Another Yorkshire derby and unfortunately another defeat. Despite matching Sheffield United for large parts of the game, ultimately the skill of a team chasing promotion was good enough to earn all three points.
Like the Leeds game on New Years Eve, City were very much the equals of their opposition during the first half – but with yet another goal being conceded in first half injury time, City had the stuffing knocked out of them for the second time in three days. The third goal killed the game, but unlike Leeds, the Tigers showed a bit more desire and commitment to get back into the game.
City made two changes from the starting line-up that lost at Leeds. Ryan France returned at right-back to replace Mark Lynch. Injury forced Craig Fagan to miss the match, so Nick Barmby was pushed forward to a striking role to partner Billy Paynter. Andy Dawson shrugged of fears of flu symptoms to start the match.
Neil Warnock also made changes for his promotion chasing side. Michael Tonge and Paul Ifill were recalled to the starting line-up due to the busy festive fixture list.
Like the Leeds game, City played impressively during the first half, and didn’t deserve to be trailing at half time. City looked sharp and attacked with pace. The midfield closed down the opposition well, and we looked on top.
But Sheffield United created the first chances of the game. After only three minutes, Neil Shipperley was found at the far post, but he blasted his shot over the bar when he had more time. Michael Tonge had a chance ten minutes later, but Myhill made a great instinctive save to deny the midfielder.
Sheffield United were looking nervy from crosses going into the box, and Elliott went close with a headed effort, but Paddy Kenny wasn’t really troubled.
City were starting to force more pressure, and a succession of corners saw Elliott head narrowly wide. A crossed ball from price was taken down on the chest by Paynter, but some great last ditch defending stopped Paynter getting in the shot.
City were on top, and were getting closer and closer to the opening goal. Barmby ran onto his own flick on, and tried to lob Paddy Kenny – but with the goalkeeper back-tracking, managed to make a fine tip over the bar.
In the 23rd minute, City deservedly took the lead. Like Leeds we had been the better team, but this time we made our possession count as we opened the scoring. Price was found on the right wing. His cut inside forced him onto his left foot, but he curled a stunning effort into the top corner of the net. A great goal. The form of Jason Price at the moment has been like signing a new player, as he has had a drastic change in fortunes since returning to the City side.
A free-kick three minutes later from Andy Dawson forced Kenny into another good save. From that point on, Sheffield United started to come back into the game.
Just past the half-hour mark, Sheffield United were back on level terms. Paul Ifill found the ball on the edge of the box. Cutting inside, his shot took a deflection off Sam Collins – and with wrong-footing Myhill bounced into the top corner of the net. Perhaps not deserved but the Blades found themselves on level terms.
City were now under pressure, and Bromby had an effort blocked on the line after Myhill dropped a corner.
City had one last chance at the end of the first half as Cort’s shot was saved by Kenny onto the post.
Then, like Leeds, City conceded in first half injury time in controversial circumstances. Price challenged a ball in the air and appeared to be fouled. The referee didn’t award anything. As Sheffield United broke away, Danny Webber was allowed to run and run before cutting inside past leon Cort, and guided a shot into the far corner of the net.
It almost got worse as Webber had another shot tipped over the bar. Again City didn’t deserve to go in behind, but poor defensive play had cost us the lead at half-time again.
Neither teams made any changes at the start of the second half.
Just after the break, the Blades were on top. A corner from Bromby found Jagielka, but he saw his shot hit the post and rebound out.
On 54 minutes, Sheffield United did make it 3-1. Webber held the ball on the left. Poor defending allowed him to slide a ball through to Chris Armstrong, who drove the ball past Myhill. Too easy from our point of view, and it effectively killed off the game.
City did show some more desire than the Leeds game to get back into it, and price couldn’t do enough to steer in Elliott’s cross.
Substitutes were made by City when Stuart Green and Curtis Woodhouse replaced Keith Andrews and Stuart Elliott in a tactical switch which saw City play a 4-3-1-2 formation.
Neil Shipperley went close with a header before City made their final substitution – Kevin Ellison replacing Jason Price.
The game started to die out as Sheffield United held firm and City couldn’t find a way through. City suffered their first defeat at home since November.
Player Ratings
Boaz Myhill – 6
A few good saves early on in the first half but seems to look a bit different as of late. I wouldn’t criticise him though because if it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t be anywhere bear as high in the league as we are.
Ryan France – 6
Another disappointing game but was taught a lesson against high quality players. Didn’t get forward too much and backed off Webber for what was the telling goal and turning point of the match.
Andy Dawson – 7
A good performance from the left-back and the only one who looks steady enough to be playing in the defence. Gives his all and was unlucky with a free-kick.
Leon Cort – 6
Backed off Webber for the goal and it cost us. Has looked more shaky against better opposition (which I guess you would expect) but I hope his last two performances don’t dent his confidence. Unlucky with an effort that was tipped onto the post near the end of the first half.
Sam Collins – 6
I am not so sure about him now and wonder if he has upset our defence – although that assumption may be harsh based upon the better standard of players he was playing against recently. I think I would like to see Damien replace him in defence.
Damien Delaney – 6
Did well for the first half but then disappeared again. Battled well when we were on top, but I think I would now like to see him back in the defence.
Keith Andrews – 7
Improved the team recently and has good passing skills. Can’t wait to see him and Ashbee being our midfield pairing once again – but we will have to wait a while for that.
Stuart Elliott – 6
Better performance than recent displays. Got crosses in, more of a threat in the air and did the occasional run with the ball.
Jason Price – 8
Like a new signing at the moment. In a rich vein of form and lets hope it continues. Stunning goal but think he was tired near the end and was subbed with twenty minutes remaining.
Nick Barmby – 8
Showed desire, quality, and commitment. All exactly what we need, and I wish more players would take note of it. A very good performance under the circumstances.
Billy Paynter – 6
Didn’t really see much of the ball but help up what he got well. Another steady performance from the new striker.
Stuart Green – 6
Came on but didn’t really get a chance to get involved in the game.
Curtis Woodhouse – 6
Got a game against his previous team. Booked late on for a poor challenge. Like Green, didn’t get long enough to get involved.
Not on long enough to give a rating to. Wasn’t really involved in anything of note.
Manager Rating
6 – Did all he really could do to get the team to play well, and they did for the first half. Will be very annoyed with the defending that cost us the goals, as they are errors which are starting to become more common.
Opponent Rating
7 – Has a good team to work with. Didn’t think they were as good as Reading, nor Leeds United. I think the points gap will probably just be enough to see them get promoted back to the Premiership.
Hull City Reaction
Peter Taylor…
‘I cannot see Reading and Sheffield United slipping up.
‘With the number of points they have, I’d be very surprised. They have some really good strikers, but we played very well in the first half.
‘To come in at 2-1 down was hard for us. I’m certainly encouraged by the way we are handling this division and am confident we can stay up.’
Sheffield United Reaction
Neil Warnock…
‘They’re all big wins from now, and I thought we showed a lot of character to win here.
‘The last thing we wanted was to concede an early goal. That lifted their crowd, but we showed excellent discipline to come back.
‘We showed a lot of character. It’s a Yorkshire derby – you’ve got to roll your sleeves up – but we did that.’
