David Connolly cancelled out Andy Gray's first-half penalty with an equaliser six minutes after the restart and for much of the second period the visitors looked the most likely winners. Neil Warnock made a triple substitution with less than 15 minutes on the clock bringing on Kabba, Shipplerley and Gillespie that clearly changed the outcome of the game. Gillespie's crosses gave good supply to the Blades' forward line and on 81 minutes United won their second penalty of the afternoon that Steve Kabba converted. Paul Ifill's fine header three minutes later following a Gillespie cross from the right clinched all three points for the home side and Leigh Bromby chested home a cross from Ifill to make it 4-1 in the dying moments of the game.

In recent seasons United have been slow starters but this result represents a good start and puts them top of the league. A 4-1 scoreline left Leicester feeling hard done by as at times particularly in the second half they looked like they could have got at least a point.

Neil Shipperley and Chris Morgan scored first-half goals to secure Sheffield United's second win of the season. Shipperley's first goal for the Blades came after just four minutes as he converted Danny Webber's cross.Morgan extended the advantage before the break as a punched clearance from Brian Jensen rebounded off Morgan and crept over the line. The Clarets made a breakthrough with 19 minutes left as Ade Akinbiyi tapped in after Gifton Noel-Williams' shot.

The Blades remain top of the Championship having won two out of two.

Steven Kabba added United's consolation goal in the final minute of injury time.

Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock played down reports of a tunnel fracas after seeing his side's 100% start to the Coco-Cola Championship season halted by QPR at Loftus Road. Warnock had to restrain Blades skipper Chris Morgan from confronting Rangers players as they left the pitch..

United fought back from a one goal first half deficit to take a 2-1 victory over Preston North End. The absence of Richard Cresswell from The Preston squad fuelled speculation that the former Owls striker may been on his way out from Deepdale with the Blades one of many clubs trying to secure his signature. Cresswell has failed to sign a new contract at Preston and Billy Davies, the North End manager, has implied in the press that they would allow the striker to go subject to a suitable offer. Cresswell appears to be the latest in a line of strikers to be leave the Lancashire club with Fuller and Healy being sold last season while David Nugent is also being looked at by Premiership clubs.

Although United had much of the early play Preston midfielder Paul McKenna struck a superb 25-yard free-kick which flew into the top left-hand corner of Paddy Kenny's net to give the away side the lead. Neil Shipperley equalised on the stroke of half-time with a spectacular overhead kick after the Preston defence failed to clear a long throw from Leigh Bromby. United were relieved to be going in all square but it would have been a travesty if United had been trailing at the interval based on the first half performance.

In the second half both sides made a number of substitutions while United in particularly tried to find a winner. Michael Tonge was booed off by a small section of the crowd as he gave way for Alan Quinn. Tonge's indifferent form seems to have continued from the latter half of last season but the boos were a bit harsh. United finished strongly with Jon Harley's shot saved by Carlo Nash and Phil Jagielka heading wide from a Keith Gillespie cross.

Chris Morgan also had an effort blocked and Bromby headed wide before Webber struck at the death. Gillespie's free-kick was met by Montgomery who headed back across the face of goal and Webber touched the ball home at the far post.

The Blades sit in second place with three wins out of four while Reading top the league on goal difference.

United made eight changes from the side that started against Preston on Saturday with only Bromby, Morgan and Iffill staying in the team as Neil Warnock gave opportunities to many of his squad players. Ian Ross scored a debut goal to settle a dour clash with Boston. The Blades' homegrown star capitalised on Keith Gillespie's corner to spare the Championship side's blushes. Chris Armstrong should then have doubled the advantage but was wasteful when presented with a great chance to shoot inside the box.

Flowing football was in short supply and the Blades will simply be relieved to be through.

Following Scowcroft's goal for the visitors, Adebola almost doubled Coventry's lead moments later when United's defence look shaky at times and the big striker forced a good save from Kenny to keep United in the game.

With Neil Warnock keen to bring in a new striker before the transfer window closes at the end of August, preparations for the game were disruted when Danny Webber sustained a calf injury in the warm-up prior to kick-off. Stephen Kabba was drafted in as a late replacement and took his chance by scoring a United's equaliser on the half hour when he beat Coventry's offside trap and finished well passed the Skyblues keeper.

The Blades looked less than convincing in the second half as they struggled to break down Coventry's resolute defence. Matt Heath was sent off following a second yellow card after a foul on Kabba but the ten men couldn't hold out for a point when debutant David Unsworth scored the Blades late winner from the spot.

