Darren Ambrose`s stunning 69th minute volley pushed United further down into the mire of the Championship relegation zone and left Micky Adams and the travelling Blades fans wondering what the team have to do to win a game.
The Blades enjoyed the majority of possession throughout the game, played the ball on the floor and moved it wide at every opportunity, but the seasons Achilles heel of lack of fire power in front of goal was once again their undoing.
Palace employed a shoot on sight from distance, which Simonsen dealt with comfortably. United demonstrated patience on the ball, Adams has certainly got the pass and move game going now but final balls were not good enough or strikers were not in position to capitalise.
Throughout the team, confidence looked to be creeping back. Nosworthy`s return certainly strengthened the back four, who looked comfortable with Lowry alongside Collins. In midfield Riise pushed forward at every opportunity, and was always looking to bring the strikers into play. Quinn worked hard in midfield and Cresswell ran tirelessly with very little to show for it.
The first half had produced chances at both ends, Speroni punching away a ball that was easier to catch in the opening skirmishes, Neil Danns almost capitalised on an aging assistant referee missing a clear offside – twice – as Palace pushed forward. Simonsen then pulled off his only real save of the game, palming away a deflected Ambrose free kick after 25 minutes. Riise’s cross forced another corner as United continued to enjoy greater possession.
United weathered the opening ten minutes of the second half and began to force themselves back into the game. As they continued to push Palace back and commit men forward, a hurried defenders clearance found Danns and Vaughan who moved the ball on to AMBROSE who volleyed well beyond Simonsen from the edge of the area. A brilliantly taken half chance that deserved to win any game.
A flurry of yellows followed as United`s frustration at being behind surfaced. United then pushed more players forward as Evans, Bent and Yeates came on to try to rescue the point. Palace caught United pushing forward and could have punished them twice before Bent had a header cleared off the line with 4 minutes left.
Gloucs’s View
Another game, same problem. United were the better side, had greater posession, played to feet and there were encouraging signs that a bit of confidence is returning. Let me say right away that Ambrose’s goal was at a level well beyond this game. A half chance at best, everything before this had been from distance, but Simo had no chance with this strike. United didn’t deserve to lose but at the same time I couldn’t see where a goal was going to come from. Nosworthy strengthened the back four, and had one of his best games for United.
Five points adrift now and it’s looking bad, but the addition of Riise can make a big difference, I expect to see him more infulential in future games. With Harry’s infulence, I also expect set pieces to improve.
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