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Watford 0-1 Sheff Utd Watford 0-1 Sheff Utd
(1 day later)
Former Watford striker Danny Webber scored a controversial winner against his old club to give Sheffield United a crucial win in their relegation fight.Former Watford striker Danny Webber scored a controversial winner against his old club to give Sheffield United a crucial win in their relegation fight.
Substitute Webber headed in from close range in the 88th minute, though replays suggested he was offside.Substitute Webber headed in from close range in the 88th minute, though replays suggested he was offside.
United probably deserved the win given both Christian Nade and Rob Hulse had struck the post in the second half.United probably deserved the win given both Christian Nade and Rob Hulse had struck the post in the second half.
Chris Powell was red carded in stoppage time after picking up a second yellow card to compound Watford's misery.Chris Powell was red carded in stoppage time after picking up a second yellow card to compound Watford's misery.
Interview: Watford boss Adie Boothroyd Interview: Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock
606: DEBATE Come on Watford - what happened to the team from last season who could pass PE 606: Have your say606: DEBATE Come on Watford - what happened to the team from last season who could pass PE 606: Have your say
If United's win was dramatic in its timing, the preceding 87 minutes provided plenty of evidence both these sides will do well to be playing Premiership football next season.If United's win was dramatic in its timing, the preceding 87 minutes provided plenty of evidence both these sides will do well to be playing Premiership football next season.
The ball was in the air as much as it was on the floor, with neither side seemingly capable or even willing to string a series of passes together.The ball was in the air as much as it was on the floor, with neither side seemingly capable or even willing to string a series of passes together.
It made for grim watching.It made for grim watching.
The desperate search for Premiership points was such that the Vicarage Road ballboys would only dry the ball with a towel for the home team when it went out of play for a throw.The desperate search for Premiership points was such that the Vicarage Road ballboys would only dry the ball with a towel for the home team when it went out of play for a throw.
That lack of sportsmanship had Neil Warnock angrily prowling the touchline and he became so animated at one point he sarcastically proferred his own towel, throwing it down on the side of the pitch.That lack of sportsmanship had Neil Warnock angrily prowling the touchline and he became so animated at one point he sarcastically proferred his own towel, throwing it down on the side of the pitch.
Early on Tommy Smith briefly illuminated proceedings with a run and a shot that went narrowly over the bar.Early on Tommy Smith briefly illuminated proceedings with a run and a shot that went narrowly over the bar.
Darius Henderson's instinctive volley then drew a reaction save from Paddy Kenny, with Chris Morgan clearing the ball for a corner.Darius Henderson's instinctive volley then drew a reaction save from Paddy Kenny, with Chris Morgan clearing the ball for a corner.
Another Watford shot, this time from Gavin Mahon, caused more problems for the visitors in that Claude Davis was injured in trying to block the ball and had to be replaced by Leigh Bromby.Another Watford shot, this time from Gavin Mahon, caused more problems for the visitors in that Claude Davis was injured in trying to block the ball and had to be replaced by Leigh Bromby.
United had few chances in that opening half, but Warnock's side probably had the best openings when after a bout of aerial ping-pong the ball dropped into the path of Nade.United had few chances in that opening half, but Warnock's side probably had the best openings when after a bout of aerial ping-pong the ball dropped into the path of Nade.
Making his first Premiership start, Nade only had Watford goalkeeper Richard Lee to beat but the ball did not bounce kindly for the Frenchman and the danger passed.Making his first Premiership start, Nade only had Watford goalkeeper Richard Lee to beat but the ball did not bounce kindly for the Frenchman and the danger passed.
In the first minute of the second half Nade outsprinted Malky Mackay but embarrassingly miscued in trying to pull the ball back to Keith Gillespie.In the first minute of the second half Nade outsprinted Malky Mackay but embarrassingly miscued in trying to pull the ball back to Keith Gillespie.
On the other flank Derek Geary delivered two good crosses that troubled the Watford defence.On the other flank Derek Geary delivered two good crosses that troubled the Watford defence.
Hulse was just unable to reach the first cross, but when the second came over soon afterwards Nade crashed a header against the upright.Hulse was just unable to reach the first cross, but when the second came over soon afterwards Nade crashed a header against the upright.
Just past the hour Nade missed a third chance when he blazed over the bar following a cross from Gillespie.Just past the hour Nade missed a third chance when he blazed over the bar following a cross from Gillespie.
United continued to create the better chances and Hulse struck the woodwork for a second time when it looked easier to score.United continued to create the better chances and Hulse struck the woodwork for a second time when it looked easier to score.
Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd's solution to United's second-half dominance was to introduce giant centre-back Dan Shittu and deploy him as a forward.Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd's solution to United's second-half dominance was to introduce giant centre-back Dan Shittu and deploy him as a forward.
But it was United's substitute Webber that changed the course of the game when he was on hand to head in following a goalmouth scramble.But it was United's substitute Webber that changed the course of the game when he was on hand to head in following a goalmouth scramble.
Watford might have had a penalty when they claimed Rob Kozluk had handled and soon after Powell was dismissed for collecting a second yellow card.Watford might have had a penalty when they claimed Rob Kozluk had handled and soon after Powell was dismissed for collecting a second yellow card.


  • Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd:
  • "Danny Webber's goal was offside but let's be right about things, we didn't perform.
  • Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd:
  • "Danny Webber's goal was offside but let's be right about things, we didn't perform.
    "They hit the post twice and deserved to win, simple as that. We didn't play our way, didn't compete, and things we are normally very good at we didn't do."They hit the post twice and deserved to win, simple as that. We didn't play our way, didn't compete, and things we are normally very good at we didn't do.
    ""If we lie down now then we've got a problem but I'm sure we'll bounce back."""If we lie down now then we've got a problem but I'm sure we'll bounce back."
  • Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock:
  • "We were determined to win and I thought we showed that.
  • Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock:
  • "We were determined to win and I thought we showed that.
    "It was the biggest game of the season - we had said before if you want to stay in the Premiership you have to win, make no mistake about that."It was the biggest game of the season - we had said before if you want to stay in the Premiership you have to win, make no mistake about that.
    "It's absolutely fantastic to come away with three points. It was hard work but I thought we were magnificent.""It's absolutely fantastic to come away with three points. It was hard work but I thought we were magnificent."


    Watford: Lee, Chambers, Mackay, DeMerit, Powell, Spring (Doyley 46), Francis, Mahon, McNamee (Shittu 72), Smith, Henderson.Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Stewart, Priskin.Watford: Lee, Chambers, Mackay, DeMerit, Powell, Spring (Doyley 46), Francis, Mahon, McNamee (Shittu 72), Smith, Henderson.Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Stewart, Priskin.
    Sent Off: Powell (90).Sent Off: Powell (90).
    Booked: Mahon, Henderson, Powell.Booked: Mahon, Henderson, Powell.
    Sheff Utd: Kenny, Kozluk, Morgan, Davis (Bromby 30), Geary, Gillespie, Leigertwood, Jagielka, Alan Quinn (Kazim-Richards 83), Hulse, Nade (Webber 73).Subs Not Used: Montgomery, Law.Sheff Utd: Kenny, Kozluk, Morgan, Davis (Bromby 30), Geary, Gillespie, Leigertwood, Jagielka, Alan Quinn (Kazim-Richards 83), Hulse, Nade (Webber 73).Subs Not Used: Montgomery, Law.
    Booked: Kozluk.Booked: Kozluk.
    Goals: Webber 88.Goals: Webber 88.
    Att: 18,887.Att: 18,887.
    Ref: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire).Ref: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire).