and what a circus that was. From Hogan Ephraim’s opener, the Blades capitulated in their first home game of the season, being smashed 3-0 at home to Neil Warnock’s Queens Park Rangers. Adel Taarabt completed the scoring from the penalty spot in a crazy first half, after Jamie Mackie had headed home the second. Paddy Kenny received a reception at Bramall Lane like few others, but had the last laugh at 5 o’clock. It wasn’t a lack of trying for the Blades, who had much of the play, but it was a real case of quality over quantity, which left United fans ‘going ape.’ Signs were positive at the outset, with the atmosphere ringing round Bramall Lane (created mainly from the Kenny response), and a number of home debuts brought optimism from the fans. The early exchanges were equal, with neither side getting on top as a number of new players tried to gel, until a through split the Blades back four wide apart, allowing Ephraim to burst through and stroke past Simonsen with ease. Some fans appealed for offside, but Andy Taylor’s position 5 yards behind his fellow defenders, meant these were quickly quashed. If things looked bleak now, they were about to get much worse, when Taarabt found the full-back overlapping on the left, and from his cross, Mackie headed home unmarked at the back post. With the fans still reeling, Rangers broke into the box again, and when Simonsen brought down the forward, Taarabt capped his fine start to the game by rolling the ball into the bottom corner, sending Bramall Lane into dismay. Cresswell forced Kenny into a save in front of the Kop (one for the cameras), in United’s only real attempt. Kyle Bartley had a penalty appeal waved away, as did Jamie Ward, although either one would have been harsh on the visitors. However, when Ched Evans burst into the box, he also was brought down, this time forcing the players into fits of rage. The second half started more brightly, Ched Evans heading a clearance back towards the Rangers defence, and despite racing clear, Cresswell blazed over Kenny’s bar when he should have done better. The game finished off in the manner that many Blades games have, with a lot of huff and puff, but nothing to show at the end of it. The referee brought an end to the game in front of the remaining 8,000-9,000 fans to a chorus of boos, leaving the pantomime villain Kenny, and ringmaster Warnock to celebrate. _______________________ Star man: It’s hard to pick one out of United’s side today, with Jamie Ward being one of the few not to leave the field feeling ashamed for themselves. The real star of the game, would have to be Adel Taarabt. The former Spurs attacker run rings around the Blades defence, eventually leading to a crunching ________ Shep’s view: Well, what can we say? When the home fans are jeering 5 minutes added time despite being behind, it’s a sorry affair. I’ll keep it brief – Jamie Ward got a mention in the star player, because even as the game wore on his continued running was a breath of fresh air, but not once was he given any service from the players around him. The less said about Andy Taylor the better, single-handedly gifting the opposition the first two goals, making Stephen Jordan’s return to fitness a must. At the end of the day (ooo footballers cliche), despite putting the effort in, the Blades patched up defence were exploited by the quality in Rangers’ attack.
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