The Blades made one change from the side that beat Coventry on Saturday with Ifill being rested to the substitutes bench due to a slight ankle injury that allowed Keith Gillespie to make his first start for the United.

Neil Shipperley bundled home from close range to give United a brief lead before Paddy Kenny's fumble let in Stephen Foster to head Crewe level. Four minutes after half time, Kabba flicked on for Quinn to out-run the defence and slot the ball home. Phil Jagielka then nodded down Quinn's cross for Kabba to wrap up the points.

United now have a break until Saturday week due to next weekend's international fixtures and they couldn't have wished for a better start as they sit on top of the Championship.

Ipswich had a great chance to equalise in the 57th minute when they were awarded a penalty following Kabba's trip on Castro but Blades keeper Paddy Kenny saved down to his left from Darren Currie's spot-kick.

Kabba sealed victory for United in stoppage time, when he used his pace to beat the visitors' defences after being sent clear by Quinn before slotting the ball past Price.

United can take a lot of credit from this victory against a well-organised Ipswich side. The system of playing "Ships" up front on his own with Iffil and Kabba wide could be interpreted as a bit negative but this formation with Quinn floating in centre midfield and "Jaggs" and "Monty" putting in the tackles in front on the back four seemed to work well and I think Neil Warnock may use this formation again particularly away from home.

The Blades made two enforced changes from the side that beat Ipswich on Saturday due to injuries to Short (hamstring) and Iffil (ankle). Gillespie and Kozluk came into the side to face a Brighton side that drew 3-3 at Elland Road over the weekend.

United started brightly and had a number of early opportunities to taking the lead through Gillespie, Shipperley and Quinn. But they only had to wait until twenty-five minutes before making the break through. Jagielka linked well with Kabba who returned the ball to "Jaggs" who first brought out a save from the Brighton keeper that he couldn't hold. Jagielka followed in and shot into the roof of the net to give United a much-deserved lead.

United almost doubled the lead when Kabba had an effort that hit the bar just short of the interval.

The Blades dominated much of the second half without extending their lead but late in the game Brighton came close to finding the equaliser on a number of occasions. Chances included an effort from Leon Knight who shot just wide of the mark in the fourth minute of added time.

United held on to take their seventh win out of eight games and remain clear leaders at the top on the Championship.

Vincent Pericard joined the Blades from Portsmouth on loan for three months during the week with the possibility of a permanent move to follow. Pericard, who was at Juventus for two years before joining Pompey, has recently returned to action after a serious knee injury.

Pericard and Short were left out of the squad that travelled to Watford as both were recovering from slight hamstring strains. Ifill replaced Gillespie from the side that beat Brighton on Tuesday night.

A largely even but scrappy first half looked likely to finished 0-0 at half time but Darius Henderson who replaced Marlon King earlier in the opening period headed the home side in front just six minutes short of the interval.

Henderson seemed to put Watford into full control of the game when he scored his second goal of the match on 52minutes. Phil Jagielka headed the Blades back into the game at 2-1 and then on 65 minutes Paul Ifill droved the ball past the Watford keeper to tie things up at 2-2.

The game suddenly looked in danger of boiling over when Watford defender Mackay was sent off following a challenge with Kozluk. But with little more than ten minutes left on the clock United went 3-2 up when the Watford penalty area resembled a pinball machine as a United move peppered the goal area which eventually resulted in the ball crossing the goal line via Watford defender Clark Carlisle.

Late in the game Jordan Stewart produced a vital save from Paddy Kenny when he drove from the edge of the United's area and Kenny tipped over the bar.

The Blades remain four points clear at the top of the Championship as second place Reading beat Crewe 1-0.

Once again, great fighting spirit from United to come back from a two-goal deficit as the Blades go marching on with best start to a season for donkey's years.

A second string Blades side needed extra-time and a penalty shoot-out to eventually beat a League Two Shrewsbury side 4-3 on penalties in the second round of the Carling Cup. Only Chris Morgan survived from the team that beat Watford on Saturday as Neil Warnock rang the changes with Tonge, Geary, Nalis, Francis, Wright and Webber coming into the side while Stephen Quinn, (younger brother of Alan) made his debut.

Shrewsbury keeper Joe Hart produced a fine display, then missed the shoot-out spot-kick which sent Shrewsbury crashing out of the competition. Hart made a host of good saves as the League Two side held out against the Championship leaders for 90 minutes. He also made three stops in extra-time, turning away two Alan Wright efforts and Lilian Nalis' powerful strike. But with the Blades leading the shoot-out 4-3, Hart clipped the outside of the post to send United through.

