United went down to their first defeat of the season as Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov scored one goal and set up the second for Spurs as United went down 2-0.

United were keen to build on their point gained at home to Liverpool on Saturday with this their first of three early season visits to the capital. Chris Short who pulled out with a late thigh strain for the Liverpool game remained on the treatment table. The veteran centre back who was persuaded by Neil Warnock not to hang up his boots this summer was disappointed to miss out on the early season action.

On the eve on the Spurs game Phil Jagielka signed a new three-year contract. "Jaggs" was linked with a move away from Bramall Lane at the start of last season when Wigan were reported to have offered United four million pounds for his services. With Jagielka's contract running out next summer, the club will be relieved to have re-signed the influential defender/midfielder.

Neil Warnock was forced into making three changes from Saturday with Hulse and Geary both picking goin strains while Paul Ifill reported sick on the morning of the game. Into the team came Akinbiyi, Gillespie and summer recruit from Manchester City David Sommeil who made his debut for the Blades.

Tottenham were much improved last season just missing out on Champions League qualification finishing in fifth place. They were hoping to bounce back immediately following their defeat at Bolton on the opening day and they wasted little time when Aaron Lennon produced a cross from the right and Dimitar Berbatov was on hand to score on just seven minutes.

In the seventeenth minute United found themselves with a mountain to climb when they conceded a second when Berbatov headed into the path of Jermaine Jenas who hit a right foot effort past Kenny from six yards.

On the half hour Keane linked up well with Berbatov who brought out a good save from Kenny. With the home side dominating, United were relieved to hear the half time whistle and restrict Spurs to just a two goal lead.

Neil Warnock rang the changes on the hour mark giving a debut to striker Christian Nade a summer signing from French club Troyes and Nick Montgomery also made an appearance from the subs bench. Although Keane and Lennon continued to probe and give United problems, the Blades dug in had their moments in the second half. Tonge had in effort that went wide of the mark following a corner for the visitors on 68 minutes.

Tottenham substitute Jermain Defoe had two efforts which Kenny saved on each occasions and late in the game United's third substitute Alan Quinn took a free kick which went narrowly wide of Robinson's goal from 25 yards. There was still time for another effort from the home side when Edgar Davids drilled a left-foot shot which Kenny tipped over the top of United's goal.

My view in summary: Disappointing to be two down with little more than a quarter of an hour on the clock. However, United could have capitulated completely and can take some credit from their second half performance. The Blades' steep learning curved continues with another visit to the capital against Fulham on Saturday.

Neil Warnock made a number of changes from the midweek defeat at Spurs with Jagielka moving to centre back and Rob Hulse returning to the starting line-up having recovered from a groin strain while Nick Montgomery and Mikele Leigertwood made their first starts of the season. Fulham's Michael Brown faced his former club for the first time since his departure from Bramall Lane two and a half years ago, although he was lucky to be playing having got away with a poor tackle against Manchester United's Ryan Giggs last week that should have seen him sent off and suspended for the game against Neil Warnock's team.

The Blades manager was keen not to repeat the early goal rush that his team had to contend with at Spurs in the week and for much of the first half the United side held their own. Although Jimmy Bullard threatened early on when the Fulham summer signing from Wigan had 25 yard effort which Kenny saved on eight minutes and midway through the opening period Collins John got on the end of a long clearance and struck the woodwork with a shot from 20 yards.

As half time beckoned Chris Morgan committed a foul on Brian McBride just outside the box and Bullard was involved again when he took the resulting free kick finding the top-left of the United goal with a spectacular effort.

United had an early opportunity in the second half when Rob Hulse produced an overhead kick from the middle of the penalty area that missed to the left of the Fulham goal.

The Blades best opportunity came on 75 minutes when substitutes Quinn and Nade linked up well and Quinn produced a cross that was cleared only as far as Leigertwood who volleyed right-footed and brought out a fingertip save from the Fulham keeper Niemi. United kept the pressure on from a corner and again from a Bromby long throw but Fulham countered and McBride should have scored for the home side when he failed to covert after he found himself one-on-one with the United Keeper.

United encamped in the Fulham half in the dying moments of the game but were unable to create enough in front of goal to find an eqauliser.

My view in summary: It was never going to be an easy start to the season but the Blades camp now has a two week break to reflect and will be keen to improve with two home games to come.

A tale of three penalties would best describe the action at Bramall lane as Sheffield United and Blackburn Rovers played out a goalless draw but Paddy Kenny saved a penalty for the home side while Brad Friedel saved two penalties for the visitors in a dramatic second half.

Injuries in defence meant that Sheffield United started with Phil Jagielka at centre-back while the Blades' squad included young striker Colin Kazim-Richards who joined from Brighton for £150,000 on transfer deadline day at the end of August.

Hulse, scorer of the Blades' only goal this season in the 1-1 opening-day draw at home to Liverpool, should have netted on sixteen minutes when he beat the visitors' offside trap and volleyed over from just inside the box.

Just before the interval United claimed a penalty when Hulse was challenged in the area by Robbie Savage while Neil Warnock and all Blades fans were left fuming as referee Mike Dean waved away the appeals.

On seventy minutes the referee award a penalty to Rovers after Unsworth was adjudged to have fouled McCarthy in the box but Paddy Kenny came to United's rescue saving Neill's spot kick to his left. However the drama wasn't over as referee Dean evened up the penalty score when he adjudged that Hulse had his shirt tugged by Zurab Khizanishvili in the 77th minute, only for Friedel to deny Unsworth by saving to his right.

