Sheffield United put their recent woes behind them to perform another giant killing act against Premier League Opposition as a last gasp Shaun Miller goal saw the Blades reach the last 16 the world’s oldest cup competition.
Nigel Clough made 4 changes from the side that lost 3-0 to relegation rivals Crewe at the weekend with Howard replacing Long in goal, new signing Bob Harris being given his first start at the expense of Matt Hill, the cup-tied Billy Paynter being replaced by Chris Porter and Jose Baxter’s attacking flair being sacrificed in order for Stephen McGinn to provide some protection to the back 4.
The home side were forced to ring the changes also as they saw some ins and outs on deadline day with the new arrivals not being allowed to play as they were not registered in time for the first game between the sides. However, their scorer from the first game, Hugo Rodallega started again up front supported by the likes of Dempsey and Kasami.
It was the visitors who began the brighter and in the opening couple of minutes Jamie Murphy tried his luck from distance with his low drive going just wide of Stockdale’s right hand post.
Murphy would have another chance shortly after as Conor Coady found his way into space down the right wing and crossed to Murphy but the Scot could not direct his header on target.
As the sides settled into the game, it became clear that Fulham would have the majority of the possession and that the visitors had set up to be solid and to hit the hosts on the break where possible. Every time possession was surrendered, a flood of yellow shirts would race back into position behind the ball and just invite Fulham to try to break them down.
In the most part, Fulham dictated possession but rarely troubled the League 1 side’s defence as there was a lack of penetration to their play and they were restricted to the odd long range effort and lobbing balls into the box from deep positions. Such balls were mopped up time and again by the resolute Collins and Maguire.
One bright spark for Fulham though was Prassley, the young right back was looking to get forward at every opportunity and one such run resulted in a booking for a clumsy challenge by Bob Harris.
Harris would bring him down again a moment later and would have to be very careful for the rest of the game. Fortunately for the visitors, Fulham failed to create anything meaningful from the set pieces afforded to them.
Whilst United were predominantly happy to contain their Premier League opponents, when they did win the ball back, they sought to attack with pace and the impressive Brayford tried his luck from 20 yards but the shot was about a yard wide of the top corner.
Half Time Fulham 0-0 Sheffield United
The 2nd half began and again it was the visitors who were the quickest out of the blocks pinning Fulham back with Murphy, Flynn and Brayford getting forward in wide areas and putting crosses into the box.
Before long, a free kick was awarded for a trip on Murphy around 25 yards from goal and right of centre. It was well set up for a left footer and Bob Harris obliged with his free kick having slightly too much bend and curling away from the top corner, wide of Stockdale’s post.
It would be the left back who would also have the visitors’ next effort on goal as Murphy cut the ball back into his path and he struck the ball first time from around 20 yards on target with Stockdale doing well to keep hold of it.
The home fans had become restless and Mulensteen knew he had to do something to gain a foothold in the match. He decided to replace Hugo Rodallega with Dejagah. The Colombian international was not happy at being substituted and sat with his head in his hands on the bench appearing distraught.
Mulensteen sought to freshen things up further with the introduction of Duff and Sidwell. This did bring Fulham back into the game with Duff in particular being a nuisance and Sidwell offering more energy in midfield.
Duff got to the byline after a one two with Amorbieta but the Blades scrambled clear from his square ball.
United thought hadn’t given up trying to find a winner and a nice move almost presented a chance for Scougall but Hangeland managed to block his effort.
The home side looked in vain for a penalty as Clint Dempsey went down in the box under pressure from Maguire. Replays showed Maguire had a hand on the American but the forward had gone down incredibly easily.
Fulham again appealed for a penalty as Kasami was sandwiched in an aerial challenge between Maguire and Brayford but the flag was up for offside.
Chris Porter would be replaced by Jose Baxter up front as the target man had taken a couple of knocks throughout the game and didn’t appear to be moving too well.
Fulham tried to press for a winner with Tankowski wriggling into space on the edge of the area but his shot was wide. Shortly after, Harris was lucky to stay on the field after tripping Tankowski just outside the area but Fulham once again wasted the set piece.
and the match entered extra time.
90 minutes Fulham 0-0 Sheffield United
Nigel Clough took action after the warning sign with Harris walking a tightrope and elected to replace him with Matt Hill.
Extra time began and it was clear to see that both sides were tiring and the wind and rain were not helping the quality of the football.
The Premier League side were attempting to turn the screw and Kasami saw a long range drive curl just wide of the top corner with Howard stranded.
Meanwhile, at the other end, John Brayford powered forward with the ball from his own half straight into the heart of a tiring Fulham Defence and managed to work a good opening but his shot was well saved by Stockdale.
Stephan Scougall pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring strain and was replaced by Shaun Miller who was booked shortly after coming on for a strong challenge in which he appeared to win the ball. The referee evened things up shortly afterwards by booking Sidwell for a similar challenge on Baxter.
A dangerous cross from Flynn eluded both Stockdale and Baxter on the edge of the six yard box. Murphy couldn’t turn it home and the ball was scrambled behind for a corner.
Fulham threatened a late winner when a Kasami drive was tipped behind for a corner by Howard. Replays showed the ball was going wide but the keeper couldn’t have been sure of that at the time.
Brayford again brought United forward with an energetic run down the right which resulted in a corner. The full back stayed down with cramp for a minute but was able to continue as the game entered the final minute of extra time.
Baxter’s out swinging corner to the back post was met by Maguire who headed back across goal and MILLER was in the right place at the right time to diver the ball into the net with his head from all of about 4 yards out.
The travelling support erupted and Fulham knew the game was up. Almost immediately after the kick off, the final whistle blew and Nigel Clough’s team were headed to the fifth round where a home time against either Preston North End or Nottingham Forest awaits.
Player Ratings
Howard 7- Didn’t have many saves to make but communicated with his defence and came to collect a few balls near the edge of the area.
Brayford 9- He was fantastic. He defended resolutely throughout and was a threat going forward. His work rate never dipped even in the final moments and he won the corner which brought the winning goal.
Maguire 9- Equally as good as Brayford. Won everything in the air, made countless tackles and interceptions and got the assist for the goal.
Collins 8- Also very solid defensively but perhaps didn’t quite attack the ball as much as Maguire.
Harris 7- Did some good things and had a couple of decent efforts from distance but put in a few clumsy tackles and was lucky not to get a 2nd yellow card.
McGinn 8- Did a thoroughly effective job sitting in front of the back 4. Won the ball and played it simple many times.
Flynn 7- Worked hard and combined well at times with Brayford but the final ball was sometimes lacking.
Coady 7- Very energetic performance. Perhaps could do with a bit more composure on the ball at times.
Scougall 7- worked hard and was neat and tidy in his attacking play. Hope his injury is not too serious.
Murphy 8- felt he was our main outlet (along with Brayford) and was always willing to run at his man, despite his man being the impressive Prassley.
Porter 6- Toiled and battled but against a Centre Half pairing with a combined height of about 13 foot he didn’t have much joy. Limited but did a job of sorts.
Hill- 6- steady enough, made a decent challenge on Duff when he was in a dangerous position.
Baxter 6- Did at least as well as Porter in the lone striker role but wasted a decent free kick opportunity with an awful strike
Miller – was only on a few minutes but nicked the all important goal.
Fulham- atrocious for a Premier League club. They reminded me very much of us under Weir. Lots of possession, no purpose, no drive, no aggression, no penetration.
To say they had 2 huge centre half’s on the pitch I don’t remember them ever causing us a real problem from a set piece either.
They will be a Championship team next season.