Sheffield United were left rueing a defensive mix up as they conceded a late equaliser to Portsmouth on Saturday. The Blades had taken the lead in the first half thanks to an inch perfect free kick from Stephen Quinn, but conceded a sloppy equaliser with only nine minutes to go.
The Blades started the game well and could have been in front in the very first minute. New signing Jon Stead, who was impressive throughout, got his head on the end of a Geary cross but James gathered comfortably.
Portsmouth replied with a strike from veteran Andy Cole but his effort comfortably cleared the crossbar.
Stead was again involved as he broke down the right wing but the striker chose to cross to Hulse, who was in an offside position, instead of trying his luck at goal.
The lively Stead then set up a chance for Hulse but the striker’s tame shot went straight at James. The Blades had started well and got their reward minutes later.
A foul by Primus on Stead gave United a free kick on the edge of the area. Youngster Stephen Quinn was elected to take the set-piece and made no mistake, perfectly lifting the ball over the wall and floating it in to the top right hand corner.
Portsmouth, for the second time in less than a month, were enduring a poor first half against the Blades. The visitors did go close from a Cole header, but the striker failed to trouble Gerrard.
Portsmouth created the first real opportunity of the second half from a corner, but Campbell blazed over from close range.
For all of Portsmouth’s possession in the match it took until 55 minutes for Gerrard to make a save, tipping over from a fiercely struck shot from Cole.
Kranjcar almost got the equaliser for the visitors five minutes later but his long range effort fizzed just past the post.
Some excellent work down the left wing from Stead opened up the Portsmouth defence but the debutant seemed caught in two minds and in the end his cross-come-shot was gathered by James.
Just as the away side seemed to be running out of ideas in front of goal a terrible mix-up in the Blades defence gifted them their equaliser.
Mendes poor ball forward was misjudged by both Davis and Gerrard, and as the defender got the ball caught under his feet, O’Neil prodded the equaliser home.
Gerrard’s indecision to come off his line nearly cost the Blades in the first half and is a major weakness in the Keeper’s game. Davis was certainly at fault once Gerrard decided not to come, but the keeper, who has replaced the injured Kenny, is quickly becoming a laughing stock.
The Stopper has now played three games for the Blades and has dropped clangers in every single one. Gerrard’s indecision makes him a defender’s worst nightmare and he MUST be replaced for the Blades trip to Reading in six days time.
Davis almost made amends for his part in Portsmouth’s goal in injury time, but his header came back off the post.
A 1-1 draw may well have been looked upon as a positive result before the game, but the manner and timing of the equaliser, made it feel far more like two points dropped.
Player Ratings
Gerrard
1/10
Gerrard deserves 1 point for making a couple of decent stops from Cole but his decision making is appalling and he can’t continue in net for the Blades.
Kozluck
6.5/10
Defended well, but played some poor balls forward.
Geary
6.5/10
A solid game from Geary.
Davis
6.5/10
He was on course to be Man-of-the-match until his part in Pompey’s equaliser
Lucketti
8/10
Defended brilliantly and made some great clearing headers.
Jagielka
6.5/10
Defended well and did the little things right.
Gillespie
6/10
Looks like Keeeiths back to his old self. Moments of good play and then he goes missing for 20 minutes.
Montgomery
7/10
Gave the ball away too much in first half but had a great second half.
Stephen Quinn
6.5/10
Superb free kick but didn’t get involved much coming forward in second half.
Hulse
6/10
Had a shocking few touches in first half but improved in second.
Stead
8/10
Great debut from Stead. Ran at defenders and linked up well with midfield.
Nade
7/10
Chased everything down but had little chance in front of goal.
Tonge
N/A
Had little time to make an impact.