Sheffield United slumped to their first home defeat of the season as a very fortunate Norwich City took all three points after a tenacious boxing day encounter.
The match started in a blistering pace and within minutes Bromby made an almost fatal mistake in defense but Dean Ashton fired wide after the resulting cross. United came back with intent and moments later Unsworth?s curling free-kick dipped agonizingly over the framework. Michael Tonge surged forward with force beating two players and stinging Robert Green?s palms with a powerful drive.
United almost took the lead after Phil Jagielka?s back heel provided Alan Quinn with a great opportunity but he whipped the ball wide of the far post with a poorly taken effort. However, shortly afterwards David Unsworth?s corner was superbly headed in to the net by Phil Jagielka, giving United a slender, yet deserved lead. Two minutes after the re-start Nick Montgomery nearly doubled the lead but drove his 13-yard volley well wide.
Frustratingly Norwich drew level moments before the halfway point, the goal itself was against the run of play but there can be no complaints in the manner it was scored. After a superb passing sequence Paul McVeigh buried the ball in the bottom right corner despite Kenny?s best efforts. His celebration deserves a mention as it was completely pathetic, with deliberate intent to incite the crowd. His conduct was embarrassing for both himself and his club and, hopefully, he will be punished by the F.A. Despite this Paddy Kenny?s malicious collision with McVeigh, as he chased the ball minutes later, should not be condoned either.
Norwich went in at half time the happier of the two teams and as the teams began the second half United knew the win was well within their grasp, however the next forty-five minutes were disastrous to say the least.
Despite a reasonably bright start Norwich took the lead for the first time in the match when the deadly Dean Ashton beat the offside trap with precision before crashing the ball in to the net with a confident finish, United were obviously rattled. However, instead of hitting back the home team became sloppy, especially in midfield and gave Norwich the ball far too much. Soon the game was out of their reach as Norwich notched a third in bizarre fashion.
A decent pass sent Darren Huckerby, who was arguably the worst player on the pitch, racing down the wing. A somewhat bemusing decision by Paddy Kenny followed as he came hurtling out of his area and with a wild lunge missed both the ball and the player. Huckerby proceeded to square the ball to Ashton on the edge of the area. However his shot on an open goal seemed to be swinging wide before Unsworth and Morgan jumped up for the header at the same time, getting tangled up in mid-air. As both players came down in disarray the ball gently bounced of Unsworth?s head and trickled over the line to complete an almost laughable series of events.
The game sluggishly grinded to a halt and United left the field feeling sorry for themselves, and rightly so. After threatening the Norwich goal all the game, they at least deserved a point. However Neil Warnock?s red and white wizards will have to pick themselves up hastily as they prepare for another tantalizing fixture against Southampton in what has so-far been a tremendous season.
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