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Brave Darius the daddy for Blades - MATCH REPORT AND SLIDESHOW
IF SHEFFIELD United supporters thought the 24 hours leading up to this fixture were difficult, they were nothing compared to those endured by the match-winner.
While followers of Kevin Blackwell's side vented their spleen at the news James Beattie, the club's leading striker, could be poised to join Stoke, Darius Henderson was rushing to London after learning his 10-week-old son had been admitted to hospital with a serious chest infection.
Henderson returned south on Saturday evening for progress reports on young Brody's condition but not before scoring the goal which put Norwich City to the sword and ensured the former England international' Beattie's future was not the only subject of discussion.
"He's stable at the moment," Henderson said. "There was a little bit of doubt about my involvement but it was a decision made between the manager and myself.
"It's been a bit frustrating for me here because I've never really been able to get going because of injury and suspension but hopefully I can get some momentum.
"I just went out there, worked hard, and I want to dedicate that one to my lad."
Henderson's first-half effort - a text-book far-post header from Danny Webber's cross - had symbolic as well as sporting value.
United, now unbeaten since December 6, climbed to fourth in the Championship table ahead of tomorrow's rearranged FA Cup third-round tie at Leyton Orient.
And, perhaps just as importantly, proved that should Beattie depart it does not necessarily signal the end of their promotion ambitions.
Kevin McCabe, United's chairman, confirmed before kick-off that an offer from the Britannia Stadium has been received but falls short of the Blades' valuation of a player who has hit the target 34 times in just 65 appearances.
McCabe reiterated his pledge to immediately invest any transfer-window money raised back into Blackwell's squad.
Beattie, whose absence was officially attributed to a bout of flu, will be extremely difficult to replace if Stoke or any other Premier League team prise him away from South Yorkshire.
And although United would swiftly sign a replacement -with Reading's Leroy Lita the most probable candidate -Henderson's 2 million price tag means he is still under immense pressure to perform.
"We all know what's been going on and with all the speculation it didn't make it any easier to prepare," Blackwell said.
"Darius has come in and he's had to fill the gap, at least that's how people will see it, and that was always going to be hard.
Especially after the week he's had.
He did really, really well."
Relishing the opportunity to enjoy the limelight, Henderson marked his first outing since completing a three-match ban following his sending-off at Swansea with a performance which bristled with power and purpose as United seized the early initiative.
Stephen Quinn thundered a volley against the woodwork before the summer capture from Watford handed them an advantage which they seldom looked like surrendering until Wes Hoolahan struck a post during added time.
Another Henderson attempt, this time from long-range, was comfortably saved by David Marshall but the Norwich goalkeeper had to be a full-stretch to prevent him from taking his United tally to four soon after the re-start.
Norwich improved immeasurably after that, with Arturo Lupoli in particular emerging as a real threat.
The Italian, on-loan from Fiorentina, saw a header shave the post with Paddy Kenny, chosen ahead of Ian Bennett despite missing United's last two games following a disciplinary matter, wrong-footed.
But Kenny recovered his poise to deny Gary Doherty with an excellent stop just before the final whistle.
Norwich manager Glenn Roeder, whose team slipped to 21st, said: "We've come up against opponents full of top-flight players who will probably go up at the end of the season."
United hope he is right.
BOSS'S VIEW:
"Darius has come in and he's had to fill the gap, at least that's how people will see it, and that was always going to be hard. Especially with the week he's had.
"Anyone who comes in for Beatts is always going to be under a lot of pressure but he did really, really well."
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Weather for Sheffield
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
