Blades sharper in 8 goal thriller. Match reaction

Last updated : 20 September 2003 By Michael Morris
At half time it was 0 - 0. City had had a goal dis-allowed, the referee was giving free kicks left right and centre, he was booed off by the home fans after booking two of their players for shirt pulling and dissent.

I thought Utd were very petulant and the good football was spoiled at times by silly pushing, shoving and shirt pulling.

Still it was entertaining and Bramall Lane offers superb views to away fans. City fans were again in full voice and supported the players throughout the game.

The second half was seconds old when Peter Thorne shot from the edge of the box, Gerrard parried the ball and Earnie reacted quicket to score from a tight angle.

The home crowd were silent. Then the goals kept on coming. City gave away a free kick on the edge of the box and Tonge hit a peach of a shot into the far corner. Utd fans woke up and they saw their side in front a few minutes later. Alexander watched a 30 yard effort from Ndlouv beat him, to me it looked as if Alexander thought it was going wide. Goalkeeper error for that one.

City though were not beaten yet. Peter Thorne headed across goal for Earnie to run in and volley high into the net. Then it was Richard Langley's turn to score from distance with a free kick. Langley opened his City account with a shot from 25 or more yards, Gerrard got a touch but could not keep it out.

Ndlouv got his second from the penalty spot after a handball. Then City failed to deal with Lester as he juggled tha ball and was allowed to shoot through Alexander. Ndlouv completed his hat trick with a second penalty in the 89th minute.

In the last 8 days I've seen 16 goals scored, City getting 9 of them but only bagging three points. The performace was again high class, the committment excellent but we ended up with 0 points for the second game in a row. After the Carling Cup game v West Ham on Tuesday we have two home league games against Crewe and Wigan, we have to get points from those games.

They won't be easy, Crewe beat Forest today while Wigan stay top of the table after beating Watford.