With just four minutes left on the clock the referee's assistant ruled that Neill handled awarding a second penalty of the afternoon to the home side. This time Hulse stepped up to the spot but Friedel produced another miraculous save this time low down to his left.

United also had chances to win the game in open play in the second half when both Tonge and Leigertwood brought out good saves from the Blackburn keeper and again when Tonge found himself unmarked in the box only to head wide of the target.

There was still time for United to clinch all three points in the dying seconds of the game but the Blackburn keeper saved again with his legs from Hulse from close range.

My view in summary: Having had two penalties saved it felt like two points dropped, though it could have been a different outcome if Kenny hadn't saved the first penalty. After viewing the televison replays all three penalty awards looked harsh so perhaps justice was done.

Thanks once again to old friend Alan Palfreyman who treated me and Dennis to another great V.I.P. day at the Lane. Blades ReUnited

This game brought together the top two from last season's Championship. United had failed to beat the Berkshire side in the last seven encounters as Steve Coppell's side appeared to have the sign over the Blades during the last few seasons.

United found themselves a goal down within just seventeen seconds when Kevin Doyle found a way through the home side's defences and fired past the Blades keeper Bennett.

The Royals looked in danger of overrunning United and came close to doubling their lead first when Seol unleashed a fierce right-foot shot that Bennett turned aside. Then from James Harper who's right-foot drive crashed off the right-hand post before United scrambled clear the rebound.

On twenty-four minutes visitors went two up when Seol curled the ball home from the edge of the box leaving United had a mountain to climb.

With Paddy Kenny out through a groin injury Ian Bennett proved to be a worthy replacement making two saves early in the second half. With United now fielding two second half substitutes Quinn and Gillespie they looked greatly improved and when Hulse forced the ball home from a tight angle it looked like United might pinch a point. However the poor first half performance proved to be too much to recover from and Reading held out to take all three points.

My View in Summary: With Michael Tonge out through an ankle injury Neil Warnock had a selection dilemma. Bring in Alan Quinn as a straight swap for Tonge or bring Jagielka out of the back four and select Bromby to play in his place in defence. As the Blades have a poor recent record against Reading I think Neil was keen to keep things tight and use "Jaggs" to partner Leigertwood in centre midfield. With United conceding a goal within the first minute we were always chasing the game but had little attacking flair from midfield to turn the game or to give the strikers service and support. When Quinn and Gillespie came on at the start of the second half United looked more likely to create things but the game was already gone by this time.

What also greatly concerned me was the way Reading cut through United's defence so easily at times. You could argue that "Jaggs" would be better used in defence but you worry how we'll cope against the pace of Henry against Arsenal next week and the likes of Rooney and co. to come later.

Before the interval United goalkeeper Ian Bennett saved brilliantly to deny Andy Bishop from close-range. After the break Bennett came into his own, tipping away a Daryl Taylor shot and smothering another Bishop effort, this time a point-blank flick.

Neil Warnock Interview: Bury

The Blades found themselves on the wrong end of a 3-0 score line but perhaps this didn't tell the whole story as United defended well for 65 minutes untill Gallas opened the scoring for the home side. As so often happens, one goal brings two more as the Gunners went further ahead through a Jagielka own goal moments later and then Thierry Henry sealed the points with a third goal on 80 minutes.

The game at Arsenal's new Emirates Stadium represented a milestone for Blades manager Neil Warnock being his 1,000th managerial game. Neil began his career at non-league Gainsborough and his achievements include gaining promotion to Football League with Scarborough, promotion via the play-offs to the old First Division in the early nineties with Notts County and more recently leading Sheffield United back to the Premiership.

Neil will need all his experience to turn around an indifferent start to this campaign with Reading's victory at Bramall Lane overshadowing preparations for the trip to Arsenal. The manager rang the changes replacing five players from the team that started against Reading. Centre-back and club captain Chris Morgan didn't even travel to the capital while Davis, Gillespie, Wright, Geary and Kazim-Richards all came into the side. Steven Kabba looks close to recovering from a saga of injuries that has dogged him for the last couple of seasons as the striker took a place on the bench.

United seemed to settle to their task early on and Chris Armstrong produced a 25-yard free-kick that was saved by Jens Lehmann. But soon Arsenal got into their stride and forced a brilliant stop from Blades keeper Ian Bennett to deny Henry on 14 minutes.

United thought they had scored towards the end of the first half when Mikele Leigertwood lashed in a stunning half-volley from the edge of the area after the ball dropped following a corner. However, the whistle had already been blown because of dangerous play against Hulse, for an attempted scissors-kick in the six-yard box.

Despite United's defensive efforts the home side went ahead on 65 minutes when Henry chipped the ball into the area for Fabregas, who teed up Gallas and the former Chelsea defender volleyed past Bennett.

As so often happens, one goal brings two more as the Gunners went further ahead through a Jagielka own goal moments later and then Thierry Henry sealed the points with a third goal on 80 minutes

Lehmann produced a fine save at the far post in stoppage time to deny substitute Steven Kabba a consolation goal in front of the massed ranks of travelling United supporters.

My view in summary. Neil Warnock's team selection worked for over two thirds of the game but perhaps against such quality opposition it was always a big ask to hold out for 90 minutes. United are still looking for their first point and first goal away from home which is a worry but United can take some credit from this game despite the score line.

My view in summary. I missed the game due to being on holiday in Turkey but had a good night celebrating the win after being text the details of Jaggs' winner.

Sheffield United pulled themselves out of the relegation zone with their first away point of the Premiership season.

