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Sheffield United 2-0 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Saturday, 27th Apr 2019 19:15

Scott Hogan and Jack O’Connell netted a goal in each half as Sheffield United comfortably beat the Blues 2-0 at Bramall Lane to all but secure their return to the Premier League after a 12-year hiatus. Hogan turned home the opener on 24 and O’Connell added the second in the 71st minute.

Town boss Paul Lambert made four changes with the Blues switching to a three-man backline - matching home side’s system - with Cole Skuse a surprise starter in between skipper Luke Chambers and Toto Nsiala.

Myles Kenlock was back in the side at left wing-back with Callum Elder dropping to the bench, while James Bree was on the right.

In midfield, Teddy Bishop joined Flynn Downes and Alan Judge with Trevoh Chalobah and Andre Dozzell among the subs.

Up front, Kayden Jackson came into the team, with Gwion Edwards missing from the XI that started against Swansea, alongside Will Keane.

Town were under the cosh from the off at a noisy, buoyant and expectant Bramall Lane with McGoldrick not too far away from getting his toe to a Basham cross from the right in only the third minute. Soon after, another ball in from the right evaded everyone in the penalty area.

The early pressure briefly subsided as Keane suffered what looked to be a recurrence of his hamstring injury in the eighth minute and, Town having no striker on the bench, was replaced by Chalobah, who came into the midfield with Judge moving to a free role off Jackson.

But the Blades dominance continued once the game restarted and in the 12th minute McGoldrick got away from Chambers on the Town right but Nsiala cut out his low cross towards Hogan. The former Blues frontman might well have taken the chance on himself.

The Blues finally began to see something of the ball as the quarter of an hour mark was reached and in the 16th minute Downes shot wide from distance.

Town began to become more confident in possession and in the 23rd minute Bishop broke into the area before hitting a shot which was blocked out for a throw.

But two minutes later, the Blades took the lead. Jack O’Connell was fed in on the left, leaving Bishop in his wake, crossed low and Hogan touched the ball across Dean Gerken at the near post and into the net.


Having got their noses in front the home side resumed their domination but didn’t seriously threaten again until the 33rd minute when skipper Ollie Norwood’s shot from the edge of the box was deflected over.

A minute later McGoldrick almost created a second for the Blades with a sublime pass which fed George Baldock in on goal as he broke into the area on the right but the former MK Dons man was crowded out and the Blues eventually forced the ball away from goal.

Blades attacks continued to come in waves with the Blues digging deep defensively to prevent the home side from adding to their lead, while play rarely moved to the other end of the field where Dean Henderson in goal was a virtual spectator.

On 40 Norwood scuffed an effort wide from the edge of the box after McGoldrick had nodded back a ball into the area.

Chalobah headed tamely wide for Town following a Judge freekick on the right in the 43rd minute but play quickly returned to the other end of the field. In two minutes of injury time Judge was booked for a foul.

The home side were applauded off at the break after a dominant display which deserved more than their single goal lead.

The distance between the teams in league position terms was evident throughout the half with the Blues never seriously threatening, only briefly able to pass the ball around and spending much of the period desperately hanging on at the back against a slick and confident home side.

The Blades went close to doubling their lead three minutes after the break, Norwood slamming a freekick from a very tight angle on the left against the far post.

Town continued to struggle to keep the ball out of their own half of the field and on 57 half of Bramall Lane thought McGoldrick had headed his side’s second of the afternoon from a Norwood cross from the right but the ball flew the wrong side of the post and nestled in the side-netting.

A minute later, Gerken saved from Hogan, then blocked the follow-up but with the flag having been raised.

On 62 Blades club captain and 24-goal top scorer Billy Sharp - a Town target in January 2015 and on a number of other occasions - took over from Hogan.

Sharp almost made an immediate impact after being sent away towards the penalty area as the Blades counter-attacked following a rare Blues foray forward. However, Skuse read the situation and got across to take the ball away from the Blades skipper.

