Match Reports

Ched proves he’s the big Cheese on home debut

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Image for Ched proves he’s the big Cheese on home debut

A goal on his full debut by Ched Evans helped United to a 2-0 victory over a lackluster Watford side.

The Blades ran out comfortable winners after dominating the first home tie of the season, and Welshman Evans got the Blades second goal after Jamie Ward had poked them in front.

It follows two goals in midweek, during Wales’ Under21 international for Evans, signed from Manchester City last month for £3million. However, it was more than just the goal that will have pleased both manager and fans, as he slipped seamlessly into the Blades side.

Despite the influx of wingers over the summer, Blackwell opted for Jamie Ward on the right hand side, allowing Evans to partner ex Hornet Henderson in attack.

The Blades got out of the blocks quickest, and despite referee Oliver’s over enthusiasm with the whistle, managed to create some momentum, with Ward firing over from distance after just three minutes.

It was Ward who put the Blades in front, on his return from a two game ban on twelve minutes. A mazy run down the left by Treacy, led to him stroking a low ball across goal which Ward met with his left foot to pass the ball into the back of the net.

Evans continued to look lively up front, and almost sniffed out an opportunity from a Bunn clearance, and Treacy hit a right footed shot wide from twenty yards. The final chance of the half came from a well worked freekick; Kilgallon heading wide from Howard’s cross.

The second half brought more of the same, Ward with an early shot, before United doubled the lead. Again Treacy playing provider, setting up Evans who cut inside from the left and unleashed, leaving Loach to just pick the ball out of the back of the net.

The Blades should have made it three shortly after. Brian Howard’s perfect through ball put Ward clear, and despite having a full goal to aim at, tried to take it round Loach, who stuck out a leg and prevented the ex Chesterfield man.

United had the final two efforts of the game, Henderson volleying over on his wrong foot, before substitute Cotterill hit the post with an effot from the angle.

Player Ratings

Mark Bunn
Another solid display from Bunn, and his accurate distribution is very encouraging.

Kyle Walker
What can we say, improving all the time. Set for a big season with United.

Chris Morgan
Didn’t have a lot to do today, but was absolutely solid against a lively looking Ellington.

Matt Kilgallon
Kept Watford’s golden boy Graham under wraps all game, and looked every bit the player we’ve got used to.

Andy Taylor
Another no nonsense solid display from Taylor. Showed some ability in his left foot with a lovely free-kick in the first half that Henderson almost got on the end off.

Jamie Ward
Excellent first half from the youngster. Ran himself into the ground and caused problems all afternoon. If he could just add some composure to his finishing he would be complete.

Brian Howard
Included in the team in place of Stephen Quinn, but didn’t do much to keep his shirt. This could be a position Kevin Blackwell will be looking to strengthen.

Nick Montgomery
If there’s question marks about one central midfield position, it certainly won’t be the one occupied by Montgomery. I’ll be honest, I’ve never rated Montgomery as a footballer, but after the first two displays, he has to be the first name on the teamsheet.

Keith Treacy
Shepsblade’s man of the match, Treacy appears to be closer to the finished product than Reid, and despite a liking for scooping the ball away a la Stephen Quinn, shows he has quality in abundance.

Darius Henderson
Unlucky with most decisions going against him, and had two efforts that almost got his name on the teamsheet. His goal tally may not reach much towards the end of the season, but will always put himself about for the good of the team.

Ched Evans
A dream debut for Evans. After his brief cameo at Middlesborough, the fans couldn’t wait to see what he could do, and a display like this will have surely whet their appetite.

David Cotterill
On for Ward 70

Kyel Reid
On for Treacy 77
On for Evans 90

Kevin Blackwell
‘I was pleased with Ched,’

‘He showed good instincts both in terms of his passing and his finishing.

‘We made plenty of chances and were always on the front foot. We were inventive and creative. I was very pleased with them.’

Malky Mackay
‘There were times before the first goal, where I thought we looked very strong.

‘There were times after half time when I thought we started well enough and once again had good spells of play when the game opened up.

‘I thought we had some decent passes going on, but then we lost the second goal which the boys were really disappointed with.

‘At that point, we were then chasing shadows because there were a score of Sheffield players who were on the up at home.

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