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Mikel Arteta handed the Toffees the lead as early as the 13th minute when he rose high to head home a Phil Neville cross. James Beattie added a second on 33 via the penalty spot after Andy Johnson was deemed to have been bundled over by Claude Davis in accordance to referee Dermot Gallagher; the jury however is still out on this decision.
Davis, a £3,000,000 summer buy from Preston North End paid the penalty for his actions and was subsequently showed a straight red card and will now serve a three match suspension. He will miss the League Cup tie against City as well as top flight games against Chelsea (h) and Newcastle United at St. James' Park.
Nick Montgomery is close to fitness after recovering from an ankle injury and played 90 minutes in last weeks reserve fixture at Manchester City and could make his comeback against the Championship side this Tuesday.
United however are expected to make a full change to the side that lost in Liverpool last Saturday, due to the aspirations of staying in the Premier League Neil Warnock will change his side to prevent injuries and suspensions to the first eleven.
Predicted Blades Line-Up: Ian Bennett, Robert Kozluk, David Sommeil, David Unsworth, Derek Geary, James Ashmore, Li Tie, Stephen Quinn, Nicky Law, Ade Akinbiyi, Christian Nadé.
Former Sheffield United boss Steve Bruce; now manager of the Midlands side overcame weeks of pressure to manage his side to a 1-0 victory against Derby County at Pride Park last Saturday. Stephen Clemence's late deflected strike handed the Blues the win.
The Blues scraped through their Second round encounter with Wrexham at St. Andrews with a 4-1 victory. It may should like a convincing win but the Championship outfit needed extra-time to force the Welsh minnows out. Cameron Jerome (41 minutes), Gary McSheffrey (102, 113) and Nicklas Bendtner (117) goals supplying the win with Chris Llwellyn (29) scoring for the visitors.
Blues Midfielder Damien Johnson returns to the fold after serving a three match suspension which he picked up a red card for violent conduct on 23 September in the 3-2 defeat against Leeds United. He started at Pride Park on Saturday and should follow this up at Bramall Lane.
Former Arsenal and England international Defender Matthew Upson is out with an unknown injury whilst former Chelsea striker Mikael Forssell is out with a troublesome knee.
Although a full strengthened squad on his books Steve Bruce could rest his more favourable players as the club look to regain Premiership status; currently lying 9th may also see temptation to field a less strong side against the Blades.
Predicted Blues Line-Up: Maik Taylor, Stephen Kelly, Martin Taylor, Radhi Jaidi, Matthew Sadler, Damien Johnson, Medhi Nafti, Stephen Clemence, Gary McSheffrey, David Dunn, Cameron Jerome.
Man in the Middle: Lee Mason (Lancashire)
- 23.04.2004 - Blades 1-1 Derby County
- 27.11.2004 - Blades 3-3 Wolverhampton Wanderers
- 30.04.2005 - Blades 0-1 Millwall
- 06.08.2005 - Blades 4-1 Leicester City
- 31.12.2005 - Blades 2-1 Stoke City
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 1-0 Birmingham City (aet)