Sheffield United

Man City v Sheff Utd
Manchester City keeper Nicky Weaver is a doubt after suffering a back injury in training, so teenager Joe Hart stands by for his Premiership debut. Micah Richards (calf) and Stephen Ireland (hamstring) are struggling but DaMarcus Beasley and Hatem Trabelsi are expected to be involved. Sheffield United keeper Paddy Kenny has a hamstring strain and is a major doubt, so Ian Bennett stands by. Striker Colin Kazim-Richards (knee) could also miss out. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Man City (from): Weaver, Hart, Distin, Dunne, Jordan, M Mills, Richards, Trabelsi, Barton, Hamann, Ireland, Reyna, Miller, Beasley, Sinclair, Corradi, Dickov, Samaras. Sheff Utd (from): Kenny, Bennett, Bromby, Unsworth, Davis, Morgan, Short, Sommeil, Armstrong, Leigertwood, Kozluk, Jagielka, Ifill, Gillespie, A Quinn, Hulse, Akinbiyi, Nade, Kazim-Richards, Kabba, Webber, Montgomery. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce on the newly-promoted teams: \"Wigan and West Ham didn't seem to have a problem with coming up last season. \"Reading don't this time around and Sheffield United aren't in the bottom three at the moment either. \"Teams are coming in with their eyes open a bit more, if you go back two or three years they were not as prepared.\" Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock on Joey Barton's availability after avoiding an FA suspension: \"I didn't want him to be banned. \"He's got a bit of a reputation but he did a good thing by giving his shirt to a disabled supporter after the match. \"After that he made a slight gesture to the fans, which was nothing really.\"

Man City 0-0 Sheff Utd
Sheffield United pulled themselves out of the relegation zone after a goalless draw with Manchester City at Eastlands. Bernardo Corradi missed two chances to give City an early lead while Rob Hulse came close for the Blades when his overhead kick hit the bar. City pushed harder after the break and substitute Ishmael Miller saw his header dip over the bar while Sylvain Distin followed suit late on. The match should have had goals but with both misfiring a draw was fair. After 10 minutes waiting out an ineffectual spell of possession from the home side, Sheffield United switched the momentum in their favour. Alan Quinn tested City's teenage goalkeeper Joe Hart, who was making his debut in place of the injured Nicky Weaver, with a curling shot from the left. Then Colin Kazim-Richards wriggled clear of a sluggish City defence only to flick his weak right-footed shot wide from an ambitious 35 yards out. Hart, 18, settled his nerves as he punched Keith Gillespie's cross away from a waiting Hulse but, despite a handful of chances, United lacked a decent final touch. Corradi was having similar problems at the opposite end as he twice failed to convert his chances, first scooping a shot off his shin over the bar and then misdirecting his header after doing well to receive Joey Barton's free-kick. With both sides full of bluster but no real threat, a bit of class from veteran Dietmar Hamann handed City their best chance of the half. The former Liverpool midfielder picked out Georgios Samaras on the left wing with a lifted pass. Samaras used the space to surge forward and fired in an angled shot but Paddy Kenny did enough to bundle the ball to safety. Hulse went close for the Blades just before the break when he picked up Claude Davis' header and rattled the cross bar with an athletic overhead kick. City had a let off within minutes of the restart. Leigh Bromby's cross caused jitters in their defence but Hart controlled his juggling hands to clear the danger. Stuart Pearce's side were intent on turning the match in their favour but lacked the necessary sense of urgency. Some patient build-up play from Samaras resulted in a tame right-footed effort which sailed wide and Corradi seemed to be in slow motion when he struck his shot at Kenny, who had plenty of time to lean down for the save. The pair were unlucky again minutes later when Corradi's header from Micah Richards' cross was saved and Samaras blasted the follow-up wide. Lively City substitute Miller seemed set to break the deadlock when he picked up Barton's chipped cross only to see his powerful header sky over the bar while he tumbled into the back of the net. Sheffield United almost stole maximum points when Hulse played in Michael Tongue only for Richards to make a superb interception to prevent him teeing-up a shot. Urged on by the crowd, City produced a rousing finish with Samaras and Sylvain Distin going close. But some excellent Blades defending, particularly from the solid Davis, kept City at bay and Pearce had to settle for a point, enough to preserve City's unbeaten home record.

Law extends contract with Blades
Sheffield United midfielder Nicky Law has agreed a two-year contract extension which will keep him at Bramall Lane until 2009. The 18-year-old was signed up by the Blades' academy in 2002, and has made one appearance this season. Blades boss Neil Warnock told United's website: \"I'm absolutely delighted. I have every confidence in him becoming an established player for us. \"He has an eye for goal. This will give other academy lads extra incentive.\" Law said: \"I'm obviously pleased because my contract was up at the end of the season, so to be offered another one shows United want to keep me. \"I'm enjoying it here, everything is going well at the moment, and I hope to progress and make a proper breakthrough.\"

Everton 2-0 Sheff Utd
Goals from Mikel Arteta and James Beattie sank 10-man Sheffield United and kept up Everton's unbeaten record at Goodison Park this season. Arteta rose well to head home Phil Neville's cross after 13 minutes. Beattie doubled the lead from the penalty spot 19 minutes later after Claude Davis was harshly sent off for bundling over Andy Johnson in the box. The lively Johnson also hit the post as Everton eased to a win, leaving United still without an away goal this season. Injuries in Everton's full-back department meant Joleon Lescott and Neville were shifted out to the flanks. And it was Neville's excellent cross that created Everton's opener after 13 minutes, Arteta leaping well to power home a header past Paddy Kenny. Spearheaded by the pacy Johnson, Everton were good value for their lead with Sheffield United creating nothing of note for much of the first half. The Blades' hopes were effectively quashed just after the half-hour mark when Davis was dismissed for bringing down Johnson. Arteta and Johnson had combined well to break through the visitors' defence and with the England international bearing down on goal, he tangled with the pursuing Davis. Contact seemed minimal but referee Dermot Gallagher, in his first Premiership game after being demoted for only booking Ben Thatcher for his elbow on Pedro Mendes in August, reached straight for his red card. Beattie smacked home the resulting penalty for his second goal of the season. Blades boss Neil Warnock had to shuffle his formation but, ironically, United then looked more like scoring. Chris Morgan should have done better when heading wide when unmarked in the six-yard box and Tim Howard pulled off a point-blank save to foil Colin Kazim-Richards' flick on from Rob Hulse's header. Minutes later, Hulse weaved past the Everton defence but Howard manage to palm his shot wide. With Everton holding a two-goal cushion and the Blades' cutting edge blunted by losing a man, the second half was less frenetic. Substitute James McFadden went closest to extending Everton's lead when his powerful header was well saved by Kenny. United did continue to plug on in search of clawing something out of the game, Mikele Leigertwood flashing his shot wide when put through by Chris Armstong straight after the break. And a late rally saw Leigh Bromby shrugging off McFadden's clumsy challenge to set up Danny Webber but his shot was blocked by Howard. But ultimately it proved another blank day for United, who have the worst attack in the Premiership with just four goals in nine games. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Everton boss David Moyes on his team's first win in six Premiership games: \"It was good to get back to winning ways, I'm really pleased with that. \"We had to work hard for it, even when they were down to 10 men. \"That is our most important win of the season after the way the last few games have gone. It's got us right back in it.\" Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock on Claude Davis' red card: \"I don't blame Johnson for going down. \"I don't think it is anything like a penalty. The referee blew too early. \"Claude Davis id quick and got back goal-side of the lad, who realised he wasn't going to get a shot on goal and (went) down.\" Everton: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Weir, Lescott, Davies, Carsley, Cahill, Arteta, Johnson, Beattie. Subs: Turner, McFadden, Osman, Anichebe, Boyle. Sheff Utd: Kenny, Bromby, Davis, Jagielka, Armstrong, Gillespie, Tonge, Leigertwood, Alan Quinn, Hulse, Kazim-Richards. Subs: Morgan, Webber, Kabba, Kozluk, Nade. Referee: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire)

Sheff Utd appeal Davis red card
Sheffield United have submitted a claim of wrongful dismissal with the Football Association following Claude Davis' sending off against Everton. The 27-year-old defender received a red card from referee Dermot Gallagher for bringing down Andrew Johnson when through on goal in the penalty area. Blades boss Neil Warnock criticised Gallagher after the match for sending off Davis. A disciplinary commission will consider the claim on Tuesday.

Blades lose appeal on Davis card
Sheffield United have had their claim for wrongful dismissal over Claude Davis' red card against Everton rejected by the Football Association. The defender was sent off by referee Dermot Gallagher for bringing down Andrew Johnson when the striker was through on goal in the penalty area. After the game Blades boss Neil Warnock criticised Gallagher for the decision. Davis, 27, will miss Tuesday's Carling Cup tie with Birmingham but is available to face Chelsea on Saturday.

Promotion pushes Blades into red
Soaring wages and bonus payments at newly-promoted Sheffield United have helped push the club almost £10m into the red, its annual results reveal. The club made an operating loss of £9.6m for the year to 30 June, compared with a loss of £1.05m the year before. The wage bill rose by £3.3m and the club forked out Premiership promotion bonus payments of £2.3m. But it said it would benefit from a significant increase in TV revenue and sponsorship in the coming year. City analysts estimate the club could receive about £20m in revenue from lucrative television contracts this year. 'Successful strategy' Club chairman Kevin McCabe said: \"In simple terms, we paid significant transfer fees for quality new players either prior to or during the Championship season. \"These players in turn increased the annual football wage bill to a level in excess of what otherwise could normally be afforded. \"Additionally, bonus payments to the management team and playing squad earned as a result of promotion amounted to £2.3m. \"The strategy succeeded and this year sees a major increase of revenue forthcoming from the lucrative broadcasting contracts that benefit clubs in the Premiership. \"Thus, I trust shareholders will accept that the benefits of Sheffield United FC achieving promotion outweigh the high annual loss for the year under review.\"

Sheff Utd v Chelsea
Sheffield United defender Claude Davis returns from a one-match ban to face champions Chelsea. The Blades are set to make wholesale changes from their Carling Cup defeat by Birmingham but Colin Kazim-Richards (knee) is their only injury doubt. Carlo Cudicini is set to return for Chelsea two weeks after he was knocked unconscious at Reading in the same game that Petr Cech fractured his skull. Blues boss Jose Mourinho has a fully fit outfield squad to choose from. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheffield United (from): Kenny, Bennett, Bromby, Unsworth, Davis, Morgan, Short, Sommeil, Armstrong, Leigertwood, Kozluk, Jagielka, Ifill, Gillespie, A Quinn, Hulse, Akinbiyi, Nade, Kazim-Richards, Kabba, Webber, Montgomery. Chelsea (from): Cudicini, Hilario, Ferreira, Boulahrouz, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole, Bridge, Geremi, Makelele, Essien, Lampard, Ballack, Mikel, J Cole, Kalou, Wright-Phillips, Robben, Drogba, Shevchenko. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock: \"You hope you don't concede an early goal because Chelsea are that good that they will shut up shop. \"So we have to be on our toes and be very professional especially in defence because of the quality they have. \"We've got to play way above our own standards and maintain it for 90 minutes whilst Chelsea have got to be below par. \"Hopefully Chelsea won't like playing an early kick-off, up north and in blustery weather.\" Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho: \"When a team rests 11 players and gives up a competition like the Carling Cup to play against Chelsea it is because they are motivated for this game. \"But we don't have less motivation. It is three points we want to get. \"We are doing well at the moment. The last 11 matches in all competitons we have only had one draw and we didn't deserve to draw against Aston Villa.\"

