Blades 0-0 Sky Blues

Sheffield United 0-0 Coventry City

United dominated the first half proceedings and really should have been at least 3-0 by the break but poor finishing a poor pitch and bad luck kept the scores 0-0. Early on Coventry keeper Morten Hyldgaard looked particularly nervous in the Blues net miss controlling a pass from Richard Shaw, which almost trickled into the goal. Michael Brown had a shot well saved mid way through the first half and Peter Ndlovu was unlucky not to score. 

Although Coventry were under immense pressure they did look very dangerous on the counter attack with a front line of Partridge, Dean Holdsworth (brother of ex Blade David) and Jay Bothroyd who showed on occasions just why Coventry paid 1 million to Arsenal for his services. Holdsworth was foiled twice by inform United keeper Kenny tipping one shot past the post. Gary MacAllister also showed signs of class while his ex Scotland team-mate Stuart McCall played like a man possessed in the Blades midfield engine room running his socks off. 

The action was fast becoming end-to-end and the Blades had a glorious chance when the Sky Blues defence failed to clear their lines, only for Michael Tonge to pull his shot across Hyldgaard and inches wide of the right upright. Minutes before half time Craig Hignett the ex Barnsley and Middlesbrough player was taken off injured and replaced by young Craig Pead. The referee then brought an end to an entertaining 45 minutes of football leaving both sets of fans optimistic that their team may nick it in the second period. 

The 2^nd half picked up where the first had left off with Hyldgaard making up for his earlier mistake in saving spectaclualy from ex Coventry player Peter Ndlovu.On 56 minutes, Holdsworth had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring and end United' s 10 match unbeaten run. Pead darted into the area on the right hand side and centred to the former Wimbledon striker, who struck it wide from six yards with the goal at his mercy. Midway through the 2^nd half both teams made substitutions Peschisolido replacing Kabba and Gary McSheffrey replacing the in my view disappointing Partridge. 

Then the away side were dealt a major blow when ex Palace left back Dean Gorden was sent off for a second bookable offence on Peter Ndlovu incidentally Gorden was shown his first yellow card for a tackle on Ndlovu. Sheffield United then took advantage of Coventry's miss fortune and created their best chance of the game when Michael Tonge was one on one with the keeper and hit a good shot but the keeper tipped it over the bar. 

Both sets of fans were getting on the back of the referee Roy Pearson for his inconstant performance. Eustace replaced Holdsworth with 81 minutes gone to complete the Sky Blues’ possible substitutions, while Caldwell became the third City player to go into the book a minute later. United spurred two late chances when Allison headed into the arms of Hyldgaard and Murphy some how managed to head over from about a yard out.  In the dying minutes Coventry got a corner and illustrated just how happy there would be with a point by keeping the ball in the corner. 

A relieved Mr Pearson then brought the game to a close. The Blades can count themselves rather unlucky not to nick all 3 points and maybe Mr Warnock will dip into the loan market and get United yet another striker before the Burnley game. But this point has been good for United and has cemented their position as third just behind Leicester. I have no doubt that if United continue to play football the way it was meant to be played they will finish at least in the top 6. 

Kozz's MOTM goes to Blades winger and England under 20 star Michael Tonge, after he tore the Coventry defence ragged.