Match Reports

Morgs Backside hands Magpies victory!

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Sheffield United slumped to a fourth straight defeat at home to Newcastle United last night, but were unlucky to not claim a point.

A magnificent save by Steve Harper denied the Blades in the closing moments, and despite not winning in seven games, Kevin Blackwell’s men can take some encouragement from an ‘entertaining’ game at Bramall Lane (That’s not a mis-print).

Blackwell made two changes to the team, with Jordan Stewart and Andrew Davies replacing Andy Taylor and Glen Little, reverting wantaway defender Matthew Kilgallon to an unfamiliar left-back role.

The winning goal had a slice of good fortune in it, as Kevin Nolan won possession from Kyle Walker, and finding Ryan Taylor whose thirty yard shot deflected off the back of Chris Morgan, and completely wrong-footed Ian Bennett before rolling into the bottom corner of the goal at the Kop end.

Just minutes before Taylor’s effort, the Magpies had come close to opening the lead when Andy Carroll had headed against the base of the post.

Despite these two efforts, and a routine stop for Bennet before hand, the visitors created very little.

United created the first real chance of the game inside ten minutes, when Welsh international Ched Evans slid through Darius Henderson, but despite hitting a goal scoring streak of late, dragged his effort wide from a good position.

Keith Treacy, playing on the right wing fired over from 18 yards when Henderson had laid off a Stewart cross, and Stephen Quinn’s effort had similar results.

The goal came for the visitors just after half-time, and was a double blow for United as Kyle Walker had to be replaced with a ligament damage that could see him out for up to a month.

United continued to pile on the pressure, and introduced Henri Camara and David Cotterill but it was to no avail despite five minutes of added time.

Keith Treacy had time at the far post to control, but his shot was saved well by Harper, before the Newcastle number one preserved the points for the Magpies keeping out Darius Henderson’s header in the closing stages.

Overall, an improved performance by the Blades, who were unlucky not to take at least a point from the game. Chris Morgan’s booking means he will miss next monday’s televised game at Oakwell, and with Kyle Walker missing also, the Blades will be struggling to fill the backline.

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