Deadbat_DB
Vital Squad Member
The Blades got back to winning ways on the road and made it back-to-back victories after the two defeats at Leeds and Middlesbrough had punctured an excellent start to their return to the Championship. United travelled to Ewood Park for the lunchtime kick off and a ground that has not been a happy hunting ground in recent years but goals from Harrison Burrows and Tyreese Campbell saw off a poor Rovers side. Blackburn did have two good opportunities at 0-1 but Michael Cooper did not have a save to make in contract to Ainsley Pears whose performance kept the scoreline down in the second half. United completely controlled the game after the break and with Souza dominant in midfield, the excellent Moore leading the line and Souttar patrolling at the back, United’s strong spine was too much for a punchless home side who never really looked like getting anything from the game.
Wilder made 2 changes in his starting line up with Brewster and Robinson in for Campbell and the suspended Ahmedhodzic. Rovers also tweaked their line up with Ohashi back in as the lone striker supported by Dolan and Cantwell.
The game started with United winning an early corner but Souza then had to do some sterling defensive work to recover a break going the other way. Travis and then Rak Sayki both won free kicks deep in their own territory as it swung both ways in the opening stages. Robinson was caught out by Ohashi and this led to Blackburn winning their first corner. Soon after the first real opening came as the dangerous Ohashi came inside and Gilchrist had to make the block. Blackburn had most of the possession and territory and had settled better with the loose stuff being picked up by those in blue and white.
Moore then won a free kick to give United some relief as Hyam was penalised for handball. Burrows took it but hit the wall, as he did last week in a similar position. Souza had issues with his boot laces as he claimed he was fouled but soon after this the Blades took the lead with their first real chance. The ball was moved across patiently with Rak Sayki involved and Arblaster opted not to take the shot on initially but Souza did. The ball flashed across goal and Rankin Costello botched his clearance leading to the ball dropping to BURROWS. The ex-Posh man had a lot to do but drove in a superb angled drive into the far corner for his first Blades goal.
Moore then did well to hold the ball up twice and fed Rak Sayki and the winger played it back to Moore and his cross was intended for O’Hare but the Blackburn defender made a crucial block. United were buoyed by the goal and Rak Sayki was a constant threat as he was causing all sort of problems for the young full back Beck. Twice he went past him in quick succession and on the second occasion, he found Brewster whose shot was blocked.
Souttar had to be alive to deny Ohashi after some loose stuff from Arblaster. The young midfielder did not learn his lesson and gave it away cheaply again and this led to a great chance for Rovers to level. Ohashi made the running fed the overlapping Dolan whose cross seemed certain to be converted by the oncoming Hedges but the midfielder inexplicably did not make any contact with the goal gaping.
United’s sloppy play continued as they continued to cough up possession cheaply which was disappointing as they seemed to have control of the game after an uncertain start and had Blackburn worried when they did attack. The home fans started to find their voice and Dolan’s skill saw him move past Robinson and the experienced defender cynically brought him down earning him a yellow card – the first of the game.
The home fans frustration with the referee seemed to be boiling over and his inability to spot an advantage after Arblaster brought down his man did not help their mood. Rovers won a late corner but United cleared and went into the break with a narrow lead.
United started the second half well and won a free kick and two corners. From an Arblaster free kick, Moore’s header was pushed over by Pears and United kept the pressure on in a positive start. O’Hare was booked for a handball as Rovers looked to break. Ohashi tried to get away from Burrows but Robinson shepherded it out for a corner. Blackburn did have a great opportunity when Cantwell sent over a dangerous cross and Rankin Costello could not get enough on his header. It was a good opportunity and a let off for United’s otherwise excellent defence.
Brewster had gone down on a couple of occasions and his ran was finally run when he came off for Campbell, as the striker limped of after another ineffective display. Burrows put in a superb cross that saw Moore head across the goal and Hyam had to nod off the line. Weimann and Brittain replaced Dolan and Hedges but soon after United doubled their lead.
Souza won the ball in the middle of the field, as he had done all day and Arblaster helped it on. Moore did superbly to fend off his man, came inside and picked out CAMPBELL but although his first effort was too close to Pears and pushed out, the striker kept his composure to acrobatically smash the ball home. His second chance was probably harder than his first but it was superbly finished and it was two in two for the former Stoke man, as he celebrated in front of the 4,000 travelling Blades fans.