For the first time this season Neil Warnock named an unchanged side, keeping faith with the team that beat Middlesbrough two weeks ago. United lined up against Manchester City with a five man midfield that included Alan Quinn who was given a free role giving support to lone striker Rob Hulse.

The Blades produced a creditable performances as the held their own for much of the game and came close to taking all three points when Rob Hulse's overhead kick rattled the home side's crossbar just before the half time interval.

My view in summary: Good point away from home, it's important that United got a good result on the back of the win against Middlesbrough. A clean sheet gives the defence confidence but with just four goals this season, United are now the lowest scorers in the division.

United's recent revival came to an end at Goodison Park after they found themselves two goals down and reduced to ten men on the half hour mark. First Arteta put the home side one up on twelve minutes then James Beattie doubled Everton's lead from the spot after Claude Davis saw red after bringing down Andrew Johnson in the box.

For the third game in a row Neil Warnock named an unchanged side after Davis (knee) came through a late fitness test. United started brightly enough but Everton's first attack of note produced the opener when Phil Neville crossed for Mikel Arteta who headed home from six yards.

On the half hour mark Andrew Johnson made a run into United's box only to be fouled by United's Claude Davis. With the Jamaican defender being adjudged to be the last man the referee pointed to the spot and showed a red card. Beattie made sure from the penalty kick.

Despite what looked an impossible task for the Blades, the ten man away side produced three good chances in the remaining minutes of the half. First substitutes Chris Morgan came close with a header from a Gillespie free kick, then on 43 minutes Kazim-Richards deflected a Rob Hulse header goalwards, and Tim Howard made an instinctive block to keep out the effort. A minute later Hulse got away on the left and pulled an effort across goal and inches wide of the far post. On the stroke of half time Everton's Simon Davies set up Johnson, who drilled a shot against the woodwork with Kenny beaten.

Early in the second half the Blades came close again to getting back into the game when a shot by Mikele Leigertwood from the right side of penalty area went wide of the target.

On the hour Neil Warnock showed his intensions by bringing on forwards Danny Webber and Stephen Kabba. The ten men clearly upped their game and on 69 minutes a header by Rob Hulse for United went just over Howard's bar.

With less than ten minutes on the clock Danny Webber forced Tim Howard to save with his feet from an effort from 12 yards and moments later Mikele Leigertwood, becoming increasing influential, produced a long range volley that went wide.

After a great effort by United in the second half Everton came close to extending their advantage late in the game when a James McFadden header was tipped round a post by Paddy Kenny.

My view in summary: United once again have produced another good second half from a losing position. It is perhaps easy to say but Neil and the team need to take the game a little more to the opposition instead of making improvements during the course of the game after the match has got away from them.

Having viewed the Match of the Day footage of the game, Everton's first goal shouldn't have stood as Johnson clearly pushed Claude Davis in the back as Neville crossed for Arteta . The penalty decision looked harsh and no wonder Neil Warnock was incensed by Dermott Gallagher's decision as Davis made little or no contact with Johnson. Late in the game Bromby crossed under pressure from a bad tackle from an Everton defender. Leigh stayed on his feet when others may have gone down gaining a penalty in favour of United.

Two goals either side of half time was enough for the Premiership Champions to seal all three points at Bramall Lane although the Blades put up another spirited performance and things could perhaps have been different if Danny Webber could have converted a spot kick early in the first period. However, Henrique Hilario had little difficulty in saving Webber's poorly taken penalty after Didier Drogba was adjudged to have fouled Claude Davis on 17 minutes.

The week's preparation for the Chelsea encounter was over shadowed by the Blades exit of the Carling Cup at the Lane on Tuesday night at the hands of Birmingham City. Neil Warnock made eleven changes from the Everton game and despite going one up through Ade Akinbiyi and dominating much of the first half, Steve Bruce's side equalised just short of half time through a freak goal when a Chris Morgan's clearance hit DJ Campbell and fortuitously looped over Ian Bennett. City took charge in the second half going 3-1 up with goals from Bendtner and Jerome. Montgomery gave the Blades a lifeline with an 85th minute goal but Larsson put the game beyond doubt making it 4-2 to the Blues on 90 minutes.

United also made the papers for the wrong reasons during the week when it was reported on Friday that team-mates Ade Akinbiyi and Claude Davis had been involved in a training ground bust up and that Davis had used (or threatened to use) a razor blade against the journeyman striker. The row is thought to have stemmed from a comment Akinbiyi made towards the Jamaican defender following Davis' sending-off against Everton in their 2-0 defeat at Goodison last Saturday.

This is the second training ground incident that Akinbiyi has allegedly been involved in. Last season it had been rumoured the he had been involved in "a training ground disagreement" with Geoff Horsfield. Horsfield is now with Leeds. These type of incidents always makes good copy particularly with this recent altercation when the tabloid press are able lead with a headline "Razor Blades". The club announced that Akinbiyi and Davis have settled their differences and stated that no razors or blades of any kind were involved. I suspect that this reported bust up was little more than a storm in the proverbial teacup.

The Blades showed just one change from the side that lost at Goodison last week with Webber coming into the side in place of Kazim-Richards. For the opening minutes Chelsea seemed to camp in the Blades' penalty area and forced a number of corners but United weathered the opening exchanges and put up a spirited performance for much of the first half. On the quarter hour United had penalty claim turned down when Carvalho seemed to grab Hulse by the neck but moments later United were rewarded for their efforts when Drogba fouled Davis in the middle of the box. Danny Webber stepped up only to hit a poorly placed strike that Henrique Hilario saved with ease.

