Sheffield United vs. Norwich City
Saturday, 22nd January 2011
npower Championship
@ Bramall Lane – Kick-Off: 3:00pm
On-loan Sunderland midfielder Andy Reid (17 minutes) smashed home a free-kick to give United the lead and set the game alight, although the home side had come close early on when Nyron Nosworthy almost turned through his own net!
Nelson (20) levelled things up for the Canaries when he was unmarked to head home from a corner before Richard Cresswell (29) regained the lead for the visitors. After that it was the Wes Hoolahan show has he netted a second half hat-trick which consisted of two penalties.
Deep into injury time the Blades were reduced to ten men when Stephen Quinn was sent off for violent conduct.
Defenders Joe Matlock (West Bromwich Albion) and Shane Lowry (Aston Villa) could both make their home debuts this weekend. The pair has both joined on loan from their respective clubs’ until the remainder of the season.
However, United will be without a number of key players; Captain Chris Morgan (knee) has been sidelined for the remainder of the season through injury, whilst; Nyron Nosworthy (ankle), Andy Taylor (leg), Ryan France (back), Richard Wright (thigh) and Darius Henderson (hamstring) are also unavailable.
Striker Marcus Bent is likely to feature in the side and could make his debut after joining on loan from Birmingham City on loan until the end of the season – it is the journey mans second spell with the club.
Expected Eleven: Simonsen, Mattock, Ertl, Bartley, Parrino, Yeates, Montgomery, Williamson, Cresswell, Ward, Evans.
Norwich City last weekend recorded a 1-1 draw against promotion cashing rivals Cardiff City at Carrow Road. The Bluebirds had taken the lead through new signing Jonathan Parkin (7) but despite pressure had to wait until 90th minute through defender Russell Martin till the home side levelled.
On loan Arsenal midfielder Henri Lansbury played his last football for City last week, he has officially returned to his parent club after his loan deal ended – however Canaries boss Paul Lambert may be looking to extend the deal.
Defender Marc Tierney could make his debut at Bramall Lane, but is unlikely to take the place of left full-back Adam Drury. Meanwhile they are without Declan Rudd (broken jaw), Stephen Hughes (knee), Andrew Surman (knee) and Elliott Ward (calf) through injury.
Expected Eleven: Ruddy, Barnett, Drury, Whitbread, R. Martin, Lappin, Crofts, Hoolahan, Fox, C. Martin, Holt.