Akinbiyi and Davis resolve feud
Sheffield United says the row between team-mates Ade Akinbiyi and Claude Davis has now been resolved. A blade was reportedly used in a training ground bust-up, but an internal investigation found little more than \"a difference of opinion\". \"They did have a difference of opinion, the sort of which occurs often in dressing-rooms,\" the club stated. \"No razors or knives were involved, the pair have shaken hands and the disagreement has been resolved.\" The row is thought to have stemmed from a comment Akinbiyi made towards the Jamaican defender following Davis' sending-off against Everton in their 2-0 defeat at Goodison last Saturday. Akinbiyi told the Daily Mail: \"There was a lot of argy-bargy, but that was about it.\" It was reported that Davis approached his team-mate while holding a razor but Akinbiyi said: \"I'm not saying he did or didn't pull out a razor. There was a row that lasted about two minutes.\" The argument is understood to have taken place at the club's training ground on Monday in front of the coaching staff while boss Neil Warnock was away. Warnock said: \"I don't know anything about this whatsoever, and I'm close enough to know if something like that had happened. It sounds like rubbish.\"

Sheff Utd 0-2 Chelsea
Sheffield United paid the penalty for a first-half spot-kick miss as champions Chelsea coasted to a comfortable win. Henrique Hilario had little difficulty in saving Danny Webber's poorly taken penalty after Didier Drogba was adjuged to have fouled Claude Davis. Frank Lampard put Chelsea in front just before the break, with a swerving free-kick that fooled Paddy Kenny. Early in the second-half, Lampard crossed for Michael Ballack, who made it 2-0 with a powerful far-post header. If Webber had scored, the course of the game might have been different, but once he had missed, Chelsea steadily assumed control. Jose Mourinho's side had the better of the possession and in Lampard and Ballack, players who were able to turn that dominance into goals. The one worry for Chelsea, who play Barcelona in midweek in the Champions League, was that the in-form Drogba did not emerge for the second half due to a foot injury. United also lost a player in the first half, Michael Tonge limping off early on, after he fell awkardly on his ankle after tackling Joe Cole. Before Drogba's withdrawal the Ivory Coast striker had a busy time of it - unusually in his own penalty area. Drogba did well to slide in ahead of Davis after Alan Quinn's cross had got past Hilario. Soon after Drogba again found himself marking Davis, though this time referee Martin Atkinson ruled the Chelsea striker fouled the United defender they both went for the ball. To Chelsea's relief, Hilario comfortably saved Webber's underhit penalty. Either side of Webber's penalty, both teams claimed they should have been awarded spot-kicks. Ricardo Carvalho might have been penalised for using his arm to stop Rob Hulse's jump, while after Webber's miss Chelsea appealed when Paulo Ferriera's tumbled following a Davis challenge. It was not until the latter stages of the opening half that Chelsea began to create clear chances. A cross from Ballack almost saw Chris Armstrong put the ball into his own net as he tried to clear under pressure from Arjen Robben. Kenny did well to quickly to push away Lampard's close-range header, though soon after the United keeper's reactions proved altogether slower. Lampard's long-range free-kick swerved marginally and with Kenny diving too early, the ball nestled in the middle of the net. Lampard's goal might have had an element of fortunte about it, but there was nothing lucky about Chelsea's second. Some slick combination play between Robben and Lampard provided the space for the England international to hang up a cross that Ballack forcefully headed in. With a two-goal cushion, Chelsea should have won more comfortably, but Lampard shot over from a good position, while Robben was denied by Kenny after the United defence was carved apart.

