped to the bench, along with McBurnie and Doyle. McAtee came in for Norrington Davies who seems set to face a long spell on the side-lines and Osborn started at left wing back. Buyabu was a surprise inclusion on the bench with the youngster impressing this season for the u21’s. Norwich had a number of familiar names as the two sides locked horns for the first time since the 19-20 Premier League season as both teams had been in different divisions for the last two seasons.
The game began in bright sunshine but it was a disastrous start for the home debutant goalkeeper after only three minutes. Egan’s back pass afforded Davies plenty of time to clear but he took way too long and PUKKI closed him down and charged his clearance into the empty net. United tried to respond but Osborn twice failed to get the ball over before Norwich broke again with Nunez out pacing Basham. The Blades were struggling to create and the visitors were winning the loose stuff and the ball over the top was causing issues for a hesitant backline. This was just the tactic they employed when they score their second on 16 minutes. It was a routine ball that Ahmedhodzic should have cleared but PUKKI outmuscled him and came out wit the ball before sliding the ball into the far corner. Davies again might have done better with the shot.
The crowd’s frustrations started to filter down to the pitch as more mistakes ensued with Basham and Egan struggling to cope with the running from deep that supported the impressive Pukki. United had a few moments but the Norwich centre halves were too strong for Brewster and Sharp. Indeed, Norwich could have sealed the game as Sargent was played in and Davies had to make the point blank save. Again, the ease in which United were cut through was worrying. McAtee had not been in the game and his wild finish over the bar summed up his lack of positive contribution. Norwich continued to look more dangerous and won two corners and another break which saw a shot go narrowly wide before United at least fashioned a chance with Osborn’s cross headed wide by Brewster. United finished the half with a better spell and Osborn and Norwood had efforts at Gunn which he saved before some fractious challenges saw Cantwell and Hayden booked.
It was no surprise when Ndiaye came on for McAtee. The only bigger shock was that more changes had not been made either before or at the break, especially with five substitutions now allowed. United at least tried to get Norwich defending and Ndiaye had two promising runs. United were at least showing some urgency and intensity but had not really worked Gunn yet in the second half despite forcing the Canaries back. Doyle came on for Fleck on the hour.
Hanley’s stupid kick out at Sharp was somehow not given leading to an understandable reaction from Sharp back to his opposition skipper. The referee started to lose control around this point but at least United found a way back into the game. The ball was played into the box and Sharp managed to hold it up from Baldock’s cross and help it on leading to OSBORN being able to clinically convert back into far post on the angle.
The crowd were now involved and Norwich’s poor tactics of feigning injury from little contact was helping stoke up the noise. Giannoulis’ pathetic attempt to get Sharp sent off did not help their cause in terms of getting the Blades players even more motivated. McBurnie came on for Brewster and was instantly involved, holding the ball up and chasing lost causes. He was causing problems although Norwich had an appeal for a penalty before Ndiaye went on his own slalom run before hitting the floor but again nothing was give.
On 72 minutes, the increasing pressure saw United level. Norwood’s cross was perfect for Egan to attack and his header across goal was right into the path of MCBURNIE who bundled it home via a pot – the ball may have bounced off him onto the post and back onto him before finding the net! United’s crowds were now fired up and with more Norwich players trying to influence the referee by trying to claim they were injured/fouled, the atmosphere was ramped up even more!
Sharp fired over after a good move and Baldock and Ahmedhodzic were well forward on the right with Osborn putting some good crosses in from the other side. Khadra came on for Sharp and went up top but the game was now more in the balance as Norwich had their own spell of attacks helped by their own subs Hernandez and Gibbs. The former ran through three challenges and set up Nunez who fired over before Sargent nearly got in. It looked like either side could win it and McBurnie and Ndiaye nearly combined soon after before McBurnie headed at Gunn after good work from Osborn. Baldock and Nunez clashed with the latter the latest trying to con the officials as he rolled around.
Disaster struck for the Blades though when at almost the same time and at the same end as last week, a penalty was given but this time against United. Ahmedhodzic’s wild tackle was right on the line and maybe just outside leading to the referee playing on but Gibbs then was baulked clumsily by Egan. The centre back may have toed the ball but he got a lot of the man too with his body and the decision although took a long time was the right one you sensed. After Sargent had the ball, it was given to Pukki to try and complete his hat trick and win the game but his effort was weak and Davies saved easily.
There were seven minutes of stoppage time and now United, after this let off, sensed they could maybe win it. They continued to probe and attack and from a move down the left Osborn’s cross was perfect for McBurnie who looked set to complete the turnaround but somehow hit the keepers’ legs when it seemed easier to score. Osborn took too long on the rebound when he had a chance to score also. Norwich ended up winning a corner at the other end as the topsy turvy game continued to show no let up. The game finally came to an end though with both sets of players and fans not knowing whether to go away content or disappointed in an enthralling contest that may not have been the best in terms of skill but had drama throughout.
