Sheffield United 2, Birmingham City 1: Colin Tattum's big match verdict
Mar 2 2009 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail
Sheffield’s goal came out of nothing: a cross by Gary Naysmith found Darius Henderson, who nodded down to Webber. He let the ball bounce onto his chest before hooking it in.
Blues had got caught shuffling too far to the right as a unit, Jaidi lost concentration and let Webber go.
Maik Taylor didn’t charge straight at Webber as he thought he was going to hit the ball first time, hence his hesitation.
As so often this season, Blues had defended decently, but then undid themselves with a bad lack of focus. If anyone expecting a rousing response in the second-half, it didn’t materialise.
Sheffield seized the initiative and Blues spent most of the time trying to clear their lines. There couldn’t get revved up, they didn’t get at United, they lacked creativity and guile.
Chris Morgan, from point blank range, saw a follow-up to Matthew Kilgallon’s header deflect off Taylor.
There were other moments of concern for Blues, who were devoid of any attacking cohesion as their hosts industry and determination, having gone up a notch, kept them in check.
Cameron Jerome came on at the break for Carlos Costly (who is not the answer) to no effect, and while the widemen suggested they could do something, they flattered to deceive.
Keith Fahey was quiet to say the least and most of Lee Carsley’s work was trying to fight fires in the second-half.
Then, from Blues’ best passage of considered play, they equalised.
Gary McSheffrey, making his return as a substitute, fed David Murphy on the overlap and his cross was deflected in by Morgan’s despairing lunge, just off the toe of Jerome.
Sheffield were flat after that 74th minute goal. Blues seemingly had garnered a point. Not so. Mason saw something of nothing and Blues were left to reflect on another opportunity to take a big stride forward turn into a stumble.
It’s just as well that the rest of the Championship challengers are apparently in the same self-destruct mode at present.
When Kevin Phillips, Garry O’Connor, James McFadden are back and fit, plus Lee Bowyer and Sebastian Larsson – suspended yesterday – available, you would expect more from Blues. But don’t bet on it.
