Football: Sheffield deflated
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sheffield United. . . . .1
Queen's Park Rangers. . .2
TWO freak goals thrust Sheffield United deep into relegation trouble, just when they looked capable of garnering at least a point.
Both Rangers' goals came from deflections, which gave Alan Kelly no hope - and left United third from bottom of the table.
This was something of a a flattering victory for QPR who conceded 20 corners as they struggled to contain constant pressure. However, Dave Bassett, Sheffield United's manager, refused to blame misfortune. 'You make your own luck in life. We didn't finish well enough and the quality of our final passes and crosses weren't good enough,' he said.
Rangers took the lead when a clever dummy by Ian Holloway allowed Les Ferdinand's cross to reach Bradley Allen. He only half connected with his 18-yard shot, but the ball spun off Paul Beesley's boot and rolled gently into the net.
Tony Roberts had almost handed Sheffield the lead earlier when he collected Glyn Hodges' corner comfortably enough, but then dropped the ball. He managed to scoop it up after it bounced off the foot of his post.
Sheffield were out of luck again in the 51st minute when Chris Kamara's 20-yard shot took a deflection, but Roberts, diving flat out, pulled off a remarkable save.
Rangers, under pressure throughout much of the second half, put the match beyond doubt in the 75th minute. Holloway's 20- yard shot hit Brian Gayle and the ball looped into the net.
United's only consolation came just two minutes from time when Jamie Hoyland stabbed in Hodges' cross after Brian Deane had flicked it on.
Sheffield United: A Kelly; N Gage (M Ward, 71 min), D Barnes, J Hoyland, B Gayle, A Beesley, C Bradshaw, C Kamara, A Littlejohn, B Deane, G Hodges. Subs not used: A Cork, P Kite (gk). Manager: D Bassett.
Queen's Park Rangers: T Roberts; D Bardsley, R Brevett, S Barker, D Maddix, A McDonald, C Wilson (D Peacock, 64mins), I Holloway, L Ferdinand, B Allen, A Impey. Subs not used: A White, J Stejskal (gk). Manager: G Francis.
Referee: V Callow (Solihull).
Goals: Allen (0-1, 19 min); Holloway (0-2, 75 min); Hoyland (1-2, 88 min).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments