Sheffield United’s search for a victory in 2011 continues, as they were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Norwich City.
The Blades had hit back following Andrew Crofts’ opener when Ched Evans fired low in front of the Kop, but an almost carbon copy of his first by Crofts sealed the game for the visitors who continue their promotion push.
Marcus Bent made his second debut for the club, in an attacking line-up which included Evans, Richard Cresswell and Jamie Ward. It was clear from the off that the Blades wanted to use all four as much as possible with Bent at the centre of things flicking on for Evans, and spraying wide for Ward. However, despite their possession, United, who were backed by a healthy support, couldn’t find an opening goal.
Evans twice, and Ward had shots at goal from distance which were close, but not quite close enough as Canaries ‘keeper John Ruddy remained reasonably untroubled. Chris Martin went closest for the visitors just before the break when Christ Martin’s free-kick beat Steve Simonsen but couldn’t beat the crossbar.
The deadlock was broken on the hour mark, but the goal wasn’t without controversy. Simeon Jackson chased down Kyle Bartley and appeared to clip his heels in a similar fashion to the challenge that eventually led to Rafael’s red card in Manchester United’s game against Tottenham last week, but the referee waved away United’s protests. As the corner was swung in Simonsen collected the ball but released it when he was barged into by an attacker, allowing Crofts to smash home and put the Canaries one up. Simonsen expressed his anger at the cost of a yellow card.
United were soon on level terms though when Evans collected a high ball in the area with his back to goal, before rolling the defender and putting the ball into the back of the net against the team with whom he spent a period on loan from Manchester City.
Cresswell had a golden chance to put United in front, but as he managed on two occasions in the first half, headed well wide of the target under little pressure.
The visitors sealed the game on 80 minutes with a goal similar to the first. Again a corner from United’s right was aimed towards Simonsen who this time opted to punch, and Evans was supposedly pushed as he went to clear, allowing the ball to drop to Crofts to volley home again in front of the Bramall Lane end.
The Blades piled on the pressure in the dying moments, but as with all teams at the bottom seemed to lack the luck required to get any meaningful attempts at goal.
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