If ever there was a game of two halves this was it. The Blades completely dominated the first half against Derby going two up in the first half and could easily have gone in at the interval three or four up. However, Derby made two half time substitutions that changed the game and United were relieved to eventually win the game by the odd goal, 2-1.

Neil Warnock welcomed back the same eleven that did so well at Watford last week while the players from the second string side that made heavy work of the cup game in midweek gave way with the exception of Chris Morgan who remained ever-present.

United wasted little time before going a goal up when David Unsworth's in swinging corner appeared to take a slight defection on it's path into the goal but Unsworth was happy to claim it. The Blades dominated the first half with Kabba and Iffil playing with confidence and pace that gave the away side problems. Neil Shipperly almost put United further ahead when his solid header was saved by Camp in the Rams' goal and moments later Kabba appeared to be upended in the box when he was through on goal but the referee waved away the home side's appeals. United went two up on 37 minutes following another Unsworth corner when Phil Iffil drove home from just inside the box.

At the start of the second half the visitors made two substitutions with former Blades' favourite Paul Peschisolido coming on along with El Hamdaoui. "Pesch" made an immediate impact when he toe-poked a cross past Kenny on 53 minutes, although it was the introduction of influential El Hamdaoui which almost turned the game as Derby controlled much of the second period and were unlucky not to take a point away from Bramall Lane.

United remain four points clear of Reading at the top of the Championship and have now opened up a nine gap on third place Watford.

Plymouth came close to levelling when Paul Wotton's shot hit an upright.

But the Blades sealed the win on the half-hour when Quinn drilled a 20-yard free-kick through a crowded area.

The game of the day in the Championship that saw the top two in the division going head to head lived up to it's billing as Reading took the lead within two minutes but the Blades responded well equalising through Kabba on the quarter hour mark. A game played at a high octane pace also had its controversy when Paddy Kenny was lucky to escape with just a yellow card when the Blades' keeper handled outside of his box and at the end of the game Neil Warnock and Stuart McCall protested to the referee who failed to give a penalty in United's favour.

United remained unchanged from the side that beat Plymouth on Tuesday night, though Kenny was a doubt having suffered from an overnight stomach upset. Reading started brightly forcing two corners in the first two minutes and Gunnarsson put the home side in front. United responded on fourteen minutes when Phil Ifill made a positive run down the right and crossed to Quinn at the back post who found Kabba who scored his seventh goal of the season.

United looked likely to earn a draw against their second place rivals but Gunnarsson found the net when his header gave Reading the win with just a minute on the clock.

Although this was a very competitive and watchable game chances were at a premium and both defences can take credit. Neil Shipperley's early goal following a Blades' corner proved to be the winner although Kabba came close to doubling United's lead just before the interval when the busy striker ran through the Wolves defence only to hit the base of the upright.

United largely controlled much of the first half but the away side looked stronger in the second period and Carl Cort should have pinched an equaliser when he volleyed the ball over the top from close range following a cross from the left from Davies.

Good displays from Kabba, Quinn, Kozluk and Unsworth as the Blades go marching on with seven wins out of seven at home.

4-0

1-1

As United lost their 100% home record, rivals in the promotion chase also lost ground as Luton went down 1-0 at Coventry while Reading and Leeds took points off each other when a late Leeds equaliser produce a 1-1 draw between these two.

A 4-0 drubbing of Championship rivals Luton perhaps flattered the home side who looked at bit out of sorts in the first half despite leading at the interval after Phil Jagielka put the Blades one up after 34 minutes. "Jaggs" scored from close range after Paul Ifill's shot had been blocked.

United looked much improved in the second half and Chris Morgan doubled the lead four minutes after the break, heading home Alan Quinn's free-kick. Substitute Vincent Pericard scored after 71 minutes and Jagielka seized on a loose ball to add a fourth from 15 yards with only two minutes left.

The Blades opened up a twelve-point gap to third Watford who also won on the night but Neil Warnock was highly critical of his side's first half performance after the game and was particularly disappointed in the strike force. I wonder if Pericard and Webber might get an opportunity to start in the next game at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The game of the day in the Championship didn't disappoint as league leaders Sheffield United beat Crystal Palace 3-2 at Selhurst park.

The Blades retained the same starting line-up that beat Luton in midweek but Palace were without a number of key players notably Andrew Johnson who remains sidelined with injury.