As United looked to take Chelsea to the interval at 0-0 Frank Lampard headed goal bound from six yards and Kenny produced a brilliant reaction save but moments later Lampard scored after striking at free kick from 30 yards which beat the Blades wall and seemed to deceive Kenny with a bad bounce before going into the net.

Four minutes after the break the visitors doubled their lead when Lampard crossed from the left and Michael Ballack made a late run on to the back post and headed home from close range in front of the Shoreham Street Kop.

For the remainder of the game with perhaps Tuesday's visit to Barcelona on their minds, Chelsea rarely got out of third gear. Though Ballack came close to making it three with an effort that went over Kenny's bar while Gillespie went close for United when he hit a dipping effort that went just of the over the bar.

My view in summary: Before the game I feared the worse and I was concerned that a four of five nil drubbing could also badly affect the team in the next few games. However, a 2-0 defeat to arguably one of the best teams in Europe is no disgrace. For half an hour in the first half United took the game to Chelsea and forced a penalty which sadly was not converted. Who knows how the game may have gone if Webber could have scored from the spot.

The Blades registered their first away win and their first away goal of the campaign when Danny Webber headed home on 68 minutes. The victory was a vital one as the three points gained at St. James's lifted the Blades out of the bottom three.

United showed three changes from the Chelsea game with Kozluk, Geary and Montgomery coming in for the injured Bromby, Armstrong and Tonge. Webber was announced fit after he had not trained much during the week due to a stomach virus.

The Blades started brightly and for the first twenty minutes looked like the home side as the Magpies looked out of sorts. United had an early chance when Webber made a run down the right but Stephen Carr did just enough to clear as Rob Hulse tried to get on the end of the cross.

Newcastle had their best chance of the game on the half hour mark when a cross/shot from N'Zogbia seemed to deceive Kenny and the Blades keeper was relieved to see the ball hit the bar and go over the top.

As the whistle blew for half time, the home crowd's frustration was very apparent as the players made for the dressing rooms the home team were met with a chorus of boos.

Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder replaced N'Zogbia and Butt at half time with Emre and Nolberto Solano and United had to weather a brief spell from the home side with some resolute defending. Craig Moore was lucky to stay on the pitch when he flattened Hulse off the ball, unseen by referee Steve Bennett only yards away.

On the hour mark with United gaining in confidence they put together a good move which led to Mikele Leigertwood producing a 25 yards shot that went just over the top of Harper's goal. United took a deserved lead midway through the second half when Montgomery made a run from midfield and then produced an angled cross that found an unmarked Webber who delivered a controlled headed that beat Harper in the Newcastle goal.

United came close to putting the result beyond doubt when Alan Quinn beat the Magpies off side trap and broke clear and beat the advancing keeper only to hit the outside of the upright.

My view in summary: Much needed and much deserved three points for the Blades. A great team performance so perhaps it would be unfair to single anyone out but Davis was outstanding.

The Blades came back from two goals down to take a hard earned point against Bolton. Diouf put the visitors one up after 34 minutes and when Kevin Davies doubled the lead on the hour, Bolton looked like they were on their way to comfortable win.

United had other ideas though when Leigertwood supplied a cross for Hulse who headed home on 70 minutes then three minutes later Kazim-Richards equalised for the Blades when he curled the ball home from the right wing after Jaaskelainen failed to clear.

Bolton pressed for the winner in late in the game and Nolan should gave scored when he found himself unmarked six-yards out only to head tamely into Kenny's hands. Then Kenny produced a world class save when Abdoulaye Faye fired goal bound but the Blades keeper saved low to his right.

My view in summary: Bolton looked in control for most of the game but United's never say die attitude shone through to earn them a point. The introduction of Christian Nade midway through the second half gave United more attacking options and he was involved in both goals.

In United's last home game against Chelsea Paddy Kenny came under criticism for conceding a goal after misjudging Frank Lampard's free kick and this week Paddy was left out of Ireland's squad. But he did himself a lot of good against Bolton when he made a good save from Idan Tal at the end of the first half and the save that he produced against Faye late in the game was top draw.

Sheffield United gave the Premiership leaders a bit of a scare when Keith Gillespie put the Blades one up after 13 minutes. Wayne Rooney equalised on 30 minutes and the Blades held out until 75 minutes when Rooney scored his second of the afternoon to take the points.

A decision on the fitness of both Danny Webber and Claude Davis wasn't made until the morning of the game. Webber suffered a minor hamstring strain in training at the start of the week but a scan on Wednesday showed no tear and the Blades striker resumed light training on Thursday. Davis was named in Neil Warnock's side following a slight groin strain last weekend but Webber failed to recover and must have been disappointed to miss the chance to play against his former club. Paddy Kenny was also available despite having stitches in his eyebrow following a much-documented "incident" in the early hours of Monday morning.

The Blades took the lead on 13 minutes after Rio Ferdinand failed to clear his lines wide on the right and Geary crossed for Gillespie to direct a perfect header back across Edwin van der Sar from eight yards.

Rooney levelled on the half hour when he found the net from a Gary Neville cross. The Blades defended doggedly until the 75th minute when Rooney netted again this time from a Patrice Evra cross. There was still time for the visitors to hit the crossbar late in the game and Cristiano Ronaldo screwed the ball over the top from just three yards with the goal at his mercy.

