Sheffield United missed a glorious chance to net their first Premiership win, missing two penalties against Blackburn in a disappointing 0-0 draw.
However, both clubs paid the ultimate penalty with Blackburn`s Lucas Neill also missing from the spot, the first of the afternoon on 72 minutes, to kickstart a dramatic last quarter of the game.
As expected, Neil Warnock decided against risking Leigh Bromby, Craig Short and Claude Davis. David Sommeil took Bromby`s place at right-back, whilst the fit-again Paul Ifill replaced the injured Nick Montgomery on the right wing. Otherwise it was as you were from the side who lost 1-0 at Fulham. Blackburn were without both the injured Jason Roberts and Steven Reid but welcomed back Tugay in midfield.
There was an early scare for United when Kenny inexplicably sliced a long clearance from Blackburn instead of catching it. But when the ball was played back into the box by Emerton, Francis Jeffers flashed his header well wide.
United sprung to life on the quarter hour mark. Chris Armstrong brilliantly side-stepped Savage and swung a perfect diagonal ball which put Rob Hulse through on goal. Hulse let the ball bounce once on the edge of the area and then lashed his shot wide. It was a guilt edged chance and the former Leeds man should have at least have hit the target with no Blackburn defender challenging him.
Soon afterwards The Blades received yet another blow with Danny Webber leaving the field feeling his hamstring to be replaced by Christian Nade on 18 minutes. United continued to be the better team in a rather quiet first period. Nade won a free-kick and Tonge stepped up to warm Brad Friedal`s hands from 22 yards. Blackburn offered little threat although David Bentley`s centres always caused panic in the United defence.
Warnock thought the home team should have been awarded a penalty when Rob Hulse was felled in the area but Robbie Savage tackled the striker cleanly. Blackburn hit back but Lucas Neill`s curled effort from Benni McCarthy`s neat lay-off failed to force Kenny into action which typified the the first half. On the stroke of half-time Hulse latched on to another cross field ball, this time for Sommeil, but this time his chest control let him down and a Blackburn defender prevented him from getting a shot on goal.
On a pleasing note, Mikele Leigertwood enjoyed an excellent first half and had a fine game overall. The former Palace man made up a lot of ground and timed many of his tackles to perfection.
Blackburn began more positively after the restart and Jeffers was adjudged to be narrowly offside following Tugay`s threaded pass. It was to be a false dawn for the away side as the action soon deteriorated into a scrappy affair.
United came within inches of grabbing the lead. Jagielka`s free-kick found its way to Hulse on the left-edge of the box. Hulse`s delightful turn and centre just evaded Nade at the far post and Blackburn were able to clear their lines. United were on top now.
Nade fought hard to hold the ball up and bring Armstrong into play. Armstrong`s excellent centre found an unmarked Tonge in the box but he sent his header over the top. Like Rob Hulse in the first half, the goal starved Tonge should have forced Friedal to make a save. Warnock made his second substitution of the day, taking off Ifill and handing a debut to deadline day signing Colin Kazim-Richards on 64 minutes.
On 72 minutes though referee Mike Dean awarded a ridiculous penalty to Blackburn. Pedersen`s cross saw Benni McCarthy theatrically fall in the area when challenged by Unsworth. To say it was harsh was an understatement. But justice was done when Paddy Kenny saved from Lucas Neill by making a splendid diving save to his left. Mark Hughes then made a substitution, introducing new loan signing Nonda for McCarthy as both teams sought three points.
Given a new lease of life following Kenny`s save, Armstrong and Tonge both had efforts beaten away by the inspired Friedal. Mikele Leigertwood then burst forward but scuffed his shot tamely at the Blackburn keeper when things had opened up for him.
More controversy followed when referee Dean awarded United a penalty from Unsworth`s corner, I couldn`t even guess what for. Sadly for United, justice was again served, when Unsworth`s spot-kick was saved by Friedal. It was well placed by the left-back but lacked sufficient power.
Intent on ensuring that United bagged their first Premiership win, Dean incredibly handed the Blades a second penalty after the linesman adjudged Ooijer to have handled the ball back to Friedal. My immediate reaction was that this was the correct call by the officials though Blackburn boss Mark Hughes was incensed by the verdict.
It mattered not as this time Rob Hulse stepped up and duly squandered another golden opportunity for United. Hulse`s penalty was a carbon copy of Unsworth`s, except he stuck it in the opposite corner. Cows backsides and banjos spring to mind.
And Hulse still had time to win the game for United at the death but his shot from six-yards out was saved by the legs of Friedal.
After struggling to barely create any chances in their opening three Premiership fixtures, United only have themselves to blame today. They should have comfortably won this game without having to have been dependent on being awarded a penalty, let alone two! This is definitely two points dropped. If Warnock`s men are to survive they must surely win games like this.
On a positive note at least The Blades finally looked a threat against a decent Blackburn side who look as though they will struggle to repeat their success of last season.
United must quickly shake off their disappointment and look to gain maximum points in both home games against Reading and Middlesbrough.
Sheff Utd: Kenny, Sommeil, Jagielka, Morgan, Unsworth, Ifill (Kazim-Richards 64), Leigertwood, Tonge (Quinn 82), Armstrong, Webber (Nade 18), Hulse.
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