United were lucky to escape from going a goal behind when Dougie Freedman hit the base of a post on thirteen minutes but the Blades responded two minutes later when Stephen Kabba set up Phil Jagielka to put United ahead. Michael Hughes turned in Marco Reich's cross to level on the stroke of half-time before Paul Ifill made it 2-1 to United in injury time of the opening period.

Early in the second half United were under the cosh but the match looked safe when former Eagle Neil Shipperley headed home a disputed third on 56 minutes. Palace players contested that the ball had failed to cross the goal line following a fumble by the Palace keeper although replays showed the referee's assistant who awarded the goal had made the correct decision. Dougie Freedman's late penalty gave Palace hope but United hung on to claim all three points despite a Marco Reich's last-gasp header that was cleared off the line by Bromby.

An eventful game that could have gone either way but great spirit from the Blades. A good performance for "Jaggs" who scored his third goal in two games and set up Ifill's goal. United and the rest of the Championship have a two week break due to another international weeked but the league table shows them in an almost unassailable position to claim at least one of the top two automatic promotion places.

United got off to the best possible start when David Unsworth gave the home side the lead on five minutes. But United looked out of sorts against an organised Millwall side who were keen to improve on the 4-0 drubbing that the Blades gave them last month at the New Den. When Millwall's Bruce Dyer gave the visitors the lead when he converted two goals either side of half-time it looked likely to be a bad day at the office for United but the Blades put pressure on the Lions' goal in closing stages of the second half and Webber forced the ball home from close range to give the Blades a point.

Chris Morgan was shown a straight red card in the last minute of the game after he seemed to lose his head as he first elbowed former Blade Carl Asaba and as the Millwall substitute forward fell to the ground the United captain appeared to stamp on him for could measure. Morgan is now likely to miss the Wednesday game and as captain he should set a better example to the rest of the team.

It was difficult to pin-point the source of United poorest home performance of the season though too many players seemed to have an off day and at the finish we were glad to take a point and keep the unbeaten home record intact.

The Blades made five changes from the disappointing draw with Millwall, two of which were enforced due to injury and suspension. Chris Morgan gained a three match banned following his sending off against Millwall while David Unsworth was left out of the trip to Molineux due to an injury sustained on Saturday.

In a tight game chances were at a premium, United's best opportunity came from a shot from Shipperley that the Wolves keeper saved.

Neil Warnock appeared to select a team that he felt would not get beat in this game and played with a five man midfield with three at the back to try to stifle the middle of the park. Clearly he views Wolves as the main threat outside the top two and although this draw means that the Blades have lost top spot with Reading beating Ipswich, a point at Molineux still looks like a decent result overall.

The Blades made just one change from the midweek draw at Wolves with Pericard coming into the side in place of Shipperley. Leicester came close to opening the scoring in the opening minutes when Johansson hit Kenny's crossbar with a header. United didn't seem to heed this early warning when they found themselves two goals down with goals for the Foxes from Hume on eleven minutes and Smith on the quarter hour mark.

Neil Warnock withdrew Gillespie at half time replacing him with Kabba who wasted little time before getting United back into the game with a goal on 52 minutes. As United chased the game they left themselves exposed at times and Kenny produced two saves from Hammond and Johansson as the home side tried to hit United on the break.

Kenny was unable to produce a third save to keep United in the game when Hammond sealed the points for Leicester with a goal on 74 minutes. When Hume made it four in the last minute when he seized on an error at the back by Blades substitute Short, United looked in danger of humiliation. However, there was still time for last gasp consolation goal for United when Short headed home from a corner.

After such a good start the season United have now only won two of their last eight games but you can only speculate how much this 4-2 defeat was influenced by the current situation. Warnock is due to celebrate his sixth anniversary at United next week but you wonder if this could be his last game in charge.

The Sheffield United board allowed Warnock the opportunity to talk to the struggling Premiership club but despite a meeting with the Pompey Chairman the Blades manager declined the offer. Warnock is believed to have turned down a deal worth three million pounds over three years but despite the increased speculation during the week that he would take up his new position with the south coast club, Warnock told the S.U.F.C. website that due to certain "politics" at Portsmouth he wasn't interested in moving.

Warnock's long-term situation at United is still no clearer as it seems that any extension to his current contract will not be reviewed until the end of the season.