My view: For much of the game Man. Utd dominated and the Blades seemed to be under siege. But it was another spirited performance so let's hope we can take something from this game. Come the final shake up next May it's not how we perform against Man U and Chelsea that matters, it's how we perform against the likes of West Ham, Watford and Charlton that will determine whether the Blades survive in this division. The next three games are against West Ham, Watford (away) and Charlton (home).

The Blades' poor away form continued when Hayden Mullins' 36th minute winner separated the two sides that started the day in the bottom four.

However, Neil Warnock was again left feeling frustrated and aggrieved by another decision from a referee. Mike Riley adjudged that a last minute challenge by Derek Geary on the Hammers' keeper was an illegal one before the ball broke lose to Rob Kozluk who slotted home.

My View: Not much from me on this game as I spent the day in Chesterfield Royal Hospital having a minor operation. Sincere thanks to all concerned at Calow.

United took all three points in a crucial relegation battle at Watford. Substitute Danny Webber came off the bench to get a controversial 88th minute winner.

Neil Warnock made two changes in personnel from the side that lost at West Ham on Saturday with Christian Nade coming into the side to play up front and while Chris Morgan was brought back to play in the centre of defence. Phil Jagielka moved into midfield while Danny Webber was given a place on the bench having just recovered from a hamstring strain.

The game involving two of the bottom three had a certain amount of predictability about it as both sides showed the battling qualities. The Blades seemed to come of worst in the first half when Claude Davis went off with a knee injury on the half hour while his centre back partner Chris Morgan appeared to play the last 20 minutes of the half suffering with double vision having sustained a knock on the head.

Paddy Kenny produced a good save from Henderson midway through the opening period while the Blades' best chance of the half fell to Christian Nade who found himself onside from a move that started from a Blades free kick. However Lee in the Watford goal did enough to put off United's young striker who was unable to find a finish as he ran through on goal.

Early in the second half Christian Nade had more three opportunities to give United the lead, first when in used his strength and pace down the left but he was unable to supply an unmarked Keith Gillespie who had taken up a great position in the Watford box. Then on 51 minutes Derek Geary produced a cross for the French under-21 international but Nade directed his powerful header on to the upright. Clearly it wasn't going to be Nade's night when in skied the ball over the top following a good moved down the right that resulted in a cross from Gillespie which Nade couldn't make the most of.

United looked to have far more quality than the home in the second half but you wondered if a goal was going to come when Geary supplied Rob Hulse who hit the post from close range under a challenge from DeMerit.

The introduction of Danny Webber for the last quarter of an hour gave the visitors even more impetus and eventually brought the winner when Chris Morgan's flying header from a free kick made Lee save on to his crossbar but Webber was on hand to head home from close range. TV replays suggested that Webber was in an offside position from Morgan's header and the former Watford striker became "active" as he headed home the rebound.

Perhaps it was United's turn for a change to benefit from poor judgement from the officials while Watford had even more grounds to feel aggrieved when a challenge by Morgan on Henderson looked like a penalty and seconds later United's Kozluk appeared to deflect a Watford shot with an outstretched hand.

My View: Refereeing decision aside, the Blades deserved to take all three points on the night. They battled and created a string of chances in the second half and looked to have far more quality the Watford. Nade did frustrate us all on the night but the young striker does seem to have raw talent. He is strong, has pace and he did get into positions where he could do damage.

Three huge points for us. If United can produce these type of performances home and away against teams in the bottom half of the Premiership we will have great chance of staying up.

United made it six points out of six, having beaten fellow strugglers' Watford on Tuesday they followed up with a win over bottom club Charlton with a late winner for Keith Gillespie.

The Blades showed three changes from the victory at Watford with Claude Davis, Mikele Leigertwood and Alan Quinn all out after sustaining injuries in Tuesday's 1-0 win at Vicarage Road while Stephen Quinn replaced his elder brother in midfield and Leigh Bromby and Nick Montgomery also came into the side.

The Blades dominated much of the first half but it was the away side that took the lead on 17th through Andy Reid. The pattern of play continued into the second half with United on top and just as you wondered if a goal was not coming Chris Morgan equalised on 65 minutes following at corner from Gillespie.

With United chasing a winner they piled bodies forward and were rewarded when Keith Gillespie struck a stunning drive from the edge of the box on 88 minutes.

My View: Two back to back wins for the Blades and two 88th minute winning goals in less than a week. Following the victory at Watford it was vital that United took full advantage with a home win against struggling Charlton.

Sheffield United produced a storming second half comeback having trailed at the interval through a Villa goal scored in the opening 80 seconds. United forced themselves in front with goals from Stephen Quinn and Danny Webber but were immediately pegged back by a Milan Baros equaliser as both sides took a point a piece.

The Blades showed just one change from the side that beat Charlton nine days ago with Danny Webber having recovered from injury coming back into the side in place of Christian Nade. United's injury list seemed to be shortening as Claude Davis, Alan Quinn and Chris Armstrong were all given a place on the bench having regained their fitness.

United were hit by an early Villa goal on 80 seconds when Stiliyan Petrov scored when Chris Sutton's initial shot was blocked and the rebound fell to Petrov who rifled a first-time drive from the edge of the box beyond Paddy Kenny.

The home side was clearly stunned by the sucker punch of the early goal and it took them 20 minutes for them to get into their stride as Villa dominated the opening encounters. Jagielka came close to equalising on 26 minutes when he hit a trade mark effort from distance that dipped by way of a deflection just over the bar.

Moments later Chris Sutton almost doubled the visitors' lead when Petrov's free kick was headed on to the bar by the former Blackburn and Celtic forward. A minute later Villa came close again when Gary Cahill brought out a double save from Kenny.

