Stoke (0) 1 Sheff Utd 0 – 2/4/22/3pm
City beat a United side who seem destined for the play-offs. They started well, but only began to show their teeth in the second half, with Tymon finally breaking the deadlock. And all without Baker & Powell. Here’s how the game unfolded in real time:
–
Huge United following speaks volumes about Sheffield’s form and ambition. With Stoke having little to play for in their last few games, it will take a gigantic effort to un-seat these Premier-wannabes. Rhys Norrington-Davies returns. Oh joy! Out of ALL 22 players, yes, ALL 22 players, Josh Maja decides not to take the knee. uh? (Turns out Maja has a LONG history of knee injuries. True story. Look it up.)
–
3.50 Jacob Brown beats 3 players and makes you wonder if he’s really a Stoke player. United crowd less enamoured by Tymon’s wayward shooting. Things can only get better (as the poet once said).
–
15.50 Ref gets the ball in his face, and goes down in a heap. Great mirth in the crowd. Hope he didn’t swallow his whistle!!! Eventually, he rises, but doesn’t seem to know what year it is. He thinks Cameron is prime minister and we’re still in the EU!
–
22.55 Jacob Brown clearly been told to shoot at every opportunity, but the supporters behind the goal are suffering!!
–
36.40 So far, it’s Phil Jagielka who is looking like a real footballer, dispossessing Norrington like he could do it all day. Meanwhile, Vrancic is out-wrestled in midfield in a bizarre footballing moment.
–
45+2 HT 0-0.
–
Attendance is 22,631, which sounds about right, particularly with this large but somewhat muted United following. Poor things.
–
52.22 Brilliant move with Joe Allen feeding Maja to cross for Wright-Phillips, but it’s just reached by defender full stretch.
–
54.01 Wright-Phillips beats 3 players and goes down in the box. Looks like a penalty. Jagielka then shows silky skills, before a manhandled Maja almost connects with a great cross (another penalty?), and then Tymon’s cross somehow isn’t converted by Wright or Maja! Thompson then gets in on the act with a superb tackle/block in his own area. Suddenly it’s a real football match!!
–
61.20 Jake Brown makes a dangerous tackle in his own area, but thankfully the ref is having none of United’s shenanigans. Replay thankfully supports this!
–
63.22 Sawyers replaces Vrancic as the game gets more and more physical…
–
68.10 Sawyers is everywhere, even taking a shot just past the far post. Meanwhile Tyrese comes on for Wright-Phillips. About time?
–
72.22 Tymon finally makes a decent shot!
–
76.58 1-0!!! And now Tymon scores, creeping in from the left (where else??), and hitting a deflected shot past Wes Foderingham! Pandemonium! Goal could be awarded to John Egan (og)! Really?!
–
85.50 The other Josh, Josh “knee-man” Maja is replaced by Fletch, who needs to talk to Benny Wilmot about haircuts. Just saying.
–
89.40 Tymon goes down with an injury but ref refuses the physios on. Play restarts and United almost score, then hobbling Tymon can get treatment. Crazy. Tymon is then made man of the match?!? What about PhilJ?!?
–
90+4 United contained, FT City 1 United 0.
