Blades tame Tigers in FA Cup Tie

Sheffield United 1-1 Hull City

Sheffield United held Hull City to a 1-1 draw in their fifth round FA Cup tie at Bramall Lane.

Premier League side Hull city were looking to reach the FA Cup quarter finals for the first time since 1971, whilst this fixture marked the first anniversary of Blades boss Kevin Blackwell’s arrival at Sheffield United.

Hull City were forced to rest their influential midfielder Jimmy Bullard, as he was suffering with a knee injury. Sheffield United’s absentees were strikers Darius Henderson and Arturo Lupoli.

The Blades took an early lead after 6 minutes when Greg Halford latched onto a David Cotterill cross to head home a powerful header past Hull keeper Boaz Myhill.

The Tigers began to pile on the pressure with Richard Garcia heading an Andy Dawson corner over the bar; Hull City began to dominate the game and were rewarded for their persistence on the 34th minute when Dawson turned provider again with Kamil Zayatte rising on to a curling free kick to head a glancing header past Paddy Kenny to make it 1-1.

Sheffield United attempting to take the lead again at the stroke of half time when Cotterill swerved in another dangerous cross which Billy Sharp headed wide.

Both teams were searching for the winner in the second half with Hull City appealing for a penalty after striker Celeb Folan was taken down early on by Halford, referee Andre Marriner waved away the Tigers protests.

Hull City came closest to finding a winner when Bernard Mendy darted through United’s defence, but unable to pick out Manucho inside the opponents area.

The match ended in a stalemate; with both teams failing to find a second goal and a place in the quarter final will have to be decided by a replay which will take place at Hull City’s KC Stadium on Thursday 26th February.

BY Sean O'Malley