As half time beckoned United forced a series of corners without reward and Rob Hulse should have scored when he found himself unmarked on the edge of the box following a cross from Kozluk but United's leading scoring blazed wide of the target.

The Blades signalled their intentions at the start of the second half when Montgomery shot wide within a minute of the restart. Then on 50 minutes United equalised when Rob Kozluk's long throw to the edge of the six-yard box was headed on by Villa defender Ridgewell into the path of Stephen Quinn who finished with a volley from 10 yards.

Rob Hulse came close to giving the home side the lead on the hour mark when he fired a bullet header that Taylor in the Villa goal knew little about and he was grateful that the ball was powered straight at him as he made the save.

On 64 minutes United took a deserved lead when Gillespie crossed from a short corner and Morgan headed back across the Villa goalmouth and Webber was on hand to flick home from close range.

United then prove the old adage that you are at your most vulnerable when you have just scored as they gave away possession easily and Steven Davis crossed for Sutton who knocked the ball into the path of Milan Baros who equalised from six yards.

The home side couldn't believe their bad luck when a long throw from Bromby gave Hulse a chance to score but Taylor saved. As the ball rebounded away to Nade the Blades substitute made Villa's Aaron Hughes clear off his line only for Nade to then make Taylor saved again.

My view: At the end the United's players seemed glad to have got back into the game after conceding so early and after a poor first half but on the balance of the play we should have taken all three points. However, the match which was shown live on Sky T.V. was a great game to watch and a good advert for Sheffield United as the players are now showing great desire to stay in this division.

United moved into 14th place in the Premiership with a 1-0 away win at Wigan thanks to a Rob Hulse goal just before the interval.

United manager Neil Warnock made two changes from the draw against Villa on Monday night with midfielder Michael Tonge back after a seven-week lay-off due to an ankle injury with Nick Montgomery missing out, while Claude Davis was preferred ahead of Leigh Bromby at centre-back.

Chances in the opening period were at a premium but in the last minute of the first half Webber linked up well with Gillespie and then Stephen Quinn provided a cross from the left which found Rob Hulse who flicked the ball home at the near post.

Early in the second half Paddy Kenny was forced to save twice first from Denny Landzaat and then from Kevin Kilbane. The game sparked into life on the hour mark when Arjan De Zeeuw was adjudged by the referee to have handled in the box but following consultation with his assistant the referee changed his mind and awarded a goal kick to the home side. This lead to a brief but heated exchange between to two managers with Paul Jewell wagging a finger in the direction of the Blades boss.

Moments later Gillespie attacked down the right and unleashed a fierce drive that Chris Kirkland parried, Danny Webber followed in but the Wigan keeper denied United again.

With just ten minutes left David Wright for Wigan headed wide from the centre of penalty area from a corner for the home side but with United showing good possession the visitors looked more likely to extending their as Wigan were largely out of sorts.

Despite an extra five minutes of added time United held on for a deserved win.

At the end of the game Blades central defender Chris Morgan was left with a swollen and cut right eye after being caught by McCulloch in injury time. Wigan midfielder immediately offered his apologies to Morgan after the game, but the Football Association may yet decide to take retrospective action as it is believed that referee Peter Walton did not witness the incident.

My View: Three wins out of four and four games without defeat sees United move into 14th place. Still a long way to go in the season but it's beginning to look like we have every chance of proving a lot of the experts wrong who said United were favourites to go down. But still a long way to go.

More on this story at: BLADEPOINT

United seemed to be in good form early on with strikers Hulse and Webber looking sharp. On 26 minutes Webber found himself through on goal only to drag a right-footed shot wide to the left of David James' goal.

The Blades went in at half time leading through Hulse's early goal and looked good value for their lead as United matched the home side in every department.

Within minutes of the restart United found themselves back on level terms when Kanu produced a chip forward from the right touchline for his strike partner Benjani who crossed into the Blades box. The ball took a goal bound deflection off Jagielka and Kozluk stood on the goal line was only able to direct the ball into United's goal.

On 54 minutes the home side went in front when Sol Campbell headed home an in swinging corner from Matt Taylor. United had to absorb a lot of pressure from the home side as Portsmouth appeared to be in full flow. Pompey produced a series of corners that gave United problems and then on the mid point of the second half another corner produced the home side's third goal when Mendes swung the ball in for Pamarot who head in from six yards.

Neil Warnock perhaps may have felt that the game had got away from his side as he substituted both Hulse and Webber, possibly keen to save the legs of his main strike force with a gruelling Christmas / New Year programme to come. However, Kazim-Richards came off the bench and had a flying headed which was deflected into the path of Claude Davis who produced a point blank save from David James and Kazim-Richards was involved again late on when he pulled a shot just wide in the last minute.

My View: Disappointing having done so well in the first half and to concede two goals from set pieces.

Sheffield United made it two defeats out of two over the Christmas period as the Blades lost 1-0 to Manchester City in a largely forgettable game at Bramall Lane as Stephen Ireland's second half strike sealed the points for the visitors.

For the third successive game Neil Warnock named an unchanged side to face City keeping faith with the players that lost at Portsmouth on Saturday. However the team appeared to be a shadow of the side that has done well in the last few games as the home side struggled to make any impression in the first half. City weren't much better but should have had a penalty award in the first half when Rob Kozluk appeared to punch Micah Richards' header off the line. United's best chance fell to Jagielka who drove a half volley from the edge of the box and Weaver in the City goal had to palm round a post.

