It was another magical cup night at Bramall Lane as the Blades once again overcame the underdog status to go through to the cup semi-finals of the League Cup. Facing high flying Southampton, United fought like trojans but also played some lovely stuff and were worthy winners long before the Saints spoiling tactics threatened to boil over at the end. Rival manager Ronald Koeman’s reaction at the end was surprising and disappointing from a man with such a storied career but deep down he must surely accept his side was well beaten. The only goal came from Marc McNulty as he forced home after Bob Harris’ ferocious free kick could only be partially saved for Fraser Forster. After this the Southampton keeper was the busier keeper as he made several saves to deny United a second. The visitors had a lot of the ball but in truth create little and anything but a home victory would have been a travesty. A late red card amidst a series of agricultural challenges on the tireless Marc McNulty saw the game end in ugly fashion but could not detract from the Blades performance.
Nigel Clough opted to give a first start for over a year to Florent Cuvelier and went with McNulty as the lone striker with Louis Reed also given a start. Chris Basham returned to centre back and Ryan Flynn continued at right back.
Southampton were without the suspended Grazianno Pelle and rested Dusan Tadic but fielded a very strong line up otherwise with the influential Morgan Schneiderlin returning and many of their regular line up also appearing.
The Saints started the game well and moved it about nicely but Untied gradually got into the game and actually created the better early chances. From a free kick from the right that Campbell Ryce sent over; Forster spilt the cross and looked for a foul but as he dithered, McEveley hooked it over his head and onto the top of the bar.
Campell Ryce put in an inviting cross that was cleared at the near post before Cuvelier’s free kick was over after Fonte fouled him to lead to the award. Southampton showed a flurry of quality play that saw the ball transferred from left to right but Clyne was blocked out after a good run and then the ball was cleared.
The Saints best chance came from a Ward Prowse free kick which Howard and the defence struggled to get clear but the ball was eventually put out of the box after some pinball had ensued.
United were well in the game and were playing things at such a higher tempo than in previous games. The way they broke with pace when they could was pleasing to see for the home crowd who were warmed by the genuine desire to get forward along with determined defensive play. Clyne and Mane were booked after a series of fouls prior to this had gone unpunished as Oliver seemed to be losing control of the game for a spell.
More neat stuff from United saw them break but Cuvelier miskicked at the last before another decent move saw Reed fire over. Basham then showed lovely skill to break and got to the byline but his cross was sliced wide by Cuvelier.
Harris was booked for pulling back Long and then Mane shot wide when well found by Ward Prowse just before the break. United had been very good in the first half and were well in the game creating more chances and arguable looking the better side.
At the break Adams came on for his debut replacing Campbell Ryce who presumably went off with an injury.
The second half saw the Saints try and make a conscious effort to come out with more determination and they seemed to move each department higher up the pitch in an attempt to have more ball and create more chances.
Murphy hit a shot wide when well placed after good work from Harris down the left before Long had a shot blocked at the other end.
United had a great chance soon after as Murphy’s cross was headed goalwards by McEveley but Forster palmed away and then Adams could not convert the rebound. Cuvelier and Basham were booked for cynical pull backs and then United started to take control again with some quick breaks from midfield leading to chances. One such chance saw Murphy cross but after Adams had miscontrolled initially he recycled play for Doyle to hit a fierce shot that Forster palmed behind.
Then on the hour things came to life as Reed robbed Mane who pulled him back. It was debatable if was in or out of the box but it seemed like it should have been a yellow card at least but Oliver gave nothing.
From the free kick right on the edge of the box, Harris hit a ferocious free kick that rocked Forster back as he saved and the ball spiralled across the line. It looked like it may just cross the line but MCNULTY made sure smashing it home. Cue jubilant scenes in front of the Kop.
As the celebrations continued Chris Morgan was sent to the stands allegedly for something he said to the fourth official. Ronald Koeman also came across and had words as the game was becoming increasingly fractious not helped by a poor refereeing performance.
Southampton came with a period of possession and won two quick corner but United through Basham in particular were remaining resolute. A chance came when neat football saw Mane played in but his low shot was well saved from Howard with his feet.
United broke again and McNulty was in on goal but his shot was well saved by Forster. The same man combined with Murphy and another save was made.