The teams came in just after 2pm and most Blades fans would have been shocked to see Ndiaye dropped to the bench, along with McBurnie and Doyle. McAtee came in for Norrington Davies who seems set to face a long spell on the side-lines and Osborn started at left wing back. Buyabu was a surprise inclusion on the bench with the youngster impressing this season for the u21’s. Norwich had a number of familiar names as the two sides locked horns for the first time since the 19-20 Premier League season as both teams had been in different divisions for the last two seasons.
The game began in bright sunshine but it was a disastrous start for the home debutant goalkeeper after only three minutes. Egan’s back pass afforded Davies plenty of time to clear but he took way too long and PUKKI closed him down and charged his clearance into the empty net. United tried to respond but Osborn twice failed to get the ball over before Norwich broke again with Nunez out pacing Basham. The Blades were struggling to create and the visitors were winning the loose stuff and the ball over the top was causing issues for a hesitant backline. This was just the tactic they employed when they score their second on 16 minutes. It was a routine ball that Ahmedhodzic should have cleared but PUKKI outmuscled him and came out wit the ball before sliding the ball into the far corner. Davies again might have done better with the shot.
The crowd’s frustrations started to filter down to the pitch as more mistakes ensued with Basham and Egan struggling to cope with the running from deep that supported the impressive Pukki. United had a few moments but the Norwich centre halves were too strong for Brewster and Sharp. Indeed, Norwich could have sealed the game as Sargent was played in and Davies had to make the point blank save. Again, the ease in which United were cut through was worrying. McAtee had not been in the game and his wild finish over the bar summed up his lack of positive contribution. Norwich continued to look more dangerous and won two corners and another break which saw a shot go narrowly wide before United at least fashioned a chance with Osborn’s cross headed wide by Brewster. United finished the half with a better spell and Osborn and Norwood had efforts at Gunn which he saved before some fractious challenges saw Cantwell and Hayden booked.
It was no surprise when Ndiaye came on for McAtee. The only bigger shock was that more changes had not been made either before or at the break, especially with five substitutions now allowed. United at least tried to get Norwich defending and Ndiaye had two promising runs. United were at least showing some urgency and intensity but had not really worked Gunn yet in the second half despite forcing the Canaries back. Doyle came on for Fleck on the hour.
Hanley’s stupid kick out at Sharp was somehow not given leading to an understandable reaction from Sharp back to his opposition skipper. The referee started to lose control around this point but at least United found a way back into the game. The ball was played into the box and Sharp managed to hold it up from Baldock’s cross and help it on leading to OSBORN being able to clinically convert back into far post on the angle.
The crowd were now involved and Norwich’s poor tactics of feigning injury from little contact was helping stoke up the noise. Giannoulis’ pathetic attempt to get Sharp sent off did not help their cause in terms of getting the Blades players even more motivated. McBurnie came on for Brewster and was instantly involved, holding the ball up and chasing lost causes. He was causing problems although Norwich had an appeal for a penalty before Ndiaye went on his own slalom run before hitting the floor but again nothing was give.
On 72 minutes, the increasing pressure saw United level. Norwood’s cross was perfect for Egan to attack and his header across goal was right into the path of MCBURNIE who bundled it home via a pot – the ball may have bounced off him onto the post and back onto him before finding the net! United’s crowds were now fired up and with more Norwich players trying to influence the referee by trying to claim they were injured/fouled, the atmosphere was ramped up even more!
Sharp fired over after a good move and Baldock and Ahmedhodzic were well forward on the right with Osborn putting some good crosses in from the other side. Khadra came on for Sharp and went up top but the game was now more in the balance as Norwich had their own spell of attacks helped by their own subs Hernandez and Gibbs. The former ran through three challenges and set up Nunez who fired over before Sargent nearly got in. It looked like either side could win it and McBurnie and Ndiaye nearly combined soon after before McBurnie headed at Gunn after good work from Osborn. Baldock and Nunez clashed with the latter the latest trying to con the officials as he rolled around.
Disaster struck for the Blades though when at almost the same time and at the same end as last week, a penalty was given but this time against United. Ahmedhodzic’s wild tackle was right on the line and maybe just outside leading to the referee playing on but Gibbs then was baulked clumsily by Egan. The centre back may have toed the ball but he got a lot of the man too with his body and the decision although took a long time was the right one you sensed. After Sargent had the ball, it was given to Pukki to try and complete his hat trick and win the game but his effort was weak and Davies saved easily.
There were seven minutes of stoppage time and now United, after this let off, sensed they could maybe win it. They continued to probe and attack and from a move down the left Osborn’s cross was perfect for McBurnie who looked set to complete the turnaround but somehow hit the keepers’ legs when it seemed easier to score. Osborn took too long on the rebound when he had a chance to score also. Norwich ended up winning a corner at the other end as the topsy turvy game continued to show no let up. The game finally came to an end though with both sets of players and fans not knowing whether to go away content or disappointed in an enthralling contest that may not have been the best in terms of skill but had drama throughout.