In a game featuring eight goals and a half time lead for the Blades, the game ended ultimately in disappointment at the result but many United fans left the National Stadium full of pride for the effort and commitment of their side. Make no mistake, this time the Blades did turn up and gave it a real go. For 45 minutes United fans were dreaming of the unthinkable and an FA Cup Final as a superb performance saw them lead but a double substitution and a greater tempo from Hull saw United blown away at the start of the second half and suddenly before you knew it they were 4-2 down. A late comeback saw the hopes raised again but a final Hull goal ended the dream but not before a standing ovation from most United supporters inside the ground to acclaim the efforts they had put in.
United began the game with the expected line up with the eleven that has started much of the Cup run with Jose Baxter the most advanced of the United side playing in his now usual, ‘false 9’ role. Hull without the cup tied Jelavic and Long began with Sagbo up top alone supported by Emohamady, Meyler and Boyd, opting not to start with Fryatt or Aluko who were joined by Stephen Quinn on the bench. Perhaps a nod of respect from Steve Bruce in that City in affect tried to match up with United’s midfield numbers.
A minutes applause to remember the Hillsborough disaster was observed before at 4.07pm, the game kicked off.
The noise and numbers of fans were in United’s favour as they kicked away from the 33,000+ massed behind Mark Howard’s goal and to the sides on the West side (opposite to where United fans normally are housed at Wembley). As per the norm with United’s Wembley trips; the game began with many supporters bathed in bright sunshine but this time many felt this side could have a real go and were hoping that for once, the Blades would not freeze.
United did start confidently and Doyle and Scougall were industrious in the centre. Hull had the first opening but half-hearted appeals for a penalty were waved away when Elmohamady went down rather theatrically. United seemed the better to settle and were enjoying more of the ball. A decent move nearly saw Baxter in before Scougall’s probing led a spell of possession in the corner.
United’s good start was rewarded with a goal as after Coady received the short throw he played it back to the thrower, Brayford. He in turn took a touch and then whipped in a ferocious cross that was very dangerous for the Hull backline to defend; BAXTER got in front of his defender and clipped it into the net. There was pandemonium in the United end as the fans celebrated wildly. Many seemed genuinely shocked that the Blades had actually scored a goal at Wembley!
United then were on the attack again and after a series of neat passes, Scougall fired over. A spell of possession saw the ‘Ole’s’ from the United crowd who after so many limp previous performances here could probably scarcely believe what they were watching.
Despite this start, United had to be wary due to the quality Hull possessed but it was still the League One side who were enjoying more of the ball and looking more assured all over the field.
Against the run of the play, United’s excellent performance was checked with a bang as suddenly City were level.
The build up was neat and patient with a number of short passes and interchange down United’s left. Livermore fed Elmohamady who put in a low cross. Neither Maguire nor Brayford reacted and SAGBO run in unchecked and swept home. After being comfortably the better side, Hull had scored with pretty much their first real effort on goal.
Incredibly almost immediately after this goal, United went straight back up the other end to restore their lead and made it two goals at Wembley.
Murphy got the ball on the left and advanced deep into Hull territory going past Rosenior and into the area. He pulled the cross back with his unflavoured left foot and arriving right on cue was the diminutive SCOUGALL who smashed the ball home to send the United fans into ecstasy again!
United had to see out a final couple of minutes and despite a scare when Sagbo got in but was adjudged offside before he put the ball in the net; they got to the break in the lead with a deafening roar to greet the side as they came off.
At the break manager Bruce knew he had to change it and did so swiftly bringing off Boyd and Figueroa for Aluko and Fryatt. Hull now had two up top with Aluko just behind. The shape of the side had changed with them playing 10 yards further up the field but so had the energy levels of Hull. They were pressing and harrying and getting the ball and turning it forward quickly. They won a corner after some sloppy defending and then as the ball came in, it caromed around the box with a series of Hull touches leading to FRYATT applying the finish. It was a little fortunate but United’s defence had numerous opportunities to clear. United had needed to keep it tight for the opening but within four minutes of the restart they were pegged back.
Hull’s powerful start to the second half continued and Fryatt had the ball in the net again but was ruled offside. Then Maguire and Collins had to somehow keep out Sagbo as Hull came again.
It was unrelenting and the third Hull goal was not long coming. HUDDLESTONE had been kept in check by United in the first half but was now getting on the ball and making City play. His pace and power was in evidence as he played a one two with Meyler. Doyle let him go and he skipped past the static Collins to get in on goal. His finish was cool and accurate and the City fans celebrated their first lead of the contest.
