MATCH REPORT: Sheffield United 2 Preston 1
Goal glee: Joy for Ched Evans
QUITE what Sir Tom Finney made of Preston North End’s tactics must remain open to debate.
But Ched Evans’ contribution to a victory which strengthens Sheffield United’s grip on League One‘s second automatic promotion place, would certainly have earned a nod of approval from Deepdale’s favourite footballing son.
Against opponents who, under Graham Westley’s tutelage, appear determined to follow an altogether different route to the one carved by their famous forefathers, two emphatic finishes from the Wales international striker enabled United to cut through the gamesmanship and turn the tables on a North End side at times seemingly more interested in playing mind games than the match itself.
“Ched can give us an advantage and an edge over the opposition,” Danny Wilson, the United manager, said. “When people see his name on the team sheet they’ll worry because his goals demand that respect. It’s very much a psychological boost.
“I really can’t fault him.”
Evans, who had earlier missed a penalty, scored his 20th and 21st goals of the season in emphatic style after Graham Cummins had headed North End in front.
The first, after Harry Maguire, Richard Cresswell and Stephen Quinn had combined, saw him pounce from close-range when Thorsten Stuckmann had failed to smother Ryan Flynn’s shot.
The second, a powerful half-volley from distance after North End had cleared Lee Williamson’s corner, revealed the confidence coarsing through the Wales international’s veins at present.
“Ched is going great guns at the moment,” Wilson continued. “People here have got belief in him and quite rightly so when you see what he’s capable of doing.
“Even when he didn’t get the penalty, we always knew he’d keep on enjoying chances because he’s working so hard and doesn’t get disappointed. His record speaks for itself but his all-round play is improving all the time too.
“It’s a pleasure to have Ched around because he’s so respectful to everyone. I can’t speak highly enough of him.”
Westley, who in a previous guise as Stevenage manager had condemned United to defeat earlier this term, insisted Wilson’s men could be fazed by the sight of him stalking the technical area before crossing the Pennines in search of another famous win.
But Wilson’s men are an altogether different proposition to the team which succumbed at Broadhall Way five months ago.
Durable and possessing guts as well as guile, they were certainly dazed when a series of crunching North End challenges, most notably Alex Marrow’s lunge on United captain Michael Doyle, set the tone for what proved to be an abrasive contest.
But they were most definitely not confused despite at times struggling to shatter North End’s stoic resolve.
Wilson insisted: “Those were an excellent three points. Everyone could see how tough it was out there.”
Not that United’s afternoon was a complete success, with Evans producing a spot-kick which, by his own admission, was “completely terrible” and, more importantly, Kevin McDonald limping-off midway through the first half with a hamstring injury which seems certain to rule the midfielder out of Sunday’s Steel City derby at Hillsborough.
It’s a huge blow given McDonald’s influence in recent weeks but, Wilson insisted, cushioned by Nick Montgomery’s continued presence at Bramall Lane despite being courted by several Championship clubs during the recent transfer window.
“Monty has been really unlucky of late because the players who came in when he was out have done ever so well,” Wilson said. “But there’s always an opportunity in football and we know Monty is a quality player because he’s shown it time and time again.
“Credit goes to him and also the people higher up at this club for the fact that he’s still here. Situations like this demonstrate why it is so important to have that depth of cover.
“Macca felt it go straight away,” Wilson added. “So that’s not a good sign.
“It’s unlikely that he’ll play (against Wednesday) but there’s always a chance. We’ll know more later on.”
Westley has wasted no time stamping his mark on North End’s squad, with seven of members of their starting line-up, including Cummins, drafted in since his appointment last month.
Stuckmann, a towering German, embellished his reputation as a penalty specialist by saving his fifth spot-kick of the campaign after Evans had been hauled back by Aaron Brown before also foiling Cresswell with his legs.
North End took the lead against the run of play when Cummins, a recent signing from Cork City, met Nicky Hunt’s cross to claim his first goal in English football before Evans restored parity.
Stuckmann produced another wonderful block to thwart Matt Lowton, with Brown hacking United substitute James Beattie’s effort off the line on the rebound.
But from the resulting corner, he could only watch as Evans unleashed a vicious thunderbolt which tore into the back of North End’s net.