Town were left without any out-and-out strikers on the field in the 68th minute when Jackson was replaced by Dozzell.

A minute later, defender John Egan should have added to the Blades’ lead but headed Norwood’s corner over the bar when it seemed easier to hit the target.

However, the home fans wouldn’t have to wait too long for the security of that second goal.

In the 71st minute Fleck sent over a corner and O’Connell, the man who supplied the first goal, headed home to send Bramall Lane into raptures, fans knowing that promotion to the Premier League was all but confirmed.

On 78 McGoldrick was replaced to a standing ovation from the home support but also the Town travelling fans. Gary Madine took over, the in the 85th minute, with the game effectively over to all intents and purposes, John Lundstram replaced Mark Duffy for the home team, whose fans had already begun their post-match celebrations.

As the clock ticked over to 89 Judge smashed Town’s first shot on target from 35 yards but Henderson helped it over the bar and the resultant corner came to nothing.

Two minutes of injury time were seen out without incident before referee Tim Robinson’s whistle triggered the biggest cheer of the afternoon, Blades fans knowing that barring ludicrous scorelines in the final games they will be playing Premier League football for the first time since 2006/07.

A handful of fans ran on the pitch to boos from their fellow supporters before the home players celebrated in a huddle on the pitch.

Meanwhile, the Town players trooped off following yet another defeat having been thoroughly outclassed by a hugely impressive Blades side.

The Blues were never able to impose themselves on the match and but for some desperate defending and occasionally less than clinical finishing would have been beaten more comprehensively.

Town’s nightmare 2018/19 campaign will finally end next Sunday when they host Leeds at Portman Road in a game which following tonight’s match will be a dead rubber with the Whites now effectively out of the running for the top two given their goal difference.

Sheffield United: Henderson, Basham, Egan, O’Connell, Baldock, Norwood (c), Fleck, Stevens, Duffy (Lundstram 85), McGoldrick (Madine 77), Hogan (Sharp 63). Unused: Dowell, Madine, Stearman, Moore, Cranie.

Town: Gerken, Bree, Chambers (c), Nsiala, Kenlock, Skuse, Bishop, Downes, Judge, Keane (Chalobah 8), Jackson (Dozzell 68). Unused: Elder, Emmanuel, Bialkowski, El Mizouni, Ndaba. Referee: Tim Robinson (West Sussex). Att: 30,140 (Town: 914).


Photo: Action Images



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ITFCsince73 added 21:25 - Apr 27
Barrystedmunds. Hurst was only in the building 5 minutes. And gave us some of our better performances this season. The players sold, was not his decisions. They was made before he came in. Like Lambert he worked with what he had, and what funds were given.
But unlike Lambert, the power of Captain fantastic got the better of him.
Which was a shame.
-7

herfie added 21:28 - Apr 27
The gulf in quality and class between the two teams is immense. Why should that be?

If we could find the definitive answer to that question, and then take the action necessary to make good what is so fundamentally wrong, then we might take the first steps to recovery, and become capable of competing effectively in a game of football.

However, unless or until we see the back of the snake oil salesman who currently owns this club, I fear there's little prospect of stopping the inexorable decline. Sadly, however, I don't believe we'll hear the sound of the cavalry coming over the hill anytime soon.

But hope springs eternal - and we have to believe that PL will, despite the constraints imposed upon him, find a way to spin some gold from mainly base metal.
6

londontractorboy57 added 21:30 - Apr 27
Didnt you miss the points and actually winning a few games funny old species football supporters.
-3

londontractorboy57 added 21:36 - Apr 27
Dont get the idolising of Mcgoldrick today he took the juice for two years on and off injured when he was on the pitch it was all very half hearted.
Good luck to him but no need for Town fans to treat him like the patron saint of ITFC.
12

GiveusaWave added 21:54 - Apr 27
It's laughable how bad our team is....only it's not laughable as it's our team.....

