Last Time: Blades 3-0 Rangers (16/07/2008)

Last updated : 13 September 2009 By BME

Sharp opened the scoring in the first few minutes. He doubled his goal tally by breaking away and drilled the ball into the bottom corner. Another one was on it's way in the second half as he scored in front of the Kop in a goal mouth scramble.

Blackwell named the same eleven who begun the encounter against Birmingham last week. As the players emerged from the tunnel a flag reading 'More than just a football club, it's a way of life", scrolled above the heads of the United faithful on the Kop.

Greg Halford was brought in to bring more strength on the right side. His major weapon is undoubtly his long throw-ins. He got his first assist of the season and threw a long throw into the 6 yard area which met the poaching Billy Sharp who could direct a diving header into the bottom corner.

Rangers lost the ball in United's half when Gary Speed could steal the ball off former Blade Leigertwood. He ran a lengthy run down the pitch and laid the ball off to the onside Billy Sharp who could roll the ball past the stranded Cerny in the QPR goal.

The Blades were looking for a third on 15 minutes but couldn't make it three in their third chance when Henderson headed towards goal but Cerny could save.

Leigertwood didn't impress when he returned to the Lane when his effort blazed over the crossbar. Morgan slid in well when QPR attacked but got his ankles clipped and had a smack on the head. Play was stopped for a few minutes until he uncertainty got back onto his feet.

He continued to play for five more minutes but had be substituted when he was unable to play any more. Ugo Ehiogu replaced him. It has turned out that when he came off he didn't know anything what had happened in the opening stages and he was taken to hospital straight away with concussion.

Sharp was disappointed when he couldn't complete his hat-trick before the halfway mark. He shot wide. A standing ovation for the players occurred when the referee blew for half-time.

A handful of entertainment was provided at half-time with one lucky supporter winning a trip to the destination of Malta courtesy of VisitMalta.com and Junior Blades pushed two giant inflatable balls.

Sharp was raring to go when he got on the score sheet almost straight away. Ehiogu did well to head the ball down into the danger area which caused a scramble when Billy Sharp slotted home from close-range in front of the cheerful Kop.

Henderson wanted to give his strike partner a chance to get a fourth when he headed the ball down to him. Sharp confidently volley hard towards goal which could be stopped by Cerny.

QPR nearly got a consolation goal when Ledesma's strike rebounded off the post when Blackstock was destine to score from close-range. But wait there, Ehiogu became hero when he slided in and wrapped his legs around Blackstock to halt Rangers scoring.

Kilgallon slipped up as Blackstock drilled his ball down low but Kenny saved with his legs and put the ball wide. Hall headed over from the consequent corner.

Queens Park Rangers won a free-kick close to the area. Parejo curled it round the United wall when Kenny had to rush over to the other side of his goal to parry the ball away.

Tonge had a opportunity at goal but blasted his effort high and wide. Henderson nearly broke his goalscoring deadlock but Hall could block.

Kenny saved Parejo's free-kick again and threw the ball as far as possible which met the striding David Cotterill who replaced Halford earlier on in the half. Cotterill skimmed the defenders and crossed a ball to Quinn but he volleyed over.

Hat-trick hero Billy Sharp was changed for Danny Webber who was unlucky to receive a place on the bench after an inspiring performance in mid-week. Henderson was again denied his first goal for the club when he was caught in the offside trap.

The Blades were rewarded with their first three points of the campaign in a game which sent all 25,000 Blades home with smiles on their faces.