United were stunned and were struggling to get any kind of footing in the game at this stage with the game being played almost entirely in their half. However a rare break saw Flynn in and his shot seemed goal bound but was blocked by a great saving tackle. Hull were back on the attack and Huddlestone fired wide before Meyler was narrowly off target with a header.
Former Blade QUINN entered proceedings replacing Sagbo and it was not long before he was scoring against them after so long being a hero to many United supporters. It came down the right hand side and as United stepped out trying to play an ill advised offside trap, Livermore curled in a delightful cross that Quinn unmarked nodded home. His celebrations were muted despite it being the goal that would surely confirm them as going to the FA cup final.
The next part of the game settled down as Hull kept the ball knowing they were now comfortable after so long where it had been a real struggle. The Blades tried to get back into it and at least had a spell of possession; for what seemed like the first time in the second half. Murphy’s overhead kick went over after a corner before Clough tried to inject some life into the side bringing on Porter and Davies for Baxter and Scougall.
Hull nearly scored again after they broke but Howard saved from Aluko before United then scored again to set up a tense finale. Harris did all the work down the left and came inside before putting a great cross over. Flynn’s header across deflected into the path of MURPHY who volleyed down and into the net. The Blades fans roared their approval as they sprinted back to the centre circle. Soon after they were on the attack again. Porter’s knock down was half cleared and then Maguire came onto it, came inside and beat a man before his left footed effort was blocked. From this Hull broke and after a swift interchange of passes, MEYLER was in on goal and finished clinically past Howard’s right hand side once again.
As one the United fans rose and applauded their side in a spontaneous moment that was surreal in that as the Hull fans and players celebrated the win, the United fans also rose to salute their heroes. Matt hill came on right on the kick off but the game ended seconds later and whilst it was ultimate disappointment at Wembley again, United’s players and fans alike could be proud of their efforts. What a cup run it had been and the hope for the future is clear.
United – A performance that left us proud. They gave everything. We played superb in the first half and deserved the lead. We won tackles, got on the front foot and pinged it about. We created chances and scored goals. It was a great team performance. We started well and did not freeze and finally you felt we had a side with no fear, who knew what they were doing and could actually score….at Wembley. Everything went to plan apart from the sloppy marking on the goal but we led and seemed in control. I even thought we had a real chance at this stage if we could see out the opening 10-15 minutes of the second half.
After the break we got overpowered. Yes maybe we could have done better on many of the goal, or changed out shape a bit but sometimes you just have to admit that the other team’s players are better. It was not about effort or poor play really, more about them thinking quicker, being quicker and just getting in the right areas. They showed why they are two divisions higher. We were not awful and kept battling but just really struggled to cope with them as much as us chucking the ball away or making lots of mistakes with the ball. Most of the mistakes were more in their head/or off the ball. The defence did not know how to mark as players were coming at them from all over and they were going deep, then stepping up and the lack of pace of much of the side (not just defence- Coady and Doyle could not keep up either)came to the fore against better players.
In the end we looked well beaten after this spell and the game sort of petered out but then incredibly we came again and got a goal and you dreamed we may get extra time but then they killed it on the counter.
The team gave their all and even though they may have regrets about the start of the second half, equally you could say at least they did not do that in the first half and kept themselves in the game and were actually the better side. I could not have a go at anyone. All did their best and yes some may regret certain things but as I said going down, so long as they leave it all on the pitch then I won’t criticise them and they did that.
Murphy and Scougall showed the promise we have seen on the big stage, Baxter for all stick he gets, got another good goal and the midfield worked hard. The defence did well on the ball but maybe less so off it and struggled with pace and runners but we were right in the match throughout and gave it a real good go.
Massive praise to Clough and the management team. They have turned a bereft in confidence, meek and mild bunch that looked like a sorry set losers into a side that is now playing with confidence, little fear and togetherness. Yes he has added a few key players but much of the side is the same. To do all that in less than 6 months is testament to him and also to those who preserved and waited to get him. Maybe for one we may have got a managerial appointment right. A lot of work to be done and we must start next season far better but you feel with the young players coming through, a greater openness and honesty off the field, that there is an upward movement in the club.
The last 5 games now I would actually play most of the eleven that have played today save for a few more glimpses of the kids. That may seem off but we do need to finish strong and have nothing to rest anyone for now. I want us to keep the momentum going. In a few weeks they are on their holidays so can res then. I want us to win as many games as possible and finish as high as we can as much for the confidence for next season. As I say be good to see a bit more of the youngsters in patches though but put in at the right times and alongside some of the experienced ones.
Efforts now must be made more importantly off the field to try and somehow keep Brayford (unlikely) and Coady (possible) and hopefully ward off bids for Murphy and Maguire. If we do that and can add 3 or 4 quality players (2 strikers, another centre back and maybe a strong central midfielder; still would give Brandy another go too if he can change his attitude – assuming we keep all those above) then we have a real shot at being nearer the top than bottom. It will not be easy and all those who think we will suddenly be in the top two may get a shock. Yes we have matched some of the teams near the top but also we have looked second best to Wolves and Brentford in two recent games I feel. These teams finished a long way off us in terms of points (yes, much of it down to Weir) and to suddenly suggest we can get another 20 points is a tough ask but I believe we have the right management team to do this and can move up the leagues we are patient and we get support from the new ownership.
Hull – Strange really as for the first half they were really poor but United made them poor as we won the loose balls and played better football and had better chances. They looked just like the other Premier League sides we have played in Fulham (twice) and also Villa that we actually were just as good, if not better. At half time you were kind of thinking, we have comfortably outplayed three Premier League sides here. Something has to be wrong?! Then like a switch came on; we finally unfortunately saw what a Premier League side should look like. They had runners from all over, were hungry, sharp and fast and we got pulled all over the place. For 20 minutes we were given a right going over and they took the game away from us. They scored 2 good goals and one scrappy the corner. They were so clinical as most of the chances they had they scored. It was ruthless and we kind of lost the game there and then. Still they had a scare at the end and still would have been mighty relieved the full time whistle came. It was far from comfortable that is for sure.
Players wise even without the cup tied players they were still very strong and Huddlestone is a player that showed today has kind of wasted his career (that is no disrespect to Hull) and should be playing for an ever better/bigger club but never established himself fully at Spurs. They have some pace and power all over the side. Even the two full backs are quick. Davies did not have his own way but is someone if he was at Spurs or Arsenal would be in the England squad. He is a very good centre back that lost his way for a bit after early promise but now seems back to his best. Good to see Quinny doing well (maybe not today!). Felt he always gave everything for United and remember seeing how crestfallen he was after our defeat down there a few years ago. Listening to his interviews he clearly has a lot of feeling for the club that gave him his chance in the game.
As for the final, I actually would not be surprised if they beat Arsenal. They are poor and seem to freeze in big games (look at results v other big teams for Arsenal this season). Hull are the underdogs but not by much and if they start better than they did against us and don’t concede first goal, think they can stay in match and probably win. Bruce was a poor manager at our place and he has admitted as much. Yes, he had McDonald/Green/Colombotti and all that happening behind him but whilst he was probably lied to felt he was a bit of a kid throwing his toys out of the pram. He was very lucky to get a second tier club and big club for his first job and thought he was a tad ungrateful and him walking to Huddersfield at the end of the season was maybe understandable but showed no loyalty to me. Petty for me to always think like this but I felt he walked the first time things got tough down. Maybe us fans did/do not have a choice and that explains my feelings!
Since then to be fair he has come back and done quite well wherever he has been and won a few promotions and tends to get his sides organised and hard to beat. Yes, he has had a bit of money but against another back drop of uncertainty with the slightly odd owner, has kept his counsel and done a good job. Hull are now a solid mid table Premier League side and with the players he has bought (yes, he has spent a bit but probably less than many below him) they can go on and establish themselves for some time, a bit like Stoke and Swansea have. Bruce was very sporting at the end too, clapping the United fans and shaking every players’ hands. He did not have to do that. Gone up in my estimation for that and felt he did not rub it in and won with class.
Good luck to them; I have no grudge against them really. They have a fairly loyal bunch of fans (yes some did not go to the game) but still always a relatively healthy support for a city of the size it is (with 2 Rugby sides that many go to) and they always come to the Lane in numbers.
Player ratings –
Howard 6.5/10 – He did not have that much to do daft as that sounds. He only had one save to make outside of the goals which was routine. In truth could he have done anything about any of the goals? Doubt it. The first goal certainly not and probably the Quinn header too. Fryatt’s was too close in for him to react. The other two were well placed although as a keeper nice height to save but that is being picky and not sure he can be criticised really for anything he did wrong but he did let 5 goals in so difficult to be praiseworthy too.
Brayford 6.5/10 – First half he did well and was on the front foot for much of it and involved in some our better moves. However I felt defensively he was not great today. I actually thought it was one of his poorer games for the club. His touch was a little off and his defending lax at times giving his man too much room. I felt on the firs he should have reacted and came across when the ball was put in and then on Quinn’s he was ball watching. There were a few other occasions he was hesitant. Going forward of course he was much better and put in that tremendous cross for the Baxter goal.
Harris 7/10 – Steady game and maybe our best defender on the day. He too struggled with pace and movement at times but stuck at it and won a fair amount of tackles and interceptions. I felt he was the only one who coped with the movement and pace to a degree due to his superior speed to the other three who sadly second half looked quite slow. He made the third goal with a nice jinking and driving run and cross. Sure he will have his contract extended in the summer.
Collins 6/10 – He was fairly imposing half as was the whole team as we won headers and tackles and generally were the much better side. Thought he and the whole defence were culpable for the first when they did not know who they were marking. Second half this carried on sadly as the midfield runners came forward and the centre backs did not know who to mark; whether to push on or old back and we kind of got overwhelmed. Too many times we tried the offside trap and it did not work. I felt he looked very leaden footed today and looked a weak link despite him having a good second half to the season.
Maguire 6/10 – As above really. I thought the first half he was quite dominating and won tackles and ensured we were the dominant side. We pressed them and pushed them up the field. He showed a good range of passing and got us moving quickly as him and Collins moved it on. He too was guilty of ball watching when ball came across for their first goal. Second half it was different as they had men coming at them from deep and also attackers to pick up. Slack marking on the corner and also on subsequent goals was caught between playing offside and sitting back (the fourth goal he was guilty of this). Not his best performance but he had done well against other Premiership players and a lot of the issues second half was from the whole side not just the defence being poor. Still believe he needs a better (quicker and more athletic partner) to compliment him and compensate for his lack of pace. Do fear he may move on this summer. To be honest no offence to us but not sure how another season at this level helps his development.
Doyle 7/10 – Thought his performance was decent against quicker, more athletic and better technical players and was one of our stand outs first half as he won the ball, kept it moving and allowed us to control midfield. Second half was different as they played higher up the pitch, put more attackers on and got midfielders running in. He found it tough second half with Huddlestone’s running from deep and he lost him when he scored but of course a lot else happened in the build-up. After this they were coming at us quite a bit and we found it hard to stem the tide but kept at it and today he can be proud of his efforts as captain of the side. Much maligned players over recent years when in truth there are many more who are much more responsible for our decline (most not at club anymore).
Scougall 7.5/10 – Maybe our best player. He was very good on the ball and rarely wasted it. Showed some lovely neat touches and played some nice passes both short and long. He got into good areas and was nearly on the end of a few chances before his great run unchecked and first time finish. Second half, like the rest, he did not carry it on as the overpowered us for that spell but came on strong again at the end and was still probing and pressing as we tried to get back into the game.
Coady 6.5/10 – Thought he struggled a bit today and only did things in brief patches but when he got the ball used it well. He did ok first half but I felt second half he found it heavy going and really struggled. When he had it he was a bit sloppy. Never really got in and beyond the Hull defence and seemed unsure where to play as they pushed men on second half but cannot recall him getting back to cover that much.
Murphy 7.5/10 – A lot of the game he was our main attacking threat showing pace, trickery and strong running. When he went at the Hull players they really struggled and he made one goal with a surging run and had a few other decent runs. I was imploring him to take Rosenior on as he had the beating of him and the only slight negative was he did not always do it enough and came back inside a few times. To be fair they did double up on him and second half as we were on the defensive he was less involved. Did score a well taken goal at the end to lead to the grandstand finish.
Flynn 7.5/10 – Thought he gave a really whole hearted and committed performance. He was able to get up and down, work hard for the team and still put some good balls in and look a threat. Made the third goal with a far post run and header. After a few ineffective games thought today he got back to the form he has been showing since Clough came in. He put a real shift in today and looked dead on his feet at the end.
Baxter 7/10 – At times he gave the ball away and flitted in and out of the match but for all the criticism he receives he does offer us something different and has scored some crucial goals since Xmas in the cup and the league. I agree he can be a bit lazy but today felt he did some some greater effort and saw him chasing across and harrying the front line. Of course he scored the first goal we have got at Wembley for over 20 years!
Subs :
Porter – Brought on and mis controlled one early but then won a header. At this stage we kind of had to go a bit longer and tried to get him involved but at this stage he was just another body as we tried to get back into it.
Davies – As above; he was brought on to try and give us some freshness. Argument is we could have made changes earlier maybe to counter their speed/hunger but maybe the game had gone before he could do anything?
Hill – Unsure why he came on as the game was over and it is hardly like a kid being given a taste of the big game. Maybe Clough just wanted to get him on (he has played the other year though at Wembley – maybe Clough did not know?!).
