Sheffield United 2 Birmingham City 4: Birmingham loan stars grab timely triumph for Bruce
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.Two young players on loan from Arsenal, Nicklas Bendtner and Sebastian Larsson, played a crucial part in a Birmingham fightback last night that punished Sheffield United for failing to capitalise on their first-half domination.
It was an invigorating evening for Steve Bruce, the City manager, who bared his soul after emerging victorious from this exciting third-round Carling Cup tie. "This time last week was probably my worst night in football," said Bruce, recalling the home defeat by Norwich in the Championship. "Fair play to everyone - it shows what a difference a week can make."
In terms of line-up, this was a match complicated by what loomed on the horizon. On Saturday, the Blades and City meet Chelsea and West Bromwich respectively. Neil Warnock changed all 11 players from United's side against Everton; whereas Bruce limited his personnel swaps to a modest seven.
Whether Adi Akinbiyi's 21st-minute goal for United was a fluke or an amazing feat we shall never know, but Danny Webber's centre was steered over Colin Doyle, giving the keeper no chance.
City's 41st-minute equaliser also had a strong element of fluke to it. In passing back, Chris Morgan's ball caught Dudley Campbell's outstretched leg and looped over Ian Bennett.
Bendtner's 70th-minute goal took advantage of Cameron Jerome returning from an offside position. The entire Blades back line ignored Martin Taylor's punt upfield and Bendtner - an 18-year-old Danish striker loaned to City in August - sprinted past them, lobbing Bennett as Jerome withdrew from the active play.
Less than 10 minutes later, a thoughtless Craig Short back-pass allowed Jerome to intercept and almost tease Bennett as he netted City's third.
As Warnock remarked later: "I thought our defenders were their best forwards." The Blades were visibly stunned but Nick Montgomery hammered home a free-kick after a bad foul by Stephen Kelly.
But City then launched a fresh attack and Neil Kilkenny crossed for Larsson, a 21-year-old Swede loaned from Arsenal, to nudge home a simple chance.
Sheffield United (4-3-3): Bennett; Sommeil, Morgan, Short, Unsworth; Ifill, Montgomery, Law; Webber (Geary, 75), Akinbiyi (Nade, 66), Kabba. Substitutes not used: Kozluk, Lucketti, Li Tie.
Birmingham City (4-4-2): Doyle; Kelly, Taylor, Jaidi, Sadler; Larsson, Danns, Muamba, Gray; Jerome (Kilkenny, 82), Campbell (Bendtner, 58). Substitutes not used: Taylor (gk), Painter, McSheffrey.
Referee: L Mason (Lancashire).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments