Blades Season Review: Part 3

Last updated : 13 June 2003 By @blades_mad1889

Kop That: Michael Tonge Hammers Home The Winner Against Liverpool
The first game of 2003 gave United there first win as they over came Cheltenham Town 4-0 in FA Cup round 3, the goals where scored by Jon-Paul McGovern, Shaun Murphy and two by Steve Kabba. Shortly after McGovern returned to Celtic after Neil Warnock failed to convince Martin O'Neil that he wanted to keep him until end of the season.

Liverpool was the next victims for United, the most anticipated fixture so far was a cracking game. The game was the first of four games to be shown live on SKY TV in a row, late in the first half young Neil Mellor took the lead for the lead when he headed home a Danny Murphy free-kick. In the second half the Blades ran the show and equalised with 15 minutes left, Stuart McCall shoved ball in front of goal and Michael Tonge finished with style before completing his brace with World Class strike to beat the

Peter Ndlovu Scores A Memorable Goal At Fratton Park
giants of Liverpool 2-1.

A real difficult game was on hand as they played top of the league Portsmouth at Fratton Park, again in front of SKY. United won 2-1 with goals from Peter Ndlovu and Michael Brown.

Another great game on SKY saw the Blades hammer there most feared rivals, Sheffield Wednesday took the lead through Alan Quinn but Steve Kabba drew level and Michael Brown hit a stunning volley to send the home fans in jubilation and Wayne 'The Chief' Allison finished them off.

Alan Quinn Gives Wednesday The Lead
The second leg at Anfield saw United go out in a 2-0 defeat, Liverpool took the lead within 10 minutes of the game but United managed to hold on to extra-time but Michael Owen scored within that period to send the eventual winners to the grand final.

Though the Worthington Cup run was over a new one began as they over came Ipswich Town at Bramall Lane. Michael Brown (2 goals) and Phil Jagielka gave Blades a comfortable lead but Town scored three goals in three minutes to draw level and send the tie to a replay but Paul Peschisolido knocked in a very late winner to take United through to round five.

The following game was not so great as they lost 1-0 away at Millwall before facing Ipswich Town again at Portman Road. Things where going great when United were 2-0 with Peter Ndlovu and Dean Windass goals but things seem to turn sour when Town striker Pablo Counago was sent off as Town somehow eventually win 3-2.

Back to FA Cup action against Walsall at Bramall Lane for the Blades, having lost there previous two games fans wondered if they would

Stuart McCall Chases After Owls Leon Knight
reach the next round. However they did, Tommy Mooney opened up the scoring in the first half after James Walker found Michael Brown's shot too hot to handle and Brown set up the second goal as his pin point cross found the head of Peter Ndlovu who had a empty net to aim at.

Rading followed the Saddlers game and despite taking the lead through a Michael Brown free-kick the Blades lost 3-1 at home and lot 1-0 to Norwich City, again at home.

The South Yorkshire Derby against Rotherham United was next up on the Blades calendar as United looked to get over the bad run of form, they replied in the best possible way with a 2-1 victory in front of live SKY TV, the Blades opened the scoring on 19th minute mark when Steve Kabba was hacked down in the area and Michael Brown gladly converted the spot kick. In the second half 1-0 became 2-0 when Peter Ndlovu's shot was parried away by keeper Mike Pollit but Kabba was on hand to hit in the rebound while Alan Lee scored a late penalty for the home side.

After that memorable victory against the Millers United followed up by hammering Grimsby Town in there own back yard. Dean Windass and Steve Kabba put the Blades 2-0 up before defender Robert Kozluk notched his first ever Blades goal. The Mariners pulled one back all three points was secured when Michael Brown scored a trademark goal.

A magnificent 1-0 win against Leeds United in FA Cup saw United go into Semi-Final, Steve Kabba scored the goal with 15 minutes remaining. Another home win was on the cards against Burnley just days later, Michael Brown and Peter Ndlovu each scored a brace but Burnley managed two but the game was more-or-less over as they romped to a 4-2 victory.