Hamer and Brooks came on for O’Hare and Rak Sayki as United looked to rotate the side with three games in 8 days but Rankin Costello showed this game was not done as he picked up the ball and curled wide after Ohashi stole the ball from Souza on the edge of the box.
Moore’s excellent hold up play has been a feature of United’s display and his work rate and skill was shown in a passage of play where he held off his man twice and kept United high up the field. One move saw Burrows nearly get a strike away before Moore twice was involved as it fell for Brooks who played a one two with Arblaster but his shot lacked power and was straight at Pears.
Ohashi had a chance but Burrows got back to make a tackle before a triple chance came with the Japanese man departing, along with Travis and Rankin Costello. Gueye, Pickering and Buckley came on. Cantwell stole down the right beating the offside trap but his cross was poor and Cooper scooped it up.
Souza got absolutely smashed by Gueye with a leading elbow and it was surprising that the card was only yellow. Replays showed what a horrific challenge it was and he was extremely fortunate not to be sent back where he had only just come from!
Moore then was in the wars and was bleeding around his ear as his strong play continued to be a focal point for United who had dominated most of the second half. Arblaster had improved and with the excellent Souza, able to continue after the challenge, United were controlling the middle of the field. There were chances for more goals for the visitors and often it came from Moore’s strong work and then Souza’s link play. Burrows had a chance after Arblaster found him but took too long before the young midfielder fed Hamer who tried an effort with the outside of his foot but Pears saved. Campbell then found Moore whose low shot was turned round the post.
Rovers were now looking a spent force and Moore excellent work saw him return the favour in feeding Campbell but Pears got out to spread himself. The ball dropped and Arblaster tried a lobbed finish, like the one Hamer scored at Preston on opening day, but this effort lacked power and Pears got back to make the catch before it dropped over the line.
Hamer then did well to outpace Cantwell and from the resulting move, Burrows was in again but his drive was just wide of the far post with Pears this time seemingly well beaten. Burrows continued to look a threat and had another run down the left but his cross was blocked off. Due to the stoppages to Souza and Moore, there was to be 8 minutes of stoppage time but United continued to look the more likely to score again. Hamer was played in by Souza and Pears seemed to use his hands to deny a third goal, as he raced off his line but the officials felt it came off his chest.
Gilchrist and McCallum came off for Seriki and Moore but United were easing to the win and saw off two late long throws with comfort and kept another clean sheet as they moved up to second before the afternoon kick offs.
Wilder made 2 changes in his starting line up with Brewster and Robinson in for Campbell and the suspended Ahmedhodzic. Rovers also tweaked their line up with Ohashi back in as the lone striker supported by Dolan and Cantwell.
The game started with United winning an early corner but Souza then had to do some sterling defensive work to recover a break going the other way. Travis and then Rak Sayki both won free kicks deep in their own territory as it swung both ways in the opening stages. Robinson was caught out by Ohashi and this led to Blackburn winning their first corner. Soon after the first real opening came as the dangerous Ohashi came inside and Gilchrist had to make the block. Blackburn had most of the possession and territory and had settled better with the loose stuff being picked up by those in blue and white.
Moore then won a free kick to give United some relief as Hyam was penalised for handball. Burrows took it but hit the wall, as he did last week in a similar position. Souza had issues with his boot laces as he claimed he was fouled but soon after this the Blades took the lead with their first real chance. The ball was moved across patiently with Rak Sayki involved and Arblaster opted not to take the shot on initially but Souza did. The ball flashed across goal and Rankin Costello botched his clearance leading to the ball dropping to BURROWS. The ex-Posh man had a lot to do but drove in a superb angled drive into the far corner for his first Blades goal.
Moore then did well to hold the ball up twice and fed Rak Sayki and the winger played it back to Moore and his cross was intended for O’Hare but the Blackburn defender made a crucial block. United were buoyed by the goal and Rak Sayki was a constant threat as he was causing all sort of problems for the young full back Beck. Twice he went past him in quick succession and on the second occasion, he found Brewster whose shot was blocked.
