Last season’s League Cup semi-finalists Sheffield United, were victorous for the fourth successive match at the weekend, after enduring a difficult match which saw them 2-0 winners over Blackpool, and jump to 4th in the League One table.
Second-half goals from Billy Sharp and Marc McNulty earned Sheffield United a 2-0 win over Blackpool at Bramall Lane. United made the better start, with Sharp failing to get a shot away from the edge of the penalty area. The visitors went close minutes later after Jose Baxter's attempts to shield the ball out of play were interrupted by a fast-approaching Mark Cullen, with the ball eventually falling for a corner.
Conor Sammon had the best chance of the half with his shot from six yards deflecting off Tom Aldred. The Blades drew first blood on the hour when Jay McEveley drove his corner into the path of a waiting Sharp, who struck low and hard from inside the box. It was 2-0 within 12 minutes after Sharp threaded the ball through to substitute McNulty, who rifled home from the edge of the area. United could not find a third but comfortably secured all three points to leave relegated Blackpool still without a win this season!
Blades boss Nigel Adkins will again assess the fitness of duo Stefan Scougall and Neill Collins. Both were replaced by Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Kieran Wallace in the first half at Peterborough United a week ago due to injury, and the pair may sit tonight's game out. Meanwhile, Matt Done (collarbone), Ryan Flynn (Achilles) and Terry Kennedy (knee) remain side-lined through injury.
Fulham vs. Sheffield United - Carling Cup Round 2
Tuesday, 25 August 2015 - Kick-Off: 7.45PM
Fulham have seen an indifferent start to the new Championship season, and having picked up just two points from their opening four games, they may be in for a hard, and long season ahead. A 1-1 draw on the opening day of the season (at Cardiff City) was matched with an identical score at home to Huddersfield Town last Saturday. These draws were sandwiched between 2-1 defeats against Brighton & Hove Albion, and Hull City.
A last-gasp equaliser from substitute Caluey Woodrow rescued Fulham as they snatched a 1-1 draw against Huddersfield. Nahki Wells had given the Terriers the lead early in the second half, but Woodrow climbed off the bench to grab a point as Fulham's winless run continued. It meant both Fulham and Huddersfield are still yet to win in four league games, with Kit Symons, in his first full season, is coming under increasing pressure from the fans
It took just 18 minutes for the disgruntled home fans to turn on Fulham and by that time the hosts were lucky to still be level. Jacob Butterfield, who had been the subject of failed bids from Derby County, saw his 25-yard shot turned away by Fulham goalkeeper Andy Lonergan with Harry Bunn unable to force the rebound home. Fulham finally threatened when Dan Burn's header was kept out by Joe Murphy in a rare attack. The home side were getting nowhere against an organised Huddersfield side and Jamie O'Hara took matters into his own hands from long-range, with his effort kept out by another fine Murphy save.
Butterfield was catching the eye and impressive footwork saw him open up the opportunity to strike at goal where Lonergan was once again equal to his effort. The hosts, however, looked a side devoid of confidence in a turgid opening period that saw them rarely threaten the Huddersfield goal. It was Chris Powell's side who looked the more threatening, with Sean Scannell going close five minutes after half-time. The winger benefitted from a fortunate rebound but his low shot lacked power and was easily gathered by Lonergan.
Fulham's best hope of a breakthrough seemed to lie with a set-piece, and it nearly reaped rewards on the hour mark as Ross McCormack's free-kick was met by a powerful header from Moussa Dembele, only for Murphy to deny the striker. It proved crucial as Huddersfield went up the other end to take a 62nd minute lead via Wells, as the striker finished easily from Harry Bunn's threaded through-ball.
The supporters soon made their feelings known, as the boos began to ring out around the ground. It could have been worse as Scannell's header was kept out by Lonergan. From the resulting corner, Mark Hudson headed narrowly over from close-range. Fulham were struggling to find a way through but they struck with almost the last kick of the game as Woodrow reacted first to a goalmouth scramble to claim a second point of the season.
Cottegers boss Kit Symons will assess the fitness of keeper Marcus Bettinelli and striker Matt Smith ahead of their meeting with the Blades, both are suffering with knee-ligament damage after colliding together in the defeat to Hull, former Preston stopper Andrew Longergan is expected to retain his place. They will also be without Luke Garbutt (ankle), George Williams (cruciate ligament) and Fernando Amorebieta (knee) and Jack Grimmer (ankle), all through injury.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Fulham 1-1 Sheffield United (aet, Blades win on penalties)
@blades_mad1889 - facebook.com/bladesmad