Sheff Utd 0-2 Chelsea
Sheffield United paid the price for a first-half penalty miss as champions Chelsea coasted to a comfortable win. Henrique Hilario had little difficulty in saving Danny Webber's poorly-taken spot-kick after Didier Drogba was adjuged to have fouled Claude Davis. Frank Lampard put Chelsea in front just before the break, with a swerving free-kick that fooled Paddy Kenny. Early in the second-half Lampard crossed for Michael Ballack, who made it 2-0 with a powerful far-post header. If Webber had scored the course of the game might have been different, but once he had missed, Chelsea steadily assumed control. Jose Mourinho's side had the better of the possession and in Lampard and Ballack, players who were able to turn that dominance into goals. The one worry for Chelsea, who play Barcelona in midweek in the Champions League, was that the in-form Drogba did not emerge for the second half due to a foot injury. United also lost a player in the first half, Michael Tonge limping off early on, after he fell awkardly on his ankle after tackling Joe Cole. Before Drogba's withdrawal the Ivory Coast striker had a busy time of it - unusually in his own penalty area. Drogba did well to slide in ahead of Claude Davis after Alan Quinn's cross had got past Hilario. Soon after Drogba again found himself marking Davis, though this time referee Martin Atkinson ruled the Chelsea striker fouled that the United defender for a penalty. To Chelsea's relief, Hilario comfortably saved Webber's underhit spot-kick. Either side of Webber's penalty, both teams claimed they should have been awarded spot-kicks. Ricardo Carvalho might have been penalised for using his arm to stop Rob Hulse's jump, while after Webber's miss Chelsea appealed when Paulo Ferriera tumbled following a Davis challenge. It was not until the latter stages of the opening half that Chelsea began to create clear chances. A cross from Ballack almost saw Chris Armstrong put the ball into his own net as he tried to clear under pressure from Arjen Robben. Kenny did well to quickly to push away Lampard's close-range header, though soon after the United keeper's reactions proved altogether slower. Lampard's long-range free-kick swerved marginally and with Kenny diving too early, the ball ended up in the middle of the net. Lampard's goal might have had an element of fortunte about it, but there was nothing lucky about Chelsea's second. Some slick combination play between Robben and Lampard provided the space for the England international to hang up a cross that Ballack forcefully headed in. With a two-goal cushion, Chelsea should have won more comfortably, but Lampard shot over from a good position, while Robben was denied by Kenny after the United defence was carved apart. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock: \"We are a little bit naive. Their players sometimes go down where we stumble on. We have to learn what to do in certain situations. \"We will be looking to add some quality in January but we need to stick in there in the meantime. \"We are easy to referee because we never try to convince him.\" Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho: \"Hilario is amazing. He is cool and comfortable in goal and I think the penalty save was a three-point save. \"If Hilario doesn't save it maybe we are in trouble.\"

Blades hold bottle investigation
Sheffield United have launched an investigation after a plastic bottle was thrown at Chelsea's Frank Lampard at Bramall Lane last Saturday. The Football Association will ask the Blades for more information on the incident, which occurred when Lampard went to take a corner at the Kop end. The club were unaware the event had happened until the England player told the press after the match. Blues boss Jose Mourinho said the offender should be jailed. He told the Daily Mail: \"If we can catch him and send him home or get him to spend a night in jail, that would be perfect. \"But it wouldn't be fair to punish the club or 30,000 fans.\" Lampard attempted to play down the incident, saying: \"It was only a plastic water bottle and there are no hard feelings for me. \"I know it's not something you want to see but if it had landed on me I might have felt different. \"There was quite good banter in the far corner and nothing nasty aimed at me.\" It is unlikely Sheffield United will face any action themselves. An FA spokesman stated: \"The important matter in occasions such as this is identifying the individual to ensure they are properly dealt with.\"

Newcastle v Sheffield Utd
Newcastle will make changes having played in Europe 48 hours earlier. Key trio Damien Duff, Stephen Carr and Scott Parker should figure, Giuseppe Rossi is available again and goalkeeper Steve Harper faces a late fitness test. Sheffield United midfielder Michael Tonge misses the trip with an ankle injury so Nick Montgomery will come in. Rob Kozluk and Derek Geary are battling to replace injured right-back Leigh Bromby who has a hamstring strain, as does striker Ade Akinbiyi. Newcastle (from): Harper, Krul, Taylor, Moore, Bramble, Carr, Bernard, Ramage, Parker, Solano, Milner, Emre, N'Zogbia, Duff, Pattison, Rossi, Sibierski, Luque, Carroll. Sheffield United (from): Kenny, Bennett, Unsworth, Davis, Morgan, Short, Sommeil, Armstrong, Leigertwood, Kozluk, Jagielka, Ifill, Gillespie, A Quinn, Hulse, Nade, Kazim-Richards, Kabba, Webber, Montgomery, Geary. # Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder on playing twice in three days: \"It was a schedule already decided in July. \"Our preparations will be different in that we are staying here in Palermo until Friday evening and will move to a hotel in Newcastle on Friday night. \"It is not ideal playing again in 48 hours, but that is the situation and we will take a positive approach and prepare for the game.\" # Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock on Newcastle playing two games in three days: \"We had no qualms about putting it back 24 hours and we made that clear to them. \"Players are so professional these days that I don't think it will give us any kind of advantage. \"Anyway, I don't think it will make a lot of difference because 50,000 Geordies will be behind them.\"

