Monday nights 2-2 draw with Villa saw the best, and worst, of Sheffield United. A poor first half display saw them trailing 1-0 at half-time, before a great second half performance helped earn them a well deserved point. Petrov gave Villa the lead after only two minutes but goals from Stephen Quinn and Danny Webber put the Blades in front, before Baros leveled the scores to give each team a share of the spoils.
Like Reading before them, Villa were gifted a 1-0 lead after a matter of seconds due to some sloppy Blades defending. Sutton`s pass was weakly cleared by Bromby and Petrov smashed the ball low past Kenny`s right hand and in to the back of the net.
The Blades managed a reply only minutes later though as Hulse found some room in the box but poked his shot wide of the right hand post. A penalty appeal was then turned down by ref Mark Halsey as Quinn was clattered on the edge of the box. The resulting free kick was smashed straight at the wall by Jagielka though.
Although the Blades were certainly not at their best, Jagielka`s deflected strike almost drew them level on 26 minutes, but the ball dipped just over and onto the roof of the net.
Villa should have been two goals in front minutes later though, as Sutton met a Petrov fee-kick but saw his effort strike the post and then get hacked clear. The resulting corner saw Kenny make a fantastic double save to deny Cahill both times.
The final minutes of the half saw another chance go begging for Hulse. The striker found himself in space on the edge of the box but again shot wide of the right hand post.
The home side had obviously had a strong talking to from Warnock at half-time as they came out rejuvenated. The Blades could have equalized instantly as Kozluck`s cross found Quinn at the back post but his volley was blocked and then Montgomery blazed over the rebound.
The youngster did not have long to wait for his first ever Premiership goal though. On 53 minutes Kozluck was again involved as his long throw was flicked on by Ridgewell and this time Quinn volleyed past the helpless Taylor to the delight and relief of the home fans.
The goal seemed to give the whole ground a lift as the Blades, roared on by their fans, went looking for a second. It nearly came on the hour as Hulse powerfully met a Gillespie corner but directed his effort straight at Villa keeper Taylor.
As the Blades really began to dominate the game, they were rewarded with a second goal. Another corner from Gillespie was headed across goal by Morgan and Webber flicked the ball over his shoulder and into the top corner.
As Bramall Lane was still celebrating, the home side made a school boy error by immediately gifting Villa their equaliser. Webber inexcusably lost the ball on the half way line, and then refused to even chase back, and as Villa pushed forward a Davis` cross flicked off Sutton and Morgan`s heads, and Baros was left free to volley in from all of 8 yards.
Although the Blades may have shot themselves in the foot by giving away the lead so quickly, they continued to push for another goal. It almost came on 75 minutes as a Gillespie free-kick whistled just wide of the post.
Two minutes later the Blades were again denied, this time by a smart double save by Taylor. Hulse saw his first shot saved and then Nade had his effort cleared off the line from only two yards out. The resulting corner saw a spectacular effort from Quinn, that was destined for the top corner, again pushed away by Taylor.
Villa hit back in the last five minutes with a couple of efforts of their own. First Morgan blocked a Sutton effort, and then Petrov`s deflected free-kick went just wide of Kenny`s post.
The final whistle was met by applause from both sets of fans after an exciting and pulsating second half display. Villa`s first half performance could have won them the game, while the same could have been said for United`s second. Nevertheless, as the players showed the fans their appreciation, both sides seemed happy enough with a draw.
Player Ratings
Kenny
6/10
Could, and perhaps should, have done better with the first goal but made a great double save to keep us in the game.
Kozluck
6/10
Worked hard but looked dodgy defensively at times.
Geary
7.5/10
Another solid performance from the little man.
Bromby
5/10
Gave away the first goal and showed far too much respect to Sutton and Baros.
Morgan
5.5/10
Morgan, uncharacteristically, seemed to get pushed around by Sutton.
Jagielka
6/10
Shocking first half, good second.
Montgomery
6/10
Same as Jag’s
S. Quinn
8/10
Great goal, and could have had two. Superb all round performance.
Gillespie
8.5/10
Another MOM performance from Keeeeith.
Hulse
6/10
Seems to have lost a bit of form recently. Should have had at least one goal.
Webber
2/10
As stupid as it sounds, apart from scoring the goal Webber did little else other than gift them their equaliser.
Nade
6/10
Put himself about well but made little impact compared to recent weeks.