Blades Progress In Carabao League Cup

Last updated : 10 August 2017 By @blades_mad1889

Sheffield United's Nathan Thomas (right) and Walsall's Kieron Morris battle for the ball. 

Three goals in eight second half minutes ensured United made it into round two. United had to come from behind, after Walsall had taken a first-half lead, but an own goal as well as strikes from Nathan Thomas and Daniel Lafferty sent the Blades on course for victory. The visitors netted a penalty towards the close of the 90 minutes.

Blades boss Chris Wilder named a predictable line-up by changing the entire XI which had won 1-0 on the opening day against Brentford. Jake Wright was named captain, whilst new signings John Lundstrum and Nathan Thomas were handed full debuts. John Brayford also started at right wing back. Ched Evans was on the bench and would play a pivotal part in the second half.

The early exchanges brought a slow start, with the first opportunity on goal falling to the visitors after 11 minutes, which saw the United defence twice fail to clear their lines before Lundstrum blocked a Morris effort.

The first goal of the match wasn't far behind. On 13 minutes Oztumer charged down the left flank before picking out an unmarked BAKAYOKO, who slotted home in front of the Kop end. United regrouped and within minutes came close to levelling the score. A free-kick was kept out but Duffy recycled and his cross was headed down by Hanson and Brayford's shot was blocked before Lavery was crowded out.

United ended the half slightly the better side and carved out a good opportunity before the break. A Brayford pass had put Lavery around the back but his ball across the box evaded Hanson as well as the other players around him.

The first five minutes of the second half saw both sides create chances. Duffy's cross saw opposition keeper Gillespie flap but recovered to produce a save from Lavery's shot, and at the other end, a volley from Edwards looked goal wards until Wright headed over his own crossbar to safety.

Making an enforced change, Evans replaced an injured Hanson seven minutes into the second half, and soon after Basham replaced Bennett. It was a move which would pay dividends. Lundstram saw his effort deflect wide just after the hour mark

United were now forcing the visitors back and on 74 minutes got the leveller they so richly deserved. Lafferty's header found Thomas and his cross saw Evans half-volley at goal, keeper Gillespie got a hand onto it but knocked in onto his defender ROBERTS who know little about it as it bounced into the net.

That goal caused a wave and from then on was one way traffic as the Blades netted a second, and a third. Evans was again involved on 79 minutes as he pulled the ball back for THOMAS to lash home in a crowded box.

A third goal was to follow three minutes later. Duffy's free-kick was cleared to the edge of the area and LAFFERY smashed home by the aid of a deflection. Walsall were handed a lifeline moments from time when Kouhyar's powerful strike struck the arm of Basham. A penalty was awarded and OTZUMER duly dispatched.

Four minutes of added on time was announced but the hosts kept play calm to book a place in the next round.

Sheffield United: Eastwood, Lundstram, Thomas, Wright, Hanson (Evans 52), Duffy, Lavery (Fleck 86), Lafferty, Brayford, Bennett (Basham 58), Brooks. Unused: Stevens, Clarke, Coutts, Blackman.

Walsall: Gillespie, Edwards, Leahy, Guthrie, Devlin, Chambers, Roberts, Oztumer, Morris, Kinsella (Kouhyar 83), Bakayoko (Jackson 74). Unused: Flanagan, Sangha, Cockerill-Mollett, Candlin.