On came Baxter and Wallace for Cuvelier and Reed and United fans waited for the potential late onslaught but it never seemed to come and the home side if anything looked more likely to score again. More rapid football saw United break and Murphy was in but his effort was saved and McNulty had his follow up blocked by a defender. Howard took a big catch from a corner as the clock entered stoppage time (four minutes) before McNulty’s tireless showing saw him get away from Gardos who clumsily hauled him down. The red card was inevitable as he was the last man. Baxter blazed over but soon after Fonte was the next to haul McNulty down and it saw another yellow card for a disappointingly cynical Saints side.
United saw out the remaining time and the players could celebrate in a well-deserved huddle in front of the Kop as the crowd stood and saluted very player to a man as they left the rain soaked night. It was another great cup win and a superb performance and victory for the Blades.
United – Well what can I say? I have criticised the side over a lot of this season for slow, lifeless and spineless play. They have lacked drive, aggression, tempo and the ability to dig in; let alone only flurries of skill/decent football against some very poor sides at League One Level. Tonight they were brilliant. To a man. They fought hard, played with their hearts but also their heads. They played at a high tempo and attacked well when they could and defended so resolutely. They put bodies in the line but were not just clinging on as at times they broke well and played some lovely football. It was like some of the cup games last season as they were able to get bodies forward and at pace and although kept a good shape still committed bodies forward when they could and because of this created lots of chances. Over the game we had many more chances than them even if the stats may suggest they had more of the ball; I am not sure what they did with it? Sure at times we had to sit in and clear/head away and make blocks but they did not exactly pepper our goal and Howard although played well only had a couple of saves to make all game. Forster was the much busier.
It is frustrating that we can go from such a slow and tepid showing at Fleetwood to that. Course it being a cup semi helps and being underdogs seems to suit us but we really have set the bar tonight and the players have proved they are good enough (certainly at League One level). Maybe as teams like Southampton come onto us and we have one v one when we attack but I do feel it is more than that. Quite simply the players raised their games as they did in the cup games last year and were determined to win individual battles all over the field.
Just like a few of the cup games last year, you were genuinely inspired by the Blades players tonight. They went the extra yard to win the tackles, make the loose balls and chase balls through. I could not fault any of the players. They did play some nice pieces of skill and created several chances due to this and this allied with incredible work ethic and organisation meant we looked a very good side tonight. Southampton looked clueless for long spells and even though you were automatically anxious as it is a cup quarter final; did they really look like scoring? Probably not.
Every department was good. Basham and McNulty for sheer effort stood out but all the players put a shift in and showed some good football too. They have set the bar high and I now hope like last season they can use this to kick start the league season. Tonight was not one thing. It was everything. Tactics, work rate, shape, organisation, desire, skill and football, United showed the lot tonight. It was a remarkable transformation from much of the malaise we have been through this season. Huge pat on the back to Clough and the side tonight. I just hope they can build on this now.
Southampton – They cannot have any arguments. They were second best I felt. I think they thought it was going to be a lot easier than it was but they got a rude awakening as a resolute and determined United side gave them a going over.
They were poor but were made to look poor by a side that wanted it more, fought harder and played better football where it mattered (not just around middle of field and went nowhere). You could tell they have been on a losing run as their confidence looked brittle as game went on. They started the game well and looked a crisp, passing side but then started to make mistakes and as the game went on, United got stronger and I felt a few of their players did not want to know- but that is not taking away credit from the Blades. I felt so many of their players were just out fought and some surprisingly out thought. McNulty gave the two centre backs a torrid time with his work rate and hold up. The defence won most headers and clearances and were first to the ball and in midfield, whilst they had a lot of the ball, they did not really do not much with it as we pressed play and forced them inside. We prevented any real penetration all night and this meant other than a few half chances they did not really look like scoring.
They tried to knock it about and played some pretty stuff but also gave it away a lot. Forster was their best player and that says it all. The two centre backs were so clumsy and both ought to have gone long before Gardos went. Fonte should have walked for several fouls too. They had 6 booked and 1 sent off. That says it all. The two England full backs were stopped going forward and made to go the other way. In midfield Ward-Prose was well tracked by Reed and Doyle matched up well on Schneiderlin. The big lad Wanyama had a bit of a mare (and I rate him) constantly tossing the ball away. In fact most of the side were so sloppy in possession. Flynn did a great job on the tricky Mane and I felt Long was also not given a sniff.
