In the dying embers of the game Chris Morgan directed a header passed Goalkeeper Steve Simonsen’s left palm and sent Bramall Lane bouncing into the New Year! The promotion bandwagon rolls on into 2006, as the defender’s solid header from 7 yards out in the 91st minute, cushioned the Blades 9 points clear from 3rd placed Leeds United.
Stoke City did not turn up to merely make up the numbers though. The Potters put up a fight and dominated in the early exchanges and the Blades knew they had a game on their hands. Stoke City’s attacking midfielder, Paul Gallagher, was a thorn in the side of United as he beat a fatigued David Unsworth on several occasions in the opening stages to whip in dangerous crosses. Stoke were unable to capitalize on their early pressure and United began to fight back.
With the speedy and skillful duo of Steven Kabba and Danny Webber flanking big man Neil Shipperley, United were able to create their first chance of the game. Kabba and Webber linked up to feed Shipperley, however the Stoke defence cut out the final touch of the move.
It was undoubtedly the visitors who continued to dominate the beginning of the half with Nick Chadwick beating Alan Quinn and David Unsworth, to cross into Gallagher who then fired the ball through to Sambegou Bangoura, whose red-hot reactions got a shot away, but Paddy Kenny saved brilliantly at close range. Chadwick continued to menace United?s defence and Kenny was forced to parry a shot, after Chadwick ran through midfield with the ball. United clawed themselves back into the game on the 13th minute as Quinn and Shipperley linked up to set up Webber?s strike, which was well saved by the diving Simonsen.
Nick Montgomery, who had a poor game up to this point, struck his first goal of the season on the 18th minute, slightly against the run of play. Irishman Derek Geary was fouled on the right-hand side, the resultant free-kick, delivered by Unsworth, was flicked on by Morgan, before Jagielka laid off Montgomery, who fired into the bottom corner at the Bramall Lane end. The Yorkshire man wheeled away to celebrate with his team-mates in front of the John Street stand. United were now on top and moments later Alan Quinn blasted a shot wide.
As half-time approached, David Unsworth whipped in a corner ball which Morgan latched onto, the ball then fell to Phil Jagielka, who once again teed up midfield partner Nick Montgomery, however this time his shot was blasted well over.
As the second half-kicked off, Warnock made tactical changes by swapping Webber and Kabba; the latter now ran the right wing, with Webber attacking down the left hand side. Kozluk then entered the fray, just after half time, as a recently booked Unsworth left the field. Geary moved to left-back to accommodate Kozluk?s arrival. This defensive re-shuffle proved to be a disaster moments later, as Stoke struck the leveler, truly against the run of play.
African striker, Mamady Sidibe, picked up the ball on half way and ran thirty yards down the channel before slotting the ball through to fellow African and strike partner Bangoura. The big number 7 then played the ball through to Chadwick, whose shot was then blocked, but Sidibe was there to pounce and finish off the move; slipping the ball away under Kenny.
Warnock continued to ring the changes, taking off Steven Kabba and replacing him with midfielder Paul Ifill. Stoke then had claims for a penalty waved away by referee Lee Mason. The Linesman had flagged as Sambegou Bangoura fell under a tackle from Leigh Bromby in the area, however Mason overruled the flag, while Paddy Kenny showed his annoyance at what he obviously saw as a dive, from City?s number 7.
United were now in the ascendancy, as they thoroughly dominated in the second-half. Quinn dug in and held the ball on the by-line inside the Stoke penalty area before pulling the ball back to Shipperley, who was well placed inside box. However, he fired his shot high into Shorham Street.
Moments later, Paul Ifill won the ball inside the United half, ran fifty-yards, and shot from outside the area. He ignored runs from both Webber and Quinn instead he chose to go it alone.
Stoke had a rare effort on 76 minutes with Chadwick shooting over form twenty yards out, Chadwick then repeated this effort moments later, however, this time Kenny was forced to make the save.
The game ended in a frantic nature as United then played a swift one-two between Webber and Quinn, with Quinn?s shot saved by the Stoke stopper. Kenny was then called into action; making a brilliant save with his left boot from a Darel Russell shot inside the area. Sidibe missed a header from a Brammer corner; a miss which he will rue, as the Blades charged down the other end and took all three points. Substitute Michael Tonge was instrumental in the build up, as he tackled Sigurdsson in midfield, and then moved the ball through to Shipperley, who passed the ball onto Phil Jagielka on the right-hand side. Jagielka?s cross was then met by a mighty Morgan header. The New Years Eve celebration had began for S2!
Stoke were unfortunate not to hold on for the draw, in what was a toughly fought battle. However, United?s never say die attitude won through in the end.
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