West Bromwich Albion 0-0 Sheffield United
By Jemma Tappenden
February 15 2008
After a disappointing defeat away at Barnsley last weekend, it was more important than ever that the Baggies got their promotion push back on track in this midweek fixture against Sheffield United. It would be an uneasy visit to the Hawthorns for former Baggies boss Bryan Robson, who was feeling the pressure in the hot seat at Bramall Lane.
Albion were without Gera, Koren and Bednar, but were boosted by the return of striker Ishmael Miller, and Chris Brunt came into defence for Bostjan Cesar, whose howler of a defensive error had gifted Barnsley their first goal on Saturday.
Despite the Blades boss inarguably feeling the heat more than his counter part Tony Mowbray, it was under fire Robson, making his first return to the Hawthorns since his sacking 17 months ago, that saw his team settle first. A vital block from Martin Albrechtsen kept the Baggies on level terms after Chris Morgan had taken a shot at goal from Lee Martin’s cross in the 4th minute. The rebound fell to Cotterill, on-loan from Wigan Athletic, but the angle made life difficult for the Blades to take an early advantage.
Albion soon settled themselves and Teixeira unlucky to see his header from Brunt’s inch perfect cross glance off the far post and out of range for the lurking Kevin Phillips. Moments later Phillips turned provider for Teixeira, who was unlucky for a second time as his shot went just wide of the near post.
Teixeira was causing the United defence all kinds of problems, and they increased when he placed a dangerous corner which found Albrechtsen, whose header was just inches over the target. There was a small reprieve for United when Martin looked like he might take advantage of a lapsing Baggies defence, but his shot was well wide of the mark.
The rest was short lived, and Blades fans held their breath at the sight of 17 goal Kevin Phillips pacing down the United goal. But his 30 yard piledriver was gathered by Paddy Kenny, albeit at the second attempt. There then followed a stale period which saw little activity from either side.
But the stalemate was broken to everyone’s relief in the 31st minute by Sheffield United, who tested Kiely when Shelton released a 25 yard swerving shot. But Kiely was more than equal to the challenge, and gathered the ball to keep the scores level.
The game was proving to be one of little excitement for supporters of either side, with goal scoring opportunities coming rarely. In the 39th minute Robson was forced to make a change when a limping Gary Speed was replaced by Chris Armstrong, but this proved to be the only action in the final third of the first half until deep in stoppage time, when Albion could have found themselves a goal down. Martin’s corner caused all kinds of confusion in the Baggies defence, allowing Kevin Kilgallon to steam in at the near post unmarked. Luckily for Albion, he fired wide from 8 yards.
Half Time: West Bromwich Albion 0-0 Sheffield United
The second half appeared as if it would be a repeat of the stagnant first until Albion burst into life in the 53rd minute. Greening produced a stunning 25 yard shot which United keeper Kenny somehow managed to prevent crossing the line with his legs. Teixeira won two quick corners for Albion, the second of which, swung in by Brunt cause the Blades all sorts of trouble, Stephen Quinn’s brave block proving to be the only thing preventing Albrechtsen from scoring.
Sheffield might have found themselves a goal up against the run of play in the 62nd minute when Gary Naysmith pulled back to an unmarked Stephen Quinn, who wasted his chance from just 15 yards. It was a chance rued, and the Blades had an almightly let off just moments later when Naysmith’s back header fell straight to Phillips on the edge of the box. Naysmith’s blushed were spared only by the surprise of Phillips, who could not connect to the ball quick enough before it fell nicely to Kenny.
Albion should have put the game to bed in the 71st minute, Kevin Phillips powered onto Brunt’s in-swinging corner to head over from 6 yards. The Baggies continued to apply pressure to the Blades, Albion fans in high hopes that a result would force the sacking of their own ex-boss the following morning. But try as they might the United defence could not be broken.
Brunt’s 20 yard free kick flew straight into the arms of Paddy Kenny, and in the 82nd minute a neat one-two between Phillips and substitute Craig Beattie saw Kenny make a superb save from a 15 yard volley. Determined to press until the very end, deep into added time Morrison bust a gut to get onto the end of Brunt’s diagonal ball, only to see his effort fall wide. It was a night of frustration all round, as other results saw Albion drop out of the automatic promotion places and down to fourth.
Full Time: West Bromwich Albion 0-0 Sheffield United
Attendance: 22,643