7

1RWR added 21:59 - Apr 27
Chambers.........I just cannot write any more!
3

Bluearmy_81 added 22:02 - Apr 27
Join 'Evans out of ITFC' on Facebook
4

Umros added 22:09 - Apr 27
So my father in law sits with me and watches the first 20 minutes of second half. He is not a football fan at all and says, “I don't know anything about football but Ipswich players should be embarrassed with their performance' I couldn't even begin to make a case to disagree.
7

algarvefan added 22:15 - Apr 27
In Lambert we trust.............? ........well I don't. He must have one of the worst records ever as a manager of Town.
We need some stability following a good clear out and some new staff for league 1, otherwise I can see this pattern continuing.
6

warktheline added 22:20 - Apr 27
No ‘wondrous' stories from the ‘fool on the hill' this evening! It's the ‘eve of destruction' !...under Evans!
3

19781981twtd added 22:22 - Apr 27
Just seen the Norfolk lot celebrating on tv I'm gutted we are so poor it is embarrassing sorry to all the internal optimists we don't have a snow balls chance in he'll of bouncing back this football club is ruined by a business man who does not have a football heart he let a manager who yes I agee dis not play sexy football something you cannot do with donkeys he then appointed a complete buffoon sold all his strikers and expected to survive after 40 years following itfc I am broken hearted and totally disilutioned and seeing that lot celebrating is the end for me God help itfc because no one else can "the end"
0

RobsonWark added 22:24 - Apr 27
chepstowblue said "If Leeds win tomorrow they'll only need to beat us by 12 to overhaul Sheffield and their disrespectful premature celebrations".

I bet Chambers has a few quid on the fact that we will lose by 12 goals against Leeds...he's doing his very best to make sure we lose every week! These far east betting scams spring to mind. I wonder how much they are paying him...
-4

bluearmy84 added 22:27 - Apr 27
itfc73 among the diluded fans trying to convince himself that this season has been more entertaining!! he would rather get dicked every week be rock bottom and watch the scum win the league!! all about winning games and being competitive in this league and we are not even competing!!! and let me tell you something ive seen many a hopeful ball up top this season or going out into the stands!
2

pazzy added 22:28 - Apr 27
we could do with muph back next season to lead the line and sign a couple of goal scorers must admit it don't look great for a quick return
0

Bert added 22:30 - Apr 27
Funny how so many on here were not in the least disappointed when McGoldrick left. He, Waghorn and Garner looked at Hurst and said no way. Pity Evans listened to the stay away ‘supporters' who wouldn't come to Portman Road with MM in place and still don't. Best to stay away and let the real supporters get behind their team.
-5

RobsonWark added 22:31 - Apr 27
londontractorboy57 "Dont get the idolising of Mcgoldrick today he took the juice for two years on and off injured when he was on the pitch it was all very half hearted"

He had to play in a team with MM style of play. Wouldn't you be disinterested if you were a striker chasing long balls every game, or a midfielder watching the ball go over your head? MM would have had more success playing a 5-0-5 formation.
4

BrettenhamBlue added 22:31 - Apr 27
I have so many poor memories of supporting Town. But this season is easily the worst. From a personal level, my nephews both switched at end of last season from Ipswich to Norwich as they were fed up of the boring football under MM. Enter this season and my own son switched allegiance after only a couple of games under the new regime. My stomach churned at both decisions but I hoped this side would prove my nephews and my son wrong. Ever since this ITFC squad has only let me down over and over again. Meanwhile, celebrations are taking place up the road. I have never felt so let down by this team. Every week I have felt abject humiliation and tell myself that it's only a game, there's more to life than football, but it still hurts. Bad decision after bad decision by the club, when are they going to realise that it's about quality of players not quantity? I don't even think this team is ready for league 1 next season and will struggle, whatever team we play.