For the game against Wednesday, Warnock's team selection looked an attacking one with Shipperley, Kabba and Webber lining up in a four, three, three formation. Early on this system almost bore fruit when Webber's cross from the by-line found Kabba just four yards out only for him to miss kick with the goal at his mercy. Kabba came close again minutes later when Kenny's long clearance found the Blades' leading striker who bore down on the advancing Weaver in the Wednesday goal. The Owls defence could only watch helplessly as Kabba poked the ball just beyond the far post.

On twenty-four minutes the Blades took advantage of the early dominance when Webber crossed again from the right, the ball found it's way to Quinn via a deflection and the former Owls midfielder found the back on the net from twelve yards out. As the ball crossed the line, the ball hit Shipperley who was standing in the goal. The Owls players appealed for offside but as the ball had already crossed the line the goal was given. Quinn's goal made history as he is now the only player to score for both clubs in Sheffield derby games.

Wednesday had little response to United but could have equalised on the stroke of half-time when Murphy's shot went a yard wide with Kenny caught flat footed on his line.

In the second half the away side had their moments. O'Brian hit a shot from distance that went just wide and Chris Brunt's effort from a free kick made Kenny save low to his right. Wednesday seemed to shade the amount of possession after the interval but their lack of cutting edge up front was clear to all.

Perhaps not the most convincing win for United but after a week of speculation on Neil Warnock's future we are just happy to get three points and have the bragging rights for a month or two until the clubs meet again in the return game in February.

Chris Armstrong was a surprise inclusion in United's starting line up and made an impressive first appearance having been out with a long-term knee injury that at one stage threatened his footballing career. United went ahead on the half hour mark when Shipperley's drive from the edge of the box found the back of the net. Five minutes later United doubled their lead when Shipperley linked up well with Webber who gave the home side a much-deserved two-goal lead.

Shipperley's goal ten minutes from time confirmed United's victory to send the home fans home happy.

Outstanding performance from Shipperley with Webber giving him good support, while Short and Bromby impressed at the heart of the Blades' defence. With twenty-three games completed at the half way stage of the season Reading and United look odds on to take the two automatic promotion places but we won't take anything for granted.

In the opening period Preston had opportunities to go ahead in the first twenty minutes but couldn't make the breakthrough while United's Webber had a deflected shot that went just wide and Jagielka produced a curling left foot drive from the edge of the box that the Preston keeper easily collected.

In the second half "Jaggs" should have put the visitors ahead when he found himself unmarked in the box only to lash a volley over the top from twelve yards.

With two minutes on the clock the Blades were denied a late penalty claim when Jagielka was clearly brought down in the box but the referee appeared to bottle it and waved away the visitors' appeals.

After the game both managers seemed relatively happy with a point but Warnock showed restrained frustration over the referee's decision not to award the penalty.

Two days before Christmas Blades legend Brian Deane signed for the club for a third time. Deane who gained cult status with the Blades particularly during his first spell at Bramall Lane had been training with the Blades during the week before Christmas and agreed to sign a deal until the end of the season. Deane has recently returned to England after an unsuccessful spell with Australian club Perth Glory.

It all looked business as usual in this Boxing Day fixture when Phil Jagielka put United into the lead midway through the first half, but Norwich hit back before half time when Paul McVeigh scored to make it one each.

Dean Ashton put the visitors ahead when United's back four appeared to stop while looking for an off-side flag that didn't materialise. Ashton took full advantage when he put the ball passed an exposed Kenny.

Kenny was largely to blame for the visitors' third goal when he raced from his goal to try to incept a through ball down the Norwich left wing. Kenny always looked second favourite to reach the ball first and was caught in no man's land. The ball eventually fell to Dean Ashton who fired the ball goal bound, but bizarrely Morgan and Unsworth standing in the unguarded goal appeared to get in each other way and Unsworth headed the ball into his own goal.

United have the opportunity to put this game very quickly behind them as the travel to the south coast to play Southampton on the 28th.

Sheffield United's first every league visit to Southampton's St. Mary's ground saw the Blades take a narrow 1-0 victory.

The Blades made three changes from the defeat on Boxing Day with Kozluk, Tonge and Quinn missing out in favour of Geary, Armstrong and Kabba.

In a goalless first half chances were few and far between though Southampton had the greater amount of possession with Nigel Quashie looking impressive at the heart of the Saints' midfield.

United began the second half looking more positive and were quickly rewarded on 54 minutes when Webber crossed from the right to find Shipperley who timed his run into the box and struck home. On 78 minutes the home side came close to an equaliser when Blackstock headed wide from two yards out.

A great response from the Blades after a disappointing defeat on Boxing Day. Good performances from Webber and the defence who did well to claim a clean sheet.

