In a scrappy and disappointing game, the Blades were beaten at home 1-0 by a Stephen Ireland goal on 78 minutes.
Over 32 and-a-half thousand fans crammed in to Bramall Lane as the Blades started the game brightly. Although few chances were created in the first 10 minutes the home side were full of energy and passing the ball well.
It was City, however, who could have taken the lead on 12 minutes. A shot from Dabo from all of 25 yards took a wicked bounce in front of Kenny, but fortunately for United, the keeper kept the ball out with his face!
United’s first chance fell to Quinn who saw his half volley pushed wide by Weaver. United then had a huge penalty claim, as Richards pushed the ball away with both hands, but the referee waved them away.
Weaver again came to City’s rescue minutes later, this time pushing away a well struck shot from Jagielka.
Just before the half hour mark City should have had a penalty of their own. As the ball was headed towards goal by City Kozluck punched the ball off the line with his left hand but again the referee missed the incident.
The only other efforts of the match came from Kozluck, for United, and Ireland, for City, but both keepers dealt with the danger.
United began the second half well and put City under a lot of pressure. Armstrong twice went close before a melee in the box ended with Quinn smashing over from close range.
Despite all the home side`s pressure, City should have taken the lead when some poor defending by Davis let Samaras in but the striker put his shot well wide and out for a throw-in.
United continued to push and saw Dunne clear an Armstrong cross with Hulse waiting in the box. Next, Gillespie saw two corners cleared off the line, and Webber just couldn’t reach a cross, as the Blades looked certain to break the deadlock.
In the cruellest of turn-arounds it was actually City who took the lead, totally against the run of play. Samaras chested a Trabelsi cross in to the path of Ireland who drilled the ball into the corner of the net from the edge of the area.
The goal seemed to send the whole of Bramall Lane into shock and the only other chance the home team created was a Nade shot as City played out time.
After the great run of form that helped pull the Blades clear of the relegation zone, United have seemingly shot themselves in the foot. With Arsenal the next visitors to the Lane, United face the worrying prospect of slipping back into the bottom three. One things for sure, the Blades need to regain their scoring touch and fast.
Player Ratings
Kenny
6/10
Had little to do.
Kozluck
5/10
Slipped back into his old habits.
Geary
5/10
Taken off injured.
Davis
4/10
Looked like a third division player yesterday. Just swung his leg at the ball.
Morgan
5.5/10
Not forming a good partnership with Davis.
Jagielka
6/10
Had a couple of good shots and battled well.
Tonge
5.5/10
Not involved enough but some decent passing.
Quinn
6.5/10
Battling performance but not enough quality.
Gillespie
6.5/10
Great corners but not as impressive as recent reform.
Hulse
6/10
Had few opportunities in front of goal but not surprising with Webber as a strike partner.
Webber
4/10
The fact he stayed on the pitch as long as he did surprised me.
Armstrong
7/10
Full of running and needs to be back in the team.
Bromby
5/10
Didn’t make the defence look any tighter.
5.5/10
Had little impact as City played keep ball.