SHEFFIELD UNITED 2 CITY 1
FA Cup 4th Round
27th January 2008
attendance 20,800
Scorers
City Sturridge(48)
Sheffield United Shelton(11), Stead(24)
We needed to stamp our Premier League authority on the game. Instead we were bullied out of our stride by a Sheffield United side which showed a cup attitude, and a collective spirit.
The balloon incident should never have happened because the referee should have stopped the game to clear them off the pitch. It is in the rules that if anyone runs on to the pitch or anything is thrown on, like toilet rolls, the game must be stopped. A game in League Two at MK Dons was stopped last week because a water sprinkler suddenly started up during the game.
We have seen balloons on pitches before but not 30 in one goalmouth. Sven twice brought the matter to the attention of the fourth official but but nothing was done about it. Don’t the referees know the rules or don’t they know how to implement them? The balloons were obviously a distraction and contributed to Sheffield United’s first goal. Having said that they deserved their win regardless.
The only saving grace was that young Danny Sturridge came on as a substitute at half-time and showed great technique and quality to score his goal and put us back into the tie.
ADAPTED FROM GARY OWEN’S COLUMN IN THE CITY PROGRAMME 2ND FEBRUARY 2008
spot the ball!
A Great goal from Danny Sturridge
