Ade Akinbiyi has begun to justify his record breaking transfer signing after nodding past Lee Camp in the 12th minute at Pride Park to score the winner for the Blades. However the managerless relegation candidates, Derby, put up a fight and were gallantly denied an equalizer when Paddy Kenny saved from the spot late in the second half.
For Derby the past week has been wrought with turmoil, after loosing to League One high-flyers Colchester United 3-1 in the F.A Cup and with Manager Phil Brown sacked on Monday; Premiership hopefuls, Sheffield United, were perhaps the last team that they wanted to see visit Pride Park.
The game began at a fast tempo as United won two corners within the first five minutes with the backing of a vocal 4,600 United fans. Neither corner proved fruitful as the Derby rearguard held firm.
Lee Holmes then produced Derby?s first attack of the night with a deep cross, however the safe hands of Paddy Kenny were equal to it. It was then Tommy Smith who provided the service on the wing with a cross aimed for Barnes; however the Derby man failed to test Paddy Kenny. The Blades then struck on the counter and it took a foul from Spaniard Inigo Idiakez to stop the advancing Paul Ifill from creating something for United. Idiakez was booked for his troubles.
Derby then applied more pressure on the United goal in the 11th minute with a looping header from Bolder, followed up by a shot from former Sunderland man, Tommy Smith, moments later. However, just as Derby were beginning to fin their way to goal Sheffield United stamped their authority on the game, and proved just why they?re in such a fantastic league position.
Paul Ifill presented Akinbiyi with a peach of a cross to notch up his 13th league goal of the season, and his first for the Blades. Ade was in acres of space after loosing his marker, the colossal Darren Moore, and simply flicked the header home from a few yards out. The travelling United faithful were buzzing and the atmosphere inside Pride Park intensified.
Idiakez was the architect as Smith tested Kenny and then a typical Leigh Bromby long throw allowed Ifill to then blast a shot over at the other end in quick response. Derby then had a quick succession of efforts as Graham tested Kenny with a dangerous header and Adam Bolder followed up with a shot. The United stopper did well to keep both efforts out.
Kenny then made the save of the match as he tipped over a header from Johnson after a superb in swinging cross from Danny Graham. The shot looked certain to defy the United keeper but he skilfully changed his footing and tipped just over the bar.
United began the second half with a Paul Ifill effort, Shipperley did well to lay-off the ball for the former Millwall man to get his shot off with his left boot however, it whistled just wide of the upright.
It was in the 56th minute that tempers really flared when Johnson made a dangerous challenge on Ifill right next to the technical areas. The home supporters were incensed and it has been revealed that Derby County are set to appeal the ban before the F.A as soon as possible. Neil Warnock was livid with Johnson?s recklessness and the controversial Blades Boss sparked furore in the dugout.
The temporary Derby management team, which includes old Lane favourite, Paul Peschisolido, made quick tactical changes- bringing Jackson on and then quickly followed by the pocket rocket himself.
Shipperley was again instrumental in a United effort as he selflessly laid the ball off inside the area for substitute Keith Gillespie; unfortunately, the Northern Irish International?s shot struck the foot of the far post before rebounding off the ignorant Camp to go out for a United corner in front of the huge away following.
More controversy was sparked in the 76th minute as referee Williamson adjudged Armstrong to have handled in the United area after a low cross from Edworthy struck his arm. The Derby fans were bouncing, but the United faithful roared on the United stopper in his contest with Tommy Smith. Kenny dived down low to his right to make the crucial save and silence the Derby support.
In the first of 3 minutes of injury time Tommy Smith attempted to avenge his missed penalty with a low shot, however, it went spinning wide of the United goal. Tonge then attempted to polish off an impressive display in the dying embers of the game after referee Williamson laid the ball off brilliantly inside the Derby area! But a modest Michael Tonge spared the referee?s blushes as he failed to score. But substitute Steven Kabba was livid with Tonge for not laying him off with the shot.
Sheffield United dug in to hold all three points in freezing conditions. Derby fought well, and perhaps deserved something out of the game, however United proved why they?re Premiership bound by showing solid tact and resolve to take the points back to beautiful down town Bramall Lane. The Blades now march 14 points clear of third placed Leeds United.
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