Blades Season Review: Part 4

A disappointing 0-0 draw to Stoke City ruined a perfect week but a 2-1 home win to Brighton & Hove Albion followed. Dean Windass put United into the lead after just five minutes before the visitors leveled through Richard Carpenter, however the game was won with a Michael Brown free-kick.

Michael Tonge and Steve Kabba each scored a goal to hand Blades a fantastic 2-0 win against Derby County but United where let off the hook against Gillingham. Steve Kabba scrambled home from a corner on edge of half time but Gillingham found two goals in second half and the Blades needed substitute Paul Peschisolido to save their blushes in the 2-2 draw.

In the capital United were held to another 2-2 draw, Tony Popovic (own goal) and a last minute goal from Steve Kabba canceled out Crystal Palace's two goals in a thrilling game. Still at Selhurst Park and a 1-0 defeat was on the cards as Neil Shipperley benefited from Blades poor performance against Wimbledon two days later.

The Blades traveled to Old Trafford to face FA Cup holders Arsenal in same competition at the Semi-Final stage, the Blades were the better side on the day by far but almost took the game into extra-time when David Season brilliantly saved a Peschisolido header. Swedish International Fredrick Lunberg had already given Gunners a 1-0 lead with a controversial goal.

United hit back with a great performance against Nottingham Forest in league just days later, the game finished 1-0 to Blades with Carl Asaba netting winner. A fantastic victory saw sadness next match United slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Preston North End at Deepdale.

GOAL! Carl Asaba scores winner against Leicester and sends Blades into play-offs

The Wolves turned to be a strong opposition at Bramall Lane as the game finished all square 3-3 at full time. Paul Peschisolido lobbed Matt Murray give a 1-0 lead but United let George Ndah and Dean Sturrage take lead. Michael Brown leveled with a spot kick in second half but Sturrage re-took lead a minute later with their penalty, however Peschisolido was on hand again to equalise with a minute left.

The last home game of the season was Bradford City, the Blades had already hammered the Bantams 5-0 at Valley Parade, surely it could not happen again. Well it didn't quite but United had to wait till an hour had gone before they took the lead through a Michael Brown 20 yard shot and Ndlovu made it two four minutes later, Brown then scored from spot moments later to give Blades a comfortable 3-0 win.

The last game before the play-offs started was nothing more than a kick about against Watford at Vicarage Road but it was Hornets who won it with goals from Neil Cox and Scott Fitzgerald. Both goals coming when United failed to clear corners. Despite the loss United finished 3rd in league with 80 points from a possible 138 points, Reading, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest finished with Blades in play-offs.

United faced Forest in a two legged competition, and as Blades

OFF! Forest's Dawson sees red in first leg at City Ground

A full capacity Bramall Lane witnessed what was probably best game they had ever seen this season. Another defensive error (this time from Curtis) gave Forest the lead through Johnson and Andy Reid made it two-nil with a fine volley.

United looked dead and buried but the fans nor the players were never going to give in. A minute after second goal United won a free-kick in Brown territory, Brown's free-kick was aiming for far top corner but it took a wicked deflection from Des Walker which then found the net, 2-1!!! United equalized eight minutes later when Steve Kabba chipped Walker and volleyed home past Ward.

The game then went into extra time and with it still being 2-2 at first half extra time, Neil Warnock threw on Paul Peschislido, just seven minutes into that second half he came up with a winner, he took on four Forest players before side footing past Ward to send the Blades fans crazy, a minute later Des Walker headed into his own net when he tired to put Kabba's cross out for a corner. Forest pulled one back a minute later when Robert Page put into his own net but it was too late as the Blades were going to Cardiff.

At the Millennium Stadium, United bottled it, Wolverhampton Wanderers found themselves 3-0 up at half-time with goals from Mark Kennedy, Nathan Blake and Kenny Miller. The Blades put up a glitzy performance in second half but fans knew it wasn't there day when Michael Brown missed a penalty and Robert page had a header cleared off the line. Nether the less it was Wolves who was going to the Premiership.