United ended 2005 with a home victory over Stoke City but the Blades left it late in the day as Morgan headed home the winner in the 90th minute to seal all three points.

The visitors began brightly with wide men Luke Chadwick and Paul Gallagher looking threatening. Chadwick set up Gallagher who's shot hit his team mate Bangoura, who then brought a save from Kenny. Then on the quarter-hour mark Chadwick brought another save from Kenny.

United took the lead on 19 minutes when an Unsworth free-kick from the right was cleared only as far as Montgomery who fired home from the edge of the box. The goal settled United and they had further opportunities to increase their lead first from Quinn and then "Monty" who both drove wide of the target.

Stoke equalised just short of the hour mark when Bangoura cut in from the right to set up Chadwick. His shot was charged down, but the ball fell for Sidibe who kept his cool to finish passed Kenny.

Tonge who came off the subs bench looked impressive. The graduate from the Blades academy has looked in recent times a shadow of the player who broke into the side two or three years ago, so it was good to see him showing some good form.

Both sides had chances to win in the latter stage of the game. Sidibe headed wide from a corner while the home side put relentless pressure on the Stoke goal. First Quinn set up Shipperley who drove high over the top and in dying moments of the game following a corner, Jagielka crossed to Morgan who headed home.

There was still time for the visitors to mount an attack from a corner. Sigurdsson headed the ball goal bound but man of the match Derek Geary was on hand at the back post to clear.

A great way to finish 2005 on a high, let's hope 2006 see us back the Premiership.

The Blades completed their Christmas/New Year fixtures with a 3-1 victory over Hull City.

In an entertaining first half both teams had a string of chances and the home side took the lead midway through the opening period when Jason Price curled a left foot curling effort past Kenny. The Blades equalised on the half hour through Paul Ifill when his deflected shot beat the Tigers keeper. United took the lead one minute from the interval when David Unsworth played a fifty yard pass into the feet of Danny Webber and the former Watford striker completed the move by hitting the back of the City net.

United continued to threaten the Hull goal after the break and Phil Jagielka hit a post in the opening exchanges. Just short of the hour mark a goal from Chris Armstrong sealed the points for United.

An interesting comparison shows how Leeds United have closed the gap on the Blades. At the beginning of November the Blades had a seventeen point lead over their Yorkshire rivals but now, if Leeds should win their game in hand, they could close within eight points on Neil Warnock's side. So it's still all to play for.

Sheffield United crashed out of the F.A. Cup at the hands of Colchester. Following an exhausting Christmas and New Year programme Neil Warnock fielded some of his squad players while resting key players such as Bromby, Webber and Shipperley. This obviously backfired as the Blades were beaten 2-1 by the League One outfit.

The Blades opened the scoring after just four minutes when Kabba netted his 10th goal of the season. Kabba was on hand to net Paul Ifill's thunderous shot that rebounded off the crossbar. Despite Kabba going close again, the visitors mounted a number of attacks on United's goal without success but shortly before the interval Danns converted a much-deserved equaliser.

After the interval the visitors were forced into making a substitution when Garcia was withdrawn with a hamstring injury and Williams entered the fray. Williams was on hand to claim what turn out to be the winner when he glanced home Yeates' cross from a corner.

Nothing should be taken away from Colchester, as they clearly deserved their place in the next round but this was a much-weakened Blades' side. I believe that Neil Warnock was not too upset by being knocked out of this competition while clichés of concentrating on the league come to mind. With United 2-1 down with around 15 minutes to go he brought off leading striker Kabba to be replaced by Montgomery, hardly a move to give you a chance of an equaliser.

However I'm sure, like me, Neil would have been very disappointed by the manner of this defeat. This game was an opportunity for a number of fringe players to push for a place in the first team but instead we were given performances well below par. Perhaps it is a little harsh to blame this defeat on one player but Lilian Nalis's performance typified the whole of the team's display. I would be very surprised if Nalis was given another game for United again and in my opinion he should be put on the transfer list on Monday morning.

The good news for United is that they only have two more games to play this mouth while Leeds have a Cup replay with Wigan and possibly another game in the next round. I hope Neil and the boys use the time to re-focus and recharge the batteries for the promotion run in. Come May, if we do finally get our place back in the top flight, a third round defeat in the cup will be quickly forgotten.

The Blades gained a point at Portman Road when a 77th minute equaliser from Danny Webber kept United on course in their bid for promotion.

