The Steel City has seen both Sheffield sides compete in a dozen FA Cup Finals with the Blades contesting six finals in a 37 year period. The Sheffield 2 side were victors in 1899, beating Derby County by four goals to one whilst further wins in the final came in 1902 (Southampton), 1915 (Chelsea) and in 1925 (Cardiff City), they have been losing finalists twice in 1901 (Tottenham Hotspur) and 1936 (Arsenal).
Sheffield United has had a long way to get to this stage of the competition. They started round one way back on 9 November at Colchester United, winning 3-2. They then beat non-leaguers Cambridge United (2-0) with goals from Jose Baxter and Jamie Murphy before railroading Aston Villa (2-1) at their famous traditional semi-final venue. In round four United beat Fulham (1-0) in extra-time after the initial game went to a replay following a 1-1 draw at the Lane. In the previous round the Blades beat Nottingham Forest in the M1 Derby at Bramall Lane, winning by three goals to one...
16 February 2014 - Sheffield United 3 Nottingham Forest 1
Substitute Chris Porter struck twice in the dying seconds to down Nottingham Forest and set up a possible Steel City derby in the FA Cup quarter-finals. Although deep in a relegation scrap in the third tier United have been a different creature in the cup, knocking out Aston Villa and Fulham before adding Forest to the list with a remarkable comeback. The Blades, comfortably the lowest-ranked team left in the draw, trailed to Jamie Paterson's first-half header until the 68th minute when a goalkeeping howler by Dorus De Vries allowed Conor Coady to tap into an open net. Then Porter arrived as an 87th minute substitute and produced some authentic cup magic as he converted a last-minute penalty before prodding home again in injury-time.
The result raises the tantalising prospect of a clash with Sheffield Wednesday - should the Owls see off Charlton in their own rearranged fifth-round clash. With almost 26,000 packed into Bramall Lane - the highest gate of the season - the match had an intense atmosphere from the off and that soon translated to the players, who contested a scrappy but high-paced opening. Forest had chances for Darius Henderson, Paterson and Greg Halford in the opening stages, but Harry Maguire and Neill Collins dealt comfortably with Andy Reid's deep balls over the top. Maguire found himself on the end of a penalty appeal when Simon Cox tumbled in the six-yard box but the linesman had a perfect view and saw nothing untoward. The Blades might have had their reward in the 25th minute when Forest committed too many bodies forward and invited a counter-attack. Jose Baxter collected the ball inside his own half and charged on unchallenged to the edge of the area
He had Stefan Scougall peeling away to the right but instead opted to shoot and left De Vries with an easy save. It took Forest just three minutes to punish that missed chance. Reid turned a decent spell of possession into something more, advancing down the right before delivering a pinpoint cross, Paterson, edging out his marker, nodded home. United had one more chance to get on the score sheet before the break, Baxter this time choosing the right pass when he reached the box. Scougall managed a decent connection as he aimed for the bottom corner but De Vries was equal to it. By half-time the quarter-final draw had been made and United came out like a team intent on setting up a derby date. Forest were pushed back early in the second half, Gonzalo Jara blocking bravely as Maguire smashed a loose ball goal wards following Baxter's corner. Scougall went closer, firing through a crowded area from 20 yards only for De Vries to make another calm save. The visitors, subdued since the interval, clicked into gear as the hour-mark approached, Paterson producing a curling effort that left Mark Howard at full stretch. United were unperturbed and raced forward once more. Forest survived a penalty appeal when the ball appeared to strike Fox on the hand but the leveller arrived just a minute later.
De Vries was entirely culpable, somehow losing control of John Brayford's speculative cross and tangling with defender Jamaal Lascelles as Coady swooped to poke into an open net. Reid almost restored the lead within two minutes but Howard pawed the Irishman's free-kick over the bar. But United were in no mood to lie down. With a minute of normal time left Murphy's cross was handled by Lascelles and Porter, despite being on the pitch a matter of seconds, did not hesitate with the spot-kick. The crowd went wild but there was more yet to celebrate as a rattled Forest defence allowed Porter to steal into the six-yard box and bundle home a second.
League One Form
Sheffield United are unbeaten in their last eight matches in all competitions, having seen off Fulham (1-0) and Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup the Blades have also seen out victories against Shrewsbury Town (2-0), Gillingham (1-0), Bristol City (3-0), Colchester United (1-0), Milton Keynes Dons (1-0) and last Tuesday night's 2-0 victory at home to Peterborough United.
Ben Davies' impressive strike at the start of the second half and a late goal from Chris Porter saw in-form Sheffield United beat Peterborough 2-0 to record their eighth straight win in all competitions. The home side dominated from the off and were never seriously tested by Darren Ferguson's men. Stephen McGinn had a shot on the run saved by Bobby Olejnik and Callum McFadzean's low drive from the edge of the area was deflected wide. McGinn then went close to scoring with a low drive which beat Olejnik but came back off the keeper's right-hand post. Billy Paynter, following up, shot straight at Olejnik.
As the home side continued to press, Shaun Miller made a good run into the area before firing over. Davies (47) struck the opener with a superbly flighted free-kick over the defensive wall - the ball going into the top right-hand corner of Olejnik's net. After McGinn fired off-target from a good position and Conor Coady shot just over, substitute Porter (88) added a second goal with a good finish after being sent clear through the middle.
Possible Blades Line-Up (4-4-1-1):
Howard
Brayford - Maguire - Collins - Harris
Flynn - Doyle (c) - Davies - Murphy
Scougall
Baxter
Blades boss Nigel Clough will be without Callum McFadzean, Elliott Whitehouse and Billy Paynter who are all cup-tied. On the injury front the former Derby County boss is without Belgian midfielder Florent Cuvelier (ligaments), who is sidelined for the remainder of the season. He made six changes to the side which beat Peterborough in midweek and will be interesting to see which players were deemed unfit and those rested. However it gave an opportunity for Academy starlet Terry Kennedy to feature, though he will most likely be listed as a substitute.
Winger Jamie Murphy (groin) and defenders John Brayford (calf) and Harry Maguire (knee) are all doubtful and key players, midfielder Ben Davies (on loan from Derby County) is eligible to play in the cup as is new loan signing Kieran Freeman (also from Derby) who could make his debut - he is expected to remain at the Lane on loan until 5 April.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 1 Charlton Athletic 0