My son told me a couple of hours ago that he now knows what success feels like. I just shook my head and took a long walk.
7

PulhamBlue added 22:32 - Apr 27
I was extremely disappointed in our captain. The body language was of someone not even wanting to be present in the game. No words of encouragement were given to his fellow centre-back, who dug him out of the mire more than once. No cajoling or praising of team-mates where necessary... No organising to defend against set pieces. Just someone who quietly got on with his game. If you cannot be bothered, give the armband to someone else... At least that's how it appeared to me...
13

itfchorry added 22:44 - Apr 27
We're you there today Bert - ?

Probably playing Play Station with Mick and Gcon

McCarthy has gone - you will soon see the rewards
1

19781981twtd added 22:46 - Apr 27
Can someone give me three genuine reasons why itfc can bounce back next season because I cannot see one reason how the he'll have the narwich lot done it im sick and tired of hearing about them getting promoted already i hope it is torrential rain for their chest beating bragging open bus tour and their bus breaks down and Delia burns the the cakes and they lose every game next year and they will know what it is like following a team of donkeys and no hoppers but I hate to say it they could well win more games in the prem than out shower of s***e will will win in league 1 "totally gutted"!!!!!
4

Churchman added 22:48 - Apr 27
The club is in the worst state in its professional history. It isn't about Lambert, Hapless Hurst, McCarthy, Keane, Magilton or Jewell. It is solely about Sheepshanks and Evans. One cared about the club but proved incompetent. Under him the club was bankrupted. The other doesn't appear to care a jot (about ITFC, that is - the portfolio, of course he does) and seems to have his own agenda whatever that is. The result is a shambles that the word ‘Club' is far too good for. I am not a gambler but if I was, I'd put my money on going down in much the same fashion to Div 2 next year. As things stand I cannot think of a single reason why we won't. The ambition, quality, structure, pride, hunger/desire and professionalism just isn't there. Not a shred of it. There will be the usual meaningless dribble from manager and the odd player Monday/Tues, but who is interested? It's just talk.
I dearly hope I'm proved wrong and this time next year we are seeing the ITFC recover and for the first time many years move forwards. But with Evans? I'm not holding my breath.
11

planetblue_2011 added 22:55 - Apr 27
Hope Evans was watching sports news tonight watching Norwich celebrate promotion??!!
He has to get his wallet out next season if it's 5 million on players that is something and we need to sell the ones who are not up for the job & get rid of the injury prones.
We need at least 3 defenders plus Woolfenden another att mid & at least 2 strikers a target man & a prolific striker. If not any of this doesn't happen then get out our club MARCUS EVANS!!!
We do have good young players but can't put everything on them they will need help & other quality players around them. Poor today but didn't expect any different.
Roll on next season only if it will be a good one.
3

warkyisgod added 23:30 - Apr 27
Just got back from the match I won't say anything about how poor we were because it's all been said above. What I will say is I know the teams are poles apart and I'm sure SUFC wouldn't have 30000+ if they were where we are but their crowd was superb all 4 stands were rocking something ITFC could learn from get the team playing get the crowds back and we could have something like that. Also a note on the man on the tanoy showed a bit of class by talking about us away fans saying how good we were for travelling so far when it's on TV and again at the end of the game so thumbs up to him
12

RobsonWark added 23:57 - Apr 27

PulhamBlue added 22:32 - Apr 27
I was extremely disappointed in our captain. The body language was of someone not even wanting to be present in the game. No words of encouragement were given to his fellow centre-back, who dug him out of the mire more than once. No cajoling or praising of team-mates where necessary... No organising to defend against set pieces. Just someone who quietly got on with his game. If you cannot be bothered, give the armband to someone else... At least that's how it appeared to me...

WELL SAID PulhamBlue!!! But they'll still be Chambers supporters on here who think he can't do any wrong. They have no idea about football - they just love him and want to have his babies. All these deluded people who call themselves supporters that think Chambers is the best thing since sliced bread (and Yes you supporters who voted him player oF the season - DUCKING JOKE!!!)
2

runningout added 23:58 - Apr 27
probably a third of us didn't travel too far to get to Sheffield. ITFC has a fan base that would surprise many. More so if we were performing
4


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