During the week Neil Warnock took the advantage of the open transfer window by releasing Lilian Nalis who moved on to Plymouth while signing Garry Flitcroft on a free transfer from Blackburn. The 33-year old midfielder who has had Premiership experience with both Manchester City and Rovers will add strength and competition to the Blades' midfield. Flitcroft also has experience at Championship level as he enjoyed promotion to the Premiership as captain with Blackburn.

For the game at Ipswich, United fielded the same side that beat Hull 3-1 eleven days ago with Flitcroft taking a place on the bench. The Blades have a poor record at Portman Road as they have not won there since 1975 and they didn't look as though they were going to break the trend when they found themselves 1-0 down nine minutes into the second half. Ipswich's Jimmy Juan hit a powerful twenty five-yard free kick that rebounded into Kenny's goal via the underside of the bar.

Midway through the second half Kabba came on for Iffill but almost immediately United came close to going two down when Danny Haynes found himself one-on-one with Kenny but the Ipswich striker put the ball wide of the target.

The Blades equalised on 77 minutes when a through ball from Michael Tonge found Danny Webber who rounded the Ipswich keeper and found the back of the Ipswich goal.

In the last minute of the game Stephen Kabba came close to pinching a winner when a counter attack which began with a clearance from Kenny found the Blades' leading scorer who beat the Ipswich defence but couldn't find the goal as his effort from eight yards missed the target by inches.

Not the best performance from United so we should be happy with a point particularly as third place Leeds were beaten 2-1 by struggling Brighton. Meanwhile, Reading extended their lead at the top to nine points over the Blades with a 2-0 win at home to Coventry.

With promotion rivals Crystal Palace and Reading drawing 1-1 in a Friday night encounter and taking points off each other, Sheffield United were keen to steal a march on their rivals and a bumper Bramall Lane crowd were rewarded a with a crucial 3-1 win.

With the home support enlarged to more than 27,000 fans after United had dropped their entrance prices for the visit of struggling Brighton and those who turned out witnessed Brian Deane make a welcome return. Deane, who enjoys cult status at Bramall Lane following his two previous spells with the Blades, came on for the last ten minutes and came close to scoring after his header from an Armstrong cross was saved by the Brighton keeper Kuipers.

After a tight first half United had to wait until eight minutes after the break before Phil Jagielka hooked home the opening goal. Paul Ifill then robbed Joel Lynch after 63 minutes to clip a clever finish over Brighton keeper Michel Kuipers. Steve Kabba's pass set up Michael Tonge for the Blades' third 16 minutes from time before Colin Kazim-Richards pulled one back for Brighton.

This match was a potential banana skin for United, a fixture that they lost year and put a major dent into last seasons promotion aspirations. Perhaps this shows the difference in class this time around.

United have no game next Saturday having been knocked out of the F.A. Cup, so they have a break until they visit Derby on February 1st. In recent seasons the month of February has often been a difficult time for United. This year will also be a test as Watford and Reading visit the Lane in February plus the Blades have a sometimes-unappreciable trip to Hillsborough on the 18th.

With just days remaining before the January transfer window closed, it appeared that Neil Warnock finally got his man when he secured the signature of Ade Akinbiyi for a record Blades purchase that could rise to 1.75 million pounds. Warnock tried to sign the 31-year striker early last year only for Akinbiyi to choose to go to Burnley and it was rumoured that Warnock also tried to tempt him away from Turf Moor during last summer's transfer window. After having two offers turned down in the middle of the month, Burnley finally agreed to release Ade while making a profit that could rise to 1 million pounds in less than twelve months.

Speculation of Akinbiyi's transfer to Bramall Lane has been met with mixed views from United fans as Ade has had a number of big money transfers in the past that have been less than successful. However, the big striker is one of the Championship's leading goal scorers weighing with 12 league goals for Burnley so if he can continue his form with United and help to ensure the club's promotion to the Premiership, 1.75 million may be a price well worth paying. Ade should also bring power and strength to the Blades frontline while his effort and work rate, I'm sure, will soon win over some of his doubters. Neil Warnock has also brought in Bruce Dyer on a free transfer from Stoke City which will add further cover to the Blades strike force.

Derby suffered the same fate as the Blades on Saturday by being knocked out of the F.A. Cup by Colchester. Their fourth round defeat by the League One leaders appears to be the last straw for the Derby Board as manager Phil Brown was sacked 48 hours before this encounter with the Blades. Derby who have found themselves in the bottom half of the Championship appointed academy coach Terry Westley as caretaker manager, with former Blade Paul Peschisolido acting as his assistant.

