Middlesbrough 1-0 Sheff Utd (aet)
Paddy Kenny's own goal six minutes from the end of extra time sank Sheffield United to gift Middlesbrough an FA Cup quarter-final at home to Cardiff.
Highlights
First Half
Extra Time Goal
The Blades' keeper could only turn Mido's shot over the line after his effort had rebounded off an upright.
Boro had dominated a low-key affair, with Brazilian striker Afonso Alves twice forcing Kenny into fine saves.
But the Championship side looked set to take the tie to penalties until Kenny's late stroke of ill-fortune.
Alves was given his first start since his £12.7m move from Heerenveen - and he justified the selection with a lively display.
He should have opened the scoring after eight minutes, but he headed Fabio Rochemback's corner wide of an open goal.
Rochemback then produced a brilliant flick to send in Stewart Downing, but he sent an angled right-foot drive wide as Middlesbrough continued to force the pace.
Alves tried his luck from long range 11 minutes before the interval, and Blades' keeper Kenny was forced to punch away his powerful shot.
The Brazilian turned creator after 42 minutes when he played in Luke Young, but he provided a defender's finish and Kenny saved with comfort.
Sheffield United held Middlesbrough at arm's length in the early stages of the second half, with only Alves threatening to break the deadlock with another shot that Kenny saved low down.
Given Middlesbrough's need for firepower, it was a surprise when Alves was taken off with 18 minutes left and replaced by Tuncay Sanli - a decision that was not well received by the home supporters.
James Beattie had been a peripheral figure, but almost snatched victory for Sheffield United in injury time when presented with a chance at the near post, but he shot wide under pressure from Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer.
It was the last clear chance in normal time, and Downing tested Kenny six minutes into extra time as he forced him to save with his feet - the keeper recovering to save well from Tuncay at his near post.
The game had degenerated into a mediocre affair, but the deadlock was broken in truly bizarre fashion with six minutes remaining.
Mido's shot was deflected on to an upright, but as Kenny tried to retrieve the rebound he could only turn the ball over his own line.
Both sides had chances in a frantic final few minutes, with Sheffield United having strong penalty appeals waved away when Emanuel Pogatetz appeared to handle.
Team News
Middlesbrough are without Jeremie Aliadiere for the FA Cup fifth-round replay with Sheffield United after he failed in his appeal against a ban.
Record signing Afonso Alves could start for the first time while Gary O'Neil is available after illness, but Mohamed Shawky (hamstring) is not match fit.
Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell is boosted by the return of Ugo Ehiogu to fitness after a hamstring injury.
Lee Martin is also available after shaking off a rib injury.
About the Match
Sheffield United against Middlesbrough at Bramall Lane ended goalless; the only fifth round tie to require a replay.
Nine of the 731 clubs accepted into the 127th FA Cup are still dreaming of a place in the final at the new Wembley; four from the Premier League, four Championship clubs and one from League One.
The Teessiders and the Blades have appeared in a combined nine domestic semi-finals over 11 years.
Middlesbrough have never won the FA Cup, and face a lower ranked club who've lifted the trophy on four occasions.
Head to Head Details
All competitions
These clubs met in the Premier League last season, when both fixtures were won by the side playing at home. Sheffield United have not won on Teesside since a 1-2 triumph in the Championship on 5 October 1997.
FA Cup
These clubs have only been drawn against each other once previously; the Blades winning a home second round replay 3-0 in 1923 on their way to the semi-finals.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.