Sheff Utd 2-2 Bolton
A cool finish from Colin Kazim-Richards earned Sheffield United a valuable draw after they bounced back from a two-goal deficit against Bolton. The second-half substitute made Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen pay for a poor clearance with a cool curling shot from the right side of the area. El-Hadji Diouf gave Bolton the lead with a firm strike before Kevin Davies added the second with a low drive. Rob Hulse made it 2-1 when he headed in Mikele Leigertwood's right-wing cross. The Blades were looking for their second successive Premiership win following victory over beleaguered Newcastle at St James' Park last week. However, after a bright opening, Neil Warnock's troops were soon embroiled in a physical battle that Sam Allardyce's men are so adept at playing. It would be unfair to simply brand Bolton as a 'physical' team after all that attribute alone does not win games. And although the touchline-based Warnock was clearly riled by some of Bolton's play, and also by some of referee Alan Wiley's decisions, he must have admired the visitors' energy and passion. United did go close through two Chris Morgan headers, but it was largely one-way traffic towards their own goal. Kevin Nolan saw his half-volley fizzle just wide of Paddy Kenny's left-hand upright before a low volley from the sprightly Idan Tal was deflected narrowly off target. Defender Morgan was then kept busy at his own end, blocking Davies' shot after the striker dwindled too long inside the penalty area. The Trotters were finally rewarded for their endeavour when Diouf, who was predictably jeered by the opposition fans, collected Pedersen's long ball before brushing past Phil Jagielka and tucking in his side's opener. Tal made Kenny produce an outstanding save from his volley before he turned provider for the second goal. The Israel international teed the ball up for Davies, following a sparkling move, who then drilled home from the edge of the area low into Kenny's bottom right. So at 2-0 down it appeared all over for one of the relegation favourites. But Warnock's men were not ready to give in so easily. Defender Leigertwood sped down the left to deliver a wicked ball into Hulse who bulleted home his header. The men in red and white had come to life and they made Bolton pay again within three minutes. Jaaskelainen failed to get any sort of clearance from the edge of the area and the ball arrived at the feet of Kazim-Richards who kept his cool to curl in his shot past Bolton's defence and the despairing dive of their keeper. The Blades held on to the point thanks to an excellent point-blank save by Kenny from Abdoulaye Faye's shot late on.

Warnock furious after Kenny brawl
Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock says he has no sympathy for Paddy Kenny after the goalkeeper had his eyebrow bitten off in a fight. The 28-year-old was involved in a brawl in Halifax on Monday. Warnock told SSB: \"He's let himself down and I think he's more embarrassed about it than anything else. This should have been avoided. \"The lads have got to learn that wherever you are when you're a Premiership footballer, you're news.\" Warnock, whose side take on Premiership leaders Manchester United at Bramall Lane on Saturday, added: \"I've told Paddy in the past he shouldn't be going out in Halifax. \"All of a sudden he's back out and it isn't a coincidence. He's let himself down. \"He won't be going out in Halifax again. He knows he's let me down, but things happen with young lads like that.\" Republic of Ireland keeper Kenny is often the subject of jibes about his weight from rival fans and Warnock joked: \"He takes a lot of pressure off me because of the chants he gets during a game. \"You asked is he big enough, I think the answer to that would be yes!\"

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