Referee watch
Preston North End’s Alex Marrow was fortunate to escape with only a caution after a late second minute lunge on Sheffield United captain Michael Doyle. Graham Cummins and Aaron Brown followed their team mate into the referee’s notebook.
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Comments
There are 24 comments to this article
Page 1 of 2
Mancblade
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 04:58 PMUTO1: You talk some bs you plank. How do you know who fooes to games and who does not? FYI Last season i had a season ticket the same as the year before and the same as this season and the next UTB
Mancblade
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 04:58 PMUTO1: You talk some bs you plank. How do you know who fooes to games and who does not? FYI Last season i had a season ticket the same as the year before and the same as this season and the next UTB
Donny Blades
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 09:42 AM@pnefc ok. Yes things are getting very bad my friend its been an easy double over your lot and the way you play football is horrible! I would blame your manager! Oh and get used to it looks like you will be joining the pigs in some hoofball! Good luck on your mid table finish.....
pnefc ok
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 10:57 PMThings must be bad if we are getting slated for tactics and foul play by sheff utd, "The Kings of Foulplay"
The Cat
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 08:05 PMEyup from Bristol LRB, did you mean cr4p or carp ?
The Cat
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 08:04 PMUTO1, I have missed around 20 games at the lane since 1958, and I am on here win lose or draw mate.
Ldn Rd Blade
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 07:51 PMWhat was lucky uto1, the fast paced passing and moving that led to the first or cheds rocket for the second? Prestons finger tip save and header that preceded the second, now that was lucky. I guess they didn't show that on look north, they did on the football league show but i guess you haven't watched that for weeks now. No point staying up to watch the other team score is there? I think you've been watching carp for so long you think good football is lucky.
Ldn Rd Blade
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 07:43 PMPiece of carp website!
UTO1
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 07:20 PMJust seen the goals on Look North...... When are the blunts luck in front of goal going to dry up??? 15 posts on the "Massive's" page and 37 on the Owls page, the majority being blunts on ours who haven't even been on their own page I might add..... Well when I say their own page, the majority of blunts on our page don't go to any matches..... Come to think of it nor do the majority on here..... Where were most of you last season when you were struggling all season, where was you support then, how come you're all on now? Silver and Lnd Rd being the exception. UTO
mackemblade
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 06:12 PMComment removed by moderator
Gerimo
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 04:53 PMThe red cards were for 2 yellows,if you want to count all the fouls you can,you could easily get 8 yellow cards in the next 2 games,all I was saying is we are no worse than you.
Ldn Rd Blade
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 04:08 PMProof WTID, 0v0, owls20 talks carp http:www.thestar.co.uksportfootballsheffield-unitedwilson_wild_about_ched_s_best_game_for_blades_1_3966860 13(0v0) Monday, November 14, 2011 at 01:13 PM Thinking about it, you are innocent until proven guilty. You are right. I am just thinking like a farther who as daughters, thinking how the girl and her family are feeling. But you are right.
roy 50
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 02:12 PMI thought United did well against Westleys long ball and physical side. Just a shame the officials were poor as i was amazed they finished the game still with 11 men on the pitch. You have to feel sorry for the Preston fans having to put up with that style of football. Good to see united come out on top in a match where the tactics of Preston are similar what we expect at Hillsborough
DannyBlade
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 01:31 PM@5 you really are a moron arent you my old son. You grunters supported Mandaric when he was only alleged to have done some wrong-doings, and rightly so because in this country we are innocent til proven guilty, just like Super Ched Evans is. Did you also not support Reda Johnson when he was charged for false imprisonment of 2 young women, or when Madine was found guiltry of assault (yet again) or when he was found guilty of arson on his parents next door neighbours car??!! so dont come preaching crap about criminals and whos guilty of what etc until the verdicts are official. Go and spout your garbage and totally pointless sh!t elsewhere you deluded pig
mackemblade
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 01:23 PM#8 Gerimo:- Given that 48 is" just as much" as 55 can you help me equate 57 and 62 ? Also interesting you dont mention red cards or fouls committed ? #9 LRB - good post. Shame that higher moral ground occupied by WTID doesnt extend to homophobia given previous "gay as" comments.
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