Sheffield United 1 Fulham 1
Frustration and satisfaction were to be found in equal measure at Bramall Lane, where Fulham narrowly escaped becoming Sheffield United's second Premier League scalp of the season. Yet Fulham were left to bemoan their inability to finish the job off at the first attempt.
Hugo Rodallega’s goal 15 minutes from time ended the League One side’s resistance – the barricades having been manned by only 10 men following the sending-off of Michael Doyle early in the second half – but penalty claims turned down for both sides meant that neither team could feel overly aggrieved by the result.
United's appeal which came five minutes before Rodallega's equaliser, saw Ryan Flynn tumble over Aaron Hughes' leg. Andre Marriner was unmoved, as he had been in the first half when, seconds after Chris Porter had given the Blades a lead, Rodallega had gone to ground as the United goalkeeper, George Long, slid out.
Relegation battles
The result means a replay that both sides deserved yet, given their respective relegation battles, neither will relish.
Following a scrappy opening quarter, the League One side were ahead after 32 minutes. Harry Maguire, a big centre-half, rumbled forward from the back and his low cross-shot was touched home by Porter.
Within 10 minutes of the interval United’s task became that much harder following the loss of their goalscorer, their defensive linchpin and their captain through a mixture of misfortune and indiscipline
The misfortune befell Porter and Maguire, both of whom suffered injuries. The indiscipline belonged to the captain, Doyle, who lashed out after an altercation with Chris David and was shown red.
United dug their trenches in the soggy turf until Rodallega found space on the edge of the box and fired into the bottom corner to earn Fulham a reprieve and a replay.
Guardian Service