So many of their players did not really show up but United were just so up for it and when they lost tackles they did not want to know. I was surprised how technically poor they were at times but also quite dirty and committed so many cynical fouls. Added to this they also feigned injury quite a lot and some of the antics was embarrassing. The reaction of Koeman summed up their night. They had been well beaten by a League One side and should have congratulated their opponents but many of them skulked off. Saw a few players not even shake hands either. They are on a poor run in the league but they will still finish in the top 7 or 8 I feel as do have some decent player (maybe best 2 missing but still had far than enough to beat us). Tonight they just have to accept they were beaten by better and more determined side.
Howard 7.5/10 – His rating may seem high considering what he had to do but he made one really key save when he stopped a shot low down (sometimes hardest ones to stop). Other than that in tricky conditions other than one dodgy moment where he half punched away a corner in the first half; he was very good. He caught crosses when he had to and punched when he had to. His kicking was a mixed bag but the fact he made such a key save and took those key crosses was important.
Flynn 8/10 – After a not as impressive showing at Fleetwood, he was back to form he had showed at right back in the previous two games. He was first to the ball, got tight to a tricky winger and stopped crosses. Going the other way he used ball well, he overlapped when he could and made some neat but sensible passes. Like the rest of the back four, pretty much faultless tonight.
Harris 8.5/10 – Seems to have got back to the form of last season. Got up and down the wing. Tackled well and got on the front foot. He got forward too and raced down the wing on occasions (got forward even more than Flynn) and had a few really good efforts on goal. He then had the driven free kick which led to the goal of course.
McEveley 8/10 – Very good. Covered well, made some good interceptions and also a few good tackles too. He is very good in the air (not massive) and I felt he and Basham were excellent against some good players (Long 12 million pound player). Really surprised me how good he has been. If he cuts the silly free kicks out then he would not have many faults as he is quite quick, tackles well and gets in good clearances.
Basham 9/10 – Immense. Why he is not playing centre back is beyond me? He was the best defender on the field. He won every header, clearance and tackle. He was first to the ball but also not just someone who cleared, tackles and covered but used ball well too. Broke forward a few times and showed a delightful piece of skill when he executed an incredibly double drag back to fool two defenders and then put a good cross in that was nearly converted. Second half he has this; ‘Thou shall not pass’ attitude. Tremendous and a far cry from man we saw at start of season. Needs to play with McEveley for foreseeable in this area.
Doyle 8/10 – At times he did give the ball away (quite a bit first half) and some cynical fouls but he never hid and kept going and got stronger as the game went on. He started to win more tackles as we gradually won midfield and he also had quite a few shots/efforts at goal. His passing was mixed but he was a massive influence just in front of back four stopping some real talented midfielders getting into influential areas to cause us problems.
Reed 7.5/10 – Worked hard. He put a real shift in doing things you would not normally associate (known as a technical, passing player) and covered a lot of ground. His passing was poor to start but he got better as the game went on and played some neat passes and clever balls – started to go forward more. He tired a bit second half but another promising performance against high calibre opponents.
Cuvelier 7.5/10 – Some decent touches and runs and involved in a few of our decent moves first half including one shot and another where he miskicked. Busy all half and looks to have filled out somewhat. Had a few efforts on goal and maybe could have done better on one chance after Basham’s run. Struggled second half but not surprising as he had been out for so long and another who worked so hard. Good to give us another option in there.
McNulty 9/10 – His best performance in a United shirt. First half he was decent and showed some decent hold up play and interchange in some of our moves we made but second half he was something else. Faced with two giant centre backs, he put in an incredible amount of effort. Held ball up, brought others into play, won free kicks time after time and moved up and down, cross the line and all over the ensure the defenders never had a moment. Skill, good touch and sheer heart. Set his standard now. Deserved to get the winner. Might have been from an inch but he was quick enough to react and make sure it went in. Looked knackered at the end and you could not be surprised as he put so much into it.
Murphy 7/10 – I felt not everything came off for him tonight but he did put a lot of effort in and actually saw him chasing back a lot and he won some 50/50 tackles too. He got past man a few times but found Bertrand a tough opponent at times. Stuck at it and helped us make a few decent moves. Also had a few chances and forced a few saves. He may have done better and killed the game on one of those.
Campbell Ryce 7/10 – He did ok first half. A few times he gave it away or overplayed but had one run and excellent cross and was providing a threat but went off at the break. Guess he picked up a knock as not sure he did not much wrong or would have been withdrawn for his play?
Subs –
Adams 7/10 – He did not get in the game too much in terms of being on the ball but worked hard and contributed to helping us stay solid down the right hand side. He missed one chance but then straight after had calmness to bring it back down and roll in Doyle who had a shot saved. Like to see more of him. Not sure he is a left sided player?