United showed some improvement in the second half and put a lot of pressure on Nicky Weaver goal without creating enough clear cut opportunities. Stephen Quinn seemed to rush as he hit a volley from the edge of the box that went over the target.

Christian Nade and Rob Hulse went close after goalmouth scrambles but on 77 minutes City scored totally against the run of play when Stephen Ireland left-foot drive beat the United 'keeper Kenny but found the back of the net.

My veiw: These are the sort of games where we need to win. Two wins at home so far is clearly not good enough.

Sheffield United gained their first ever Premiership victory over Arsenal thanks to a Christine Nade goal five minutes before half time.

Neil Warnock was forced to make six changes from the side that lost to Manchester City on Boxing Day with Stephen Quinn (fibula) and Derek Geary (thigh) missing while a number of the Blades squad were effected by a virus. Claude Davis, Michael Tonge and Rob Husle were rested to the bench, however all three came on as substitutes during the course of the game.

Arsenal also had their injury problems with, Adebayor, Hleb, Walcott, Eboue and Djourou all joining Henry in the treatment room.

Arsenal looked threatening in the opening encounters and Tomas Rosicky produced an early curling shot with the outside of his right foot that Kenny saved to his right. On seven minutes the visitors should have gone into the lead when a corner delivered by Van Persie was headed into the ground by Gilberto and the ball looped over the top of Kenny's bar.

Nick Montgomery was enjoying his recall to the Blades midfield and made two telling tackles in the box first on Van Persie and then on Aliadiere when both Arsenal strikers were about to unleash shots on goal.

United had chances to go in front first when a long range shot from Kozluk took a slight deflection from Nade and the ball went just beyond Lehmann's far post. Alan Quinn should have done better as United pressed for the opener as he hit a tame side footed shot from just wide of the six yard area which the Arsenal 'keeper gathered easily.

Five minutes short of the interval the Blades took the lead when Arsenal gave away possession on the edge of United's box. Claude Davis cleared as far as Quinn on the half way line who then found Nade. The Blades' young striker turned Toure for dead and then fired into the Arsenal goal as Lehmann advanced out of his area.

On the hour mark the game took another twist as United's 'keeper Kenny went off injured with a groin strain. With the home side without a keeper on the subs bench, Phil Jagielka put on the goalkeeper gloves for the remaining 30 minutes.

Alan Quinn had opportunities to extend United's lead first when a shot from outside the box went just wide and also when the busy midfielder was through on goal and made Lehmann save from a tight angle. Nade thought he had scored a second of the night on 68 minutes when he ran through on goal and forced an error from the advancing Lehmann but goal was adjudged to be offside.

Arsenal did little to test United's stand-in 'keeper except a cross from Van Persie which "Jaggs" caught easily and then late on when a Van Persie effort from close in was brilliantly saved from Jagielka.

My View: A great win for the Blades which shows we are capable of beating anyone in this division. A massive three points as we fight to stay up.

Clearly Neil Warnock was keen to rotate his squad as he made six changes from the team that beat Arsenal on Saturday. Paddy Kenny was replaced by third choice 'keeper Paul Gerrard due to a groin injury sustained against the Gunners. Gerrard who impressed during a loan spell a couple of seasons ago re-joined the Blades to provide cover with Blades number two 'keeper Ian Bennett also out with injury.

Middlesbrough came out of the blocks and produced early chances for Yakubu and Arca but the Blades finally got into their stride and had a good chance in the 29th minute after Jonathan Woodgate fouled Hulse on the edge of the box. Gillespie's free-kick was tipped low around his post by a diving Schwarzer.

Hulse won a controversial penalty in stoppage time after being pushed by Pogatetz in the box. With United having a poor record with penalties this season it was Jagielka who stepped up to take the spot-kick and "Jaggs" didn't disappoint when he struck a confident spot-kick to Schwarzer's right to bring the Blades level.

The visitors almost went in ahead shortly before the interval when Chris Morgan's powerful header was hacked off the line by Arca following a Gillespie corner.

Boro' continued to threaten United's goal in the second half and on 68 minutes Mark Viduka got the better of Claude Davis and it was Yakubu who got the final touch from close range on Viduka's shot which Gerrard couldn't keep out.

It was game over on 75 minutes when Chris Morgan impeded Yakubu in the box and the referee didn't hesitate pointing to the spot for the second penalty of the afternoon. Yakubu converted from the spot to seal the points.

My View: After all the euphoria following the Arsenal victory United have to look back on a less than satisfactory Christmas / New Year programme that has seen us take only three points out of twelve.

The Blades went down to a 3rd round F.A. Cup humiliation at the hands of League 1 opponents Swansea when the side from South Wales scored three goals in a twenty minutes spell in the second half. Neil Warnock was asking for trouble when he preferred a second string team leaving out a number of his key players while for Swansea it was a chance to perform on a larger stage and an opportunity to produce an upset.

The home side looked at best lacklustre in the first half with their best opportunity falling to Kevan Hurst who forced a saved from close range from Swans 'keeper Gueret. Hurst, a product of the United's academy, was making his full debut having returned to Bramall Lane in the week following a loan spell at Chesterfield.

Swansea carved out the better early chances and Rory Fallon should have done better with two efforts. Blades' third choice 'keeper Gerrard had a scare when he had to back peddle when Butler's free kick ballooned off the Blades' defensive wall only to land on the roof of the net.