Souttar had to be alive to deny Ohashi after some loose stuff from Arblaster. The young midfielder did not learn his lesson and gave it away cheaply again and this led to a great chance for Rovers to level. Ohashi made the running fed the overlapping Dolan whose cross seemed certain to be converted by the oncoming Hedges but the midfielder inexplicably did not make any contact with the goal gaping.
United’s sloppy play continued as they continued to cough up possession cheaply which was disappointing as they seemed to have control of the game after an uncertain start and had Blackburn worried when they did attack. The home fans started to find their voice and Dolan’s skill saw him move past Robinson and the experienced defender cynically brought him down earning him a yellow card – the first of the game.
The home fans frustration with the referee seemed to be boiling over and his inability to spot an advantage after Arblaster brought down his man did not help their mood. Rovers won a late corner but United cleared and went into the break with a narrow lead.
United started the second half well and won a free kick and two corners. From an Arblaster free kick, Moore’s header was pushed over by Pears and United kept the pressure on in a positive start. O’Hare was booked for a handball as Rovers looked to break. Ohashi tried to get away from Burrows but Robinson shepherded it out for a corner. Blackburn did have a great opportunity when Cantwell sent over a dangerous cross and Rankin Costello could not get enough on his header. It was a good opportunity and a let off for United’s otherwise excellent defence.
Brewster had gone down on a couple of occasions and his ran was finally run when he came off for Campbell, as the striker limped of after another ineffective display. Burrows put in a superb cross that saw Moore head across the goal and Hyam had to nod off the line. Weimann and Brittain replaced Dolan and Hedges but soon after United doubled their lead.
Souza won the ball in the middle of the field, as he had done all day and Arblaster helped it on. Moore did superbly to fend off his man, came inside and picked out CAMPBELL but although his first effort was too close to Pears and pushed out, the striker kept his composure to acrobatically smash the ball home. His second chance was probably harder than his first but it was superbly finished and it was two in two for the former Stoke man, as he celebrated in front of the 4,000 travelling Blades fans.
Hamer and Brooks came on for O’Hare and Rak Sayki as United looked to rotate the side with three games in 8 days but Rankin Costello showed this game was not done as he picked up the ball and curled wide after Ohashi stole the ball from Souza on the edge of the box.
Moore’s excellent hold up play has been a feature of United’s display and his work rate and skill was shown in a passage of play where he held off his man twice and kept United high up the field. One move saw Burrows nearly get a strike away before Moore twice was involved as it fell for Brooks who played a one two with Arblaster but his shot lacked power and was straight at Pears.
Ohashi had a chance but Burrows got back to make a tackle before a triple chance came with the Japanese man departing, along with Travis and Rankin Costello. Gueye, Pickering and Buckley came on. Cantwell stole down the right beating the offside trap but his cross was poor and Cooper scooped it up.
Souza got absolutely smashed by Gueye with a leading elbow and it was surprising that the card was only yellow. Replays showed what a horrific challenge it was and he was extremely fortunate not to be sent back where he had only just come from!
Moore then was in the wars and was bleeding around his ear as his strong play continued to be a focal point for United who had dominated most of the second half. Arblaster had improved and with the excellent Souza, able to continue after the challenge, United were controlling the middle of the field. There were chances for more goals for the visitors and often it came from Moore’s strong work and then Souza’s link play. Burrows had a chance after Arblaster found him but took too long before the young midfielder fed Hamer who tried an effort with the outside of his foot but Pears saved. Campbell then found Moore whose low shot was turned round the post.
Rovers were now looking a spent force and Moore excellent work saw him return the favour in feeding Campbell but Pears got out to spread himself. The ball dropped and Arblaster tried a lobbed finish, like the one Hamer scored at Preston on opening day, but this effort lacked power and Pears got back to make the catch before it dropped over the line.
Hamer then did well to outpace Cantwell and from the resulting move, Burrows was in again but his drive was just wide of the far post with Pears this time seemingly well beaten. Burrows continued to look a threat and had another run down the left but his cross was blocked off. Due to the stoppages to Souza and Moore, there was to be 8 minutes of stoppage time but United continued to look the more likely to score again. Hamer was played in by Souza and Pears seemed to use his hands to deny a third goal, as he raced off his line but the officials felt it came off his chest.
Gilchrist and McCallum came off for Seriki and Moore but United were easing to the win and saw off two late long throws with comfort and kept another clean sheet as they moved up to second before the afternoon kick offs.
