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Sheffield United 4 Derby 2: MATCH REPORT AND SLIDESHOW
Sheff Utd 4 Naughton (7), Henderson (21 62), Beattie (90) Derby 2 Hulse (52), Bannan (69)
DARIUS Henderson ensured Carlos Tevez was not the only striker to cast a shadow over this fixture.
While the club's lawyers attempted to finalise a 25 million compensation package with West Ham and bring one of the most controversial sagas in English football to a close, Sheffield United's players busied themselves by winning the most enthralling battle Bramall Lane has witnessed in many a season.
Thunderous tackles, pinpoint passing and, as Kevin Blackwell and Nigel Clough both admitted afterwards, some generous defending combined to keep a spellbound crowd on the edge of its seat while the rival managers squirmed uncomfortably on the touchline.
Two goals from Henderson, after Kyle Naughton's early opener, stamped United's authority on the fixture, but Derby County's stubborn resistance meant it was not until substitute Craig Beattie converted deep into stoppage time that they were able to relax.
"We're scoring from everywhere," Blackwell said. "They're going in from different areas and that makes it doubly hard for the opposition.
"It's our responsibility now to be professional and continue to chase.
"That's our job and there are no gimmes so anything can happen.
"There are no games in the UK where that is the case."
Trailing second-placed Birmingham City by eight points, United, who remain fourth, are likely to find themselves negotiating a more convoluted route back to the Premier League.
But Blackwell, who has deliberately distanced himself from Bramall Lane's long-running dispute with Upton Park, can find comfort in the knowledge they have taken another significant step towards delivering a top-six finish.
The next eight, possibly 11 games, will decide whether the money they receive following last autumn's landmark legal victory in London represents an opportunity to build for the future or simply a sticking plaster over a festering wound.
"I've not spoken to anybody about it," Blackwell said. "Whatever happens in court is up to someone else.
"I've not talked about it and, to be honest, I think the sooner it is put to bed the better for everyone concerned.
"Better for Tevez, better for West Ham, better for the sport in general and also for us."
Partnering Jamie Ward, making his first start since completing a 330,000 transfer from Chesterfield, Henderson appeared at the peak of his powers.
But David Cotterill, architect of their first two efforts, was United's most influential performer.
Having seen John-Joe O'Toole, making his full debut, rob Paul Connolly in midfield, it was the Wales international's superb pass which allowed Naughton to break the deadlock before another excellent centre was headed home by Henderson midway through the first half.
"I was delighted for Cotts because he worked his socks off," said Blackwell.
"It was classic stuff from a real winger."
Derby, though, improved immeasurably after the interval.
Former United striker Rob Hulse, who spurned a good opportunity to level before Beattie's late intervention, reduced the deficit after Gary Naysmith had hacked Barry Bannan's shot off the line.
Henderson restored United's cushion just past the hour when, after seizing possession from Stephen Quinn, he held off Martin Albrechtsen before beating Stephen Bywater on the turn.
Bannan left the outcome hanging in the balance after a neat exchange with Steve Davies but, as Derby searched in vain for an equalier, Beattie landed a decisive blow on the counter-attack.
"We were great going forward but we could not defend," Clough lamented.
"The final score was fair reflection.
"Until we can learn to defend at a reasonable level then that's going to be the story. Can we score more goals than the opposition?"
The answer, on this occasion, was 'no'.
Boss's view
That game had everything -tackles, shots, passes and sometimes nave defending. We had a very young midfield out there and that showed at times. But I thought it was us all over that, even when we were winning 3-2 with a couple of minutes to go, the lads were trying to push forward for a fourth.
Not always what we want to see on the touchline but it made for a great spectacle.
Got a view? Add your comment below.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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