United appeared to fall on their own sword when the conceded three goals in a twenty minute spell at the beginning of the second half. First Thomas Butler scored when Swansea striker Akinfenwa had two efforts blocked by Bromby only for the ball to fall to Butler found the net with a right foot drive which found its way through United's defences. Akinfenwa was involved again for the second goal as he gave United's makeshift centre-back pairing of Sommeil and Bromby problems. The ball eventually came to Butler again who fired the ball underneath a diving Gerrard.

With Butler looked threatening again on the left of United's box a fully committed Geary brought down Butler for a clear penalty. Britton didn't disappoint the five thousand plus visiting supporters when he drilled the spot kick into the top left of Gerrard goal.

My View: A hugely disappointing display from United. In 2003 the Blades got to two cup semi-finals and eventually lost out on promotion when we didn't perform in a play-off final that perhaps was one game too many for the team in a season that saw United play sixty-one competitive games. For this reason clearly Neil Warnock has no interest in cup competitions these days and is totally focused on staying in the promised land of the Premiership. He will argue that if we stay up this season it will be largely forgotten that we lost Birmingham in the League Cup and Swansea in the F. A. Cup. However, selecting a weakened team for arguably the world most prestigious cup tournament is not only an insult to the competition but also treats the hard-core of Blades supporters who turn out with complete contempt.

It was disappointing that United's second string players couldn't beat a side at home from a league two tiers below them but it's no wonder why United's fringe players didn't perform when the manager shows that he has no interest in the cups.

If Neil Warnock is still United's manager next season, I will question whether to go to games in the early rounds of either cup competitions.

Sheffield United conceded a 81st minute equaliser from Portsmouth's Gary O'Neill through a defensive error from Claude Davis when the Blades usually dependable centre-back and the Blades 'keeper Gerrard combined to produce a comical mix-up that handed Portsmouth a point on a plate at Bramall Lane.

Neil Warwock ventured into the transfer market during the week bringing 23-year-old defender Matthew Kilgallon from Leeds United for £1.75m and striker Jonathan Stead for an initial fee of £750,000, which could rise to £1.25m.

Kilgallon was unable to start for United due to a slight ankle injury but Stead made his debut partnering Hulse up front. With Chris Morgan suspended transfer listed Chris Lucketti was a surprise inclusion in the side.

United took the lead midway through the first half made Stephen Quinn hit a curling free kick from the edge of the box into the top right of the Pompey goal giving David James little chance.

Three weeks ago in the reverse fixture at Fratton Park United took a first half lead and Portsmouth came back in the second half scoring three goals. Portsmouth looked in danger of repeating this when they encamped in United's half for much of the second period. United seemed to have weathered much of Pompey's pressure until the 81st minute when the visitors scored through a massive defensive error.

Davis, signalled to Gerrard to come and collect a through-ball into the penalty area from substitute Niko Kranjcar. Gerrard failed to come and collect while Davis still had an opportunity to clear but came under pressure from Benjani and the ball eventually fell to Gary O'Neil who tapped home from eight yards.

My View: Before the game I would have been happy with a point against Portsmouth. Harry Radnapp's team are a more than useful outfit and I thought it was important to get something from the game following some recent poor performances from United. However, to concede the equaliser the way we did felt like two points dropped rather than a point gained.

It was another busy week for Neil Warnock as he made two more signings adding Senegalese defender Mamadou Seck and Jamaican striker Luton Shelton to his squad.

Seck, 27, signed a two-and-a-half year deal after a free move from Le Havre while Shelton, 21, cost around £2m from Swedish club Helsingborg. Shelton is an international team-mate of Blades defender Claude Davis and has scored one goal in four appearances for Jamaica.

Neither players were involved in the squad to face Reading though Seck did play in a friendly against Chengu Blades on Monday night while Shelton was still awaiting international clearance.

United have a poor recent record against the Royals and it was a cautious team selection by Neil Warnock with five defenders with Chris Armstrong coming into the side. Paddy Kenny was restored to goalkeeping position having recovered from a groin injury sustained against Arsenal at the end of December.

United had an early opportunity when Stephen Quinn delivered a free kick from the left on 11 minutes but Jagielka headed wide of the target. Rob Hulse had an effort which was deflected wide midway through the first half but the home side seemed to come to life just before the interval. First a shot from Graeme Murty from 35 yards was tipped around a post by Paddy Kenny. Moments later Paddy Kenny appeared to misjudge a through ball but Leroy Lita was unable to take full advantage and could only find the side netting. On the stroke of half time Reading went ahead when both Chris Lucketti and Stephen Quinn failed to clear and let in Shane Long who put the home side one up.

Five minutes into the second half the home side doubled their lead through Ulises De la Cruz but minutes later the game erupted when Keith Gillespie who had only just appeared from the subs bench was sent off after throwing an elbow at Stephen Hunt. The two opposing benches were then involved in an incident that led to Neil Warnock and Brian Kidd being dismissed along with two of the Reading coaching staff including former Blade Wally Downes. Warnock had made a stamping movement aimed at the referee complaining about an earlier tackle by Reading's Steve Sidwell on Chris Armstrong. Wally lived up to his name by misinterpreting Warnock 's action believing that the Blades manager was inciting his players to react in an aggresive manner. Downes tried to manhandle Warnock and then a melee insured.

Stephen Hunt added salt to United's wounds when he made it 3-0 in the 70th minute, hooking home from close range after Rob Kozluk had stopped a Sidwell shot on the line. Christian Nade came on late in the game and gave the visiting fans some cheer when he beat Reading's offside trap and finished well to beat Hahnemann.

My View: It's all a bit worrying having now only won one in seven games. A poor performance but the incident involving the two benches was a major talking point.