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Linesman D S Bryan was loaded with abuse throughout the match from Unitedites when he made a wrong decision to allow Hull's alleged first goal after Kyle Naughton supposedly headed into his own net. The Blades replied shortly after when Billy Sharp netted his second FA Cup goal of the competition. Shortly after, he was booked for diving when having a superb opportunity to put United in the lead, replays showed that he was clipped. After the restart Peter Halmosi arose to nod past Paddy Kenny.
Kevin Blackwell had to dig deep to announce a starting eleven and a substitutes line-up. Academy starlet Kyle Walker began in the heart of the defence with Chris Morgan whilst Greg Halford started up front with Billy Sharp. Youngsters Aymen Tahar, Ben Starosta and Keith Quinn were all given a staring birth on the bench.
United came out of the traps early when Greg Halford flicked the ball wide with his head from a Brian Howard cross. At the other end of the field, Naughton was caught cold by Halmosi who then laid the ball off to Nick Barmby but he blasted the ball over the crossbar and into the stands.
Zayette and Marney both nodded wide whilst later on in the game, Kyle Naughton brought Peter Halmosi down to the surface and was cautioned. The resulting free-kick was drilled into the Blades' wall.
Naughton was involved in more mishaps directly after on the 24 minute mark. Nathan Doyle chipped the ball into the area towards the back post which Naughton unecessarily headed onto the underside of his own crossbar and saw the ball not cross the line. Although the linesman who was situated near the corner flag indicated a Hull goal. He had egg on his face straight after when the scoreboard replayed the OG and the whole ball was clearly not over the line. He was loaded with boos and complaints by the 2,000 travelling United supporters jammed into the away end.
Stephen Quinn had the chance to put the Blades in front but his volley didn't trouble Myhill. United surged on the attack again and went searching for an equaliser. And they found one! Halford swung th
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Mendy's close-range effort meant Paddy Kenny had to be alert to deflect the ball around the post. A few minutes later Billy Sharp was through on goal with Zayette directly behind him but nobody in front, he was blatantly brought down in the penalty area but Peter Watlon, a Premier League referee stuck up for the top flight side and awarded Sharp a yellow card for supposedly diving.
With no changes made at half-time by Blackwell or Brown, the Blades and the Tigers fought it out for another 45 minutes for the right to play either Arsenal or Burnley in the Quarter-Final. No clear cut chances occurred until the 56th minute. An unmarked Peter Halmosi who was a rumoured Blades target in the summer headed past Kenny to resurrect City's lead.
Cotterill missed the target shortly after. In the meantime in United's half, Kenny had to rush out of his goal to volley the ball away from the advanced Manucho.
Billy Sharp's cross was luckily directed towards Hull's goal. The ball dipped under Myhill's crossbar who had to catch the swurving ball but the same linesman who presented the Tigers with their first goal ignored the Unitedites' appeals.
4 minutes of added time were shown by the fourth official. Sun Jihai and Aymen Tahar both replaced Naysmith and Hendrie respectively. But after a few set-pieces, launches into the box, and Kenny coming up for the corners, United failed to stick the ball in the base of the net.
After some disgusting referee and linesmen decisions, United exited the FA Cup in the last 16 for the second time running. Both have to be described as unfortunate. The final score from the KC Stadium is Hull City 2:1 Sheffield United.