Manager rating –
Clough 7.5/10 – We played well for long spells and of course were excellent first half and the better side but the rating is for this game not just the superb cup run and the turnaround we have had this season. We pressed and won the ball and tactically he seemed in control. He was more like a 9 or 10 at half time. However second half he said they knew Hull would change it and they did. We did not start well and were bullied a little as they kind of took over. We did not know who to mark and gave away sloppy possession and never re grouped after every goal they had. It seemed like wave after wave of possession. Maybe he should have changed it there and then but it seemed like before he could the game was gone. That is being harsh on him as Bruce has better players, higher wage bill by an almost incredible amount and of course game changers. Every one of their forwards would walk into our side. Still, with the personnel he had, despite that spell after the break we gave it a right good go and were more than a match for them for a long spell. Brought a real team spirit and togetherness into the side that was obvious from how they are together. That cannot be underestimated. The key is for him to bring in the right players, ensure this current lot do not rest on their laurels and push on for promotion (at least top 6) next year. In such a short spell though he has restored the pride back to all United fans. That is a big thing after the last few years of disappointments.
Referee – Andre Marriner. No issues with his performance at all. He mostly kept his cards in his pocket, gave no really controversial decisions and all the goals were legitimate. He kept it flowing and made sure the game was about the players/teams and not him. Despite the criticism he got the other week for his mistake; he is one of the better refs out there in my opinion. The only slight knock is that he only played 3 minutes additional time. This in a half (before they got the 5th) of 4 goals and 3 more changes (they made the other 2 at half time). Thought it would be at least another minute or two?
Fans / Day out –
As always United fans came in their numbers and really got behind their team. Bedecked in various colours; we saw Blades all over the capital all weekend. It seemed wherever you turned there was a United fan or a song. So many smiling faces and for once a happy Wembley experience despite defeat.
As for our weekend it was a good one. Great to spend time with the family and friends and also with the Blades thrown in there. Had everything you need really.
We got down Saturday afternoon on the train and met friends on the Embankment near the National Theatre for tea and then had a few hours round central London towards the evening (heard some singing at Trafalgar Square from Blades fans!) before going to our hotel. Sunday we got up early and had a pleasant coffee round St Pauls and then watched the Marathon from near Blackfriars Bridge seeing Mo Farrah etc come right past us. After this it was a few beers round Covent Garden and then onto Wembley Park. We did the traditional walk down Wembley Way.
We met up with a lot of other friends etc around the banked grassy area near the Hilton hotel and had a few more beers and took in the atmosphere.
We opted to wear old shirts from certain eras and masks of players (anyone may have seen us who came past the bank as they came from Wembley Station or Wembley Central may have clocked us). We had Edwards, Morris, Stancliffe, Deane, Gayle, Kamara, Hodges, Flo (with bandage) amongst other (will post the team photo we had later). I also tried to take certain photos of some of above in various London locations (eg Keith Edwards at Piccadilly Circus); but my phone died so could not tweet/send. May send later again.
Worryingly one of our party opted to tongue in cheek wear the mask of a certain Mr Evans (most of us were not happy with this – especially me having little un with me) but it was bizarre how he got more of a reaction (sadly positive) than most of the rest of us! Deano never got a look in. Odd. That is all I will say.
Great singing outside and in the concourses (our friends bumped into Joe Root and the guy from the Chase; we saw a lot of old people I had not seen for a while). Once inside we had a good view; around the edge of the 18 yard box on the same side as the dug outs/tunnel and in the upper tier but still a great vantage point although players do look tiny from up there! The crowd inside were enthusiastic and really backed the Blades with a mixture of songs. The noise and the faces on our family/friends and all those around us when we did actually score (twice) was truly special. At half time inside the concourse it was buzzing and despite the come back the fans still sang and the loud chants rang around even though it seemed we were done for showed great heart from a set of fans that have taken so many blow over the years but keep getting up and up. We did not have our Rocky finale at the end but still the ovation on the goal and the way all stayed in to applaud them off showed they had been proud of the efforts unlike in other years when many (including myself) trooped away.
They may keep letting us down (did not today) and may never win a big game but they are a special club and we have a special group of fans. To see Hull fans streaming out at the end looking miserable whereas the Blades fans sang loud and proud. It was the same against Huddersfield a few years ago and against Burnley. We really do have some special fans who deserve success. Hopefully we are back on track and over the next few years we can gradually move up the leagues. I think whatever happens if United fans see a team put in the effort and commitment they did today they will appreciate it. The moment when they scored the 5th and we stood and clapped the side, will live with me for a long time.
Very tired today and work will be a struggle but for once even in defeat got a smile on my face.
To hear my 6 year old son say: ‘Daddy that was the best day of my life!’ on the coach home kind of made me realise why we follow this game and why we follow United.
For once yesterday I (and many others I think) truly sang the words and really, really meant them:
‘We love United we do! Yeah, United we love you!’