Baxter – When he came on he actually put some real effort in and chased down some play and also played some neat balls into the channels. He was willed into chasing players down and simply caught the bug from the rest in terms of work rate. He had no choice as anything less and the crowd would have let him know!
Wallace – Brought on for Reed who seemed to strain his hamstring and contributed to us keeping the ball and ensuring we restricted chances by keeping midfield nice and tight towards the end.
Manager rating :
Clough 9.5/10 – Got it spot on. He picked a side that may have raised a few eyebrows but the little midfielders covered a lot of ground and pressed the ball. One up front for this type of game worked, especially with McNulty working so hard. I felt the wide man worked up and down and kept it nice and compact when we defended. The defence concentrating all game and kept to positions. They all covered for each other and the shape was kept solid all game; especially when we defended. It was text book stuff defensively but also when we broke we kept it and created chances. The only thing that stopped it being even more perfect was the fact we did not score more goals (and we could have). Overall though for all the criticism Clough has had this season, tonight he earns all the plaudits and was akin to what we saw last season in the cup run. He has to use tonight as a basis for improvement in the League. Granted we cannot do that when teams come and defend more but we can use elements of that to improve how we go about things.
Officials – Michael Oliver came in for Chris Foy. I felt he never had control of the game from start to finish. Fouls were flying in and he should have booked many players long before he did start getting the yellow card out.
He let one bad foul go opting to play advantage and this led to Basham going in fiercely that may have been deemed dangerous play but he had to let play go on as he had errored at the other end. Just after this it got silly with tackles flying in all over. However he waited too long and then he ended up having to book people all over the place. However many of these were deserved. A few really cynical foul led to bookings for Clyne and Mane and then Harris was booked for a trip. He also let some ridiculous simulation go without a word and then saw another player go down looking like he was injured before he suddenly shot up and was fine within seconds. It was embarrassing and he should have been booked. It was all that was bad about the Premier League and some of the international players that have come into it.
Second half I lost count of the number of times they clattered into McNulty and it seemed inevitable one would go off but he let so many go after booking them both. The red card was actually a straight red in the end. The lad could have gone off three times! He let Fonte off after he committed another bad foul and only booked him right on time when he too should have actually been sent off for persistent fouling.
I felt he was never going to send anyone off. It seemed like he was letting foul after foul go and only the most blatant foul led to the red card.
It was a game that should have seen the referee take control early on but it never happened and ended up with both teams kicking lumps out of each other at times (we committed some poor fouls and deserved bookings too). It was clear both sets of coaches were getting fractious and Morgan was sent off after saying too much and he had earlier squared up to Koeman who did not seem to like what was going on.
In reflection the fractious nature may have helped United as it got the crowd going and brought us to life but that is no excuse for the way he seemed to have no concept of what was going on or able to control the players.
The free kick we won looked awfully close to a penalty (Mane had been booked and was another who should have gone off) but I suppose it all worked out in the end – on this incident he did not even book the Saints player?
Also minor point but why did officials wear yellow and blue (in reverse maybe) which was same as Southampton players? You would not get away with that at Sunday League level?
Crowd – It was maybe a little disappointing to only get 22,000 for a cup quarter final with Southampton bringing 4,500 but the atmosphere when it got going was great. The away fans were very loud and supported their team well. Regardless of them being a big Premier League side, to bring such a big following on a cold, December night is a real achievement. They were right behind their side for the most part save for a few brief spells when they groaned in the second half and some frustration came out. However at the end they applauded their side (and some even stayed to clap United off too). Hats off to them for coming a long way and supporting their side.
As for United fans it may have been slow to get going but as the game went on, the noise increased and the support was so encouraging as they willed the side over the line. The noise when the goal went in was deafening as it was at the final whistle. I felt we really helped make it an intimidating place and helped a rather hapless referee at times start finally booking players. The crowd were genuinely like a 12th man as the game went on and as players chased and pressed towards the end to see the crowd on their feet and willing them on as great to see.
I have said it before but when the Lane is rocking and the players play with pride; it really is a great place to be and one of the finest venues in English football for me, as biased as I am. I feel like with the crowd behind them and the players scrapping and fighting we at times can take on anyone as ridiculous as it seems. It is just a shame it is not like that more often but you have to enjoy nights like this. It is why you go to watch United and makes it all worthwhile. To come out puffing your chest and think, ‘We were brilliant tonight!’ does feel good.