Ade Akinbiyi, making his debut for United, got off to the best possible start when he put home a cross Paul Ifill on twelve minutes. Although Derby had much of the possession in the opening period they were unable to find an equaliser but they came close when Michael Johnson's backward header forced a good save from Kenny two minutes before the interval.

On 57 minutes the Rams faced an uphill battle when Michael Johnson was shown a straight red card following a foul on Ifill and events continued to go against the home side when a Tommy Smith penalty was saved by Kenny after Armstrong was adjudged to have handled inside the box with little more than ten minutes on the clock.

Not the best performance from United but three very valuable points as they opened a fourteen point gap to Leeds in third place.

Sheffield United went down 4-1 in their heaviest defeat of the season against promotion rivals Watford but the game turned on an early sending off when David Unsworth was dismissed having raised a hand against Watford's Chris Eagles. Unsworth was on his backside with the ball tangled between his legs when Eagles tried to tackle him. During the melee Unsworth appeared to feel that Eagles' attempt to get the ball was over the top and the Blades full-back reacted by pushing his hand into Eagles' face giving the referee little option but to show the red card. Sheffield United went down 4-1 in their heaviest defeat of the season against promotion rivals Watford but the game turned on an early sending off when David Unsworth was dismissed having raised a hand against Watford's Chris Eagles. Unsworth was on his backside with the ball tangled between his legs when Eagles tried to tackle him. During the melee Unsworth appeared to feel that Eagles' attempt to get the ball was over the top and the Blades full-back reacted by pushing his hand into Eagles' face giving the referee little option but to show the red card.

Watford knew this was a game they needed to win if they have any thoughts of automatic promotion and they showed their intent when Henderson's cross was met by Eagles head to put the visitors one up with less than six minutes on the clock. United weathered the storm, including the incident which saw Unsworth given his matching orders and came close to levelling when Tonge forced a good save from the Watford keeper and then Jagielka went close with a header which the keeper held again. Eagles went close to doubling Watford's lead on the stroke of half time when his deflected shot hit Kenny's crossbar.

Eagles failed to appear in the second half. Having picked up a booking in the opening half, Watford boss Adrian Boothroyd took him off possibly fearing that Eagles may suffer the fate of a weak referee who may have been tempted to even the numbers up.

In the opening moments of the second half United found themselves two down when Marlon King seized on an error from Bromby and fired home with a low drive. Paul Ifill pulled one back for United on the hour mark and it appeared that the Blades were mounting a possible revival but King hadn't read the script and struck again on 69 minutes. Late in the game Leigh Bromby was guilty of another error when failed to clear and Hameur Bouazza reacted to drive home from a tight angle.

Bromby has been United's most consistent player this season but you have to point the finger at him for two of the goals which greatly influenced the outcome of the game. United were always chasing the game and often looked in danger of being caught at the back, however you cannot legislate for individual defensive errors or the incident involving Unsworth who should have known better.

Watford go third eleven points behind United, while Leeds are fourth and level on points with Watford with a game in hand.

United made three enforced changes from the Watford game with Unsworth and Geary out through suspension while Tonge was reported to be out due to illness. Quinn, Morgan and Flitcroft came into the side with Armstrong and Bromby moving to the full back positions with the Blades playing a four-three-three formation.

Historically Home Park is an unhappy hunting ground for the Blades and this time they faced a Plymouth side that featured former Blades Lillian Nalis with Vincent Pericard on Argyle's subs bench.

United started brightly possibly keen to make amends for their crushing defeat by Watford on Monday night and Morgan went close in the opening moments with an overhead kick but the opening period soon descended into a largely scrappy affair.

United came under some early pressure in the second half and a cross shot from Norris gave the Blades' defence problems. Pericard made his debut from the bench for the home side and immediately produced a snap shot volley from an acute angle that went over the top of Kenny's goal.

Neil Warnock completed his third substitution on 75 minutes with Montgomery joining fellow subs Shipperley and Gillespie. With ten minutes left Akinbiyi found himself one-on-one with the Plymouth keeper but shot wide of the target then moments later Ifill came close with a drive that found the side netting. Late in the game United came under increasing pressure but they defended well while "Monty" almost pinched all three points with the last kick of the game but the Plymouth keeper saved.

A point gained and a clean sheet but Watford hit four again, this time with a 4-0 victory over Coventry and cut the gap to United to nine points. Leeds could only match the Blades result with a 0-0 draw at Derby.