Hull 0 United 3 - report

It was a sensational day for the United who stole a march on their promotion rivals by winning 3-0 at the KC Stadium. They then saw Leeds lost 2-0 at Griffin Park to give the Blades the ***** edge with just two games to play. United thoroughly outplayed Hull and cantered to a three-goal lead before seeing out the game comfortably before waiting on the Leeds defeat to see them now only needing one more win, in all likelihood to gain promotion to the Premier League.

Wilder brought back John Egan from suspension for Richard Stearman and also opted to go with Scott Hogan for Gary Madine up top. Chris Basham was also deemed fit to take his place on the bench. Hull started with former Blade George Long in goal but were unbeaten at home since November and fielded real threats in Grosicki and Bowen at the top of the pitch.

Hull started the game on top and Henderson had to push away a cross from Grosicki on the angle as United were forced back in the early proceedings. The Blades came out from this early defensive spell and started to move the ball around and Duffy nearly Hogan with a through ball. United won a corner soon after and the opening goal came from it.

Fleck whipped in the delivery and MCGOLDRICK met it on the full to power his header into the back of the net and send the sold-out Blades following into raptures. United kept coming and won a corner soon after as they were completely dominating the game. Baldock and Stevens both got forward but had crosses cut out. Hogan then nearly got on the end of a cross from the left before at the other end Pugh’s cross had to be cut out from Stevens.

It was not long before the second goal came though and this time it came from a moment of individual brilliance. MCGOLDRICK won the ball in a 50-50 challenge and came inside and hit a superb curling effort that flew past former keeper Long into the net. United were in dreamland. A superb start and McGoldrick had scored two goals to set the Blades well on their way to a *****ly important victory.

Hull came back and forced a number of corners but they came to nothing and United’s fluent attacking moves continued with Fleck and Baldock combining that nearly led to a chance. Stevens was in on goal and had a goal bound effort blocked before Hogan also nearly got in for a rampant United side who were looking to turn the screw.

The third goal came when after patient build up Baldock sent a deep cross over and STEVENS met it on the full with a powerful header that flew into the far corner of the goal. United were absolutely bossing the game and were in complete control.

United saw out the final stages of the first half with ease in a completely dominant performance where they had taken Hull apart winning battle on and off the ball and scoring three good goals.

The second half saw Hull have a spell on goal but they did not really threaten and a Pugh effort was about as good as it got. Fleck broke up play and Duffy nearly found Hogan as a confident United team continued to dominate proceedings. Baldock nearly got in but his cross evaded everyone as the Blades impressive performance continued. Basham came on for Duffy on the hour and then Hull introduced Toral and Dicko for Campbell and Dicko. United’s game management second half was excellent as they kept the ball when they could and saw out any Hull threats with sensible but resilient defending.

Madine came on for Hogan and then McGoldrick fired over after more good work from the in form striker. Fleck then won a tackle and released Stevens whose cross just missed a Blades player in the field. Toral had an effort over and then Bowen had a shot blocked as United kept their composure and organisation. The game was ticking over nicely but the good football continued to be the away side who moved it side to side nicely but could not quite work an opening. Bowen had a shot saved from Henderson in a rare effort on goal but it was comfortable for the keeper.

A superb move from the Blades saw several passes moved inside and McGoldrick’s flick put Fleck in the clear but his effort was saved by Long. At this stage the away support were jubilant and were cheering every tackle, pass and tackle as the Blades saw things out with ease.

Toral had a shot hit Irvine but the game was now in stoppage time and some professional game management from United saw them see out the four minutes of stoppage time with comfort as Baldock and Madine saw things out in the right-hand corner. The final whistle came soon after and the United away contingent celebrated the victory in unison with the players as they took another giant step towards a possible promotion place.

United – Superb performance. Been a bit critical of the team recently thinking they have been a bit safe in certain aspects of the game and been more workmanlike but today we came out and attacking wise we took the game to Hull. The wing backs got forward and we were on it. The midfield got close to the opponents, swarmed all over Hull and forced them back. We were pressing them back and forcing the issue. We scored a goal from a corner and then a lovely individual goal but could have had more goals as chances aplenty came. We looked the side we had seen for much of the season but maybe have not seen as much in recent times as we have been more pragmatic. Today, we got back to the high intensity pressing United who played on the front foot with the whole team in an attacking philosophy and we really pushed them back. We scored three first half but it could have been more. They could not live with us. It was a superb first half display. They had a few attacks early on and right at the end of the half but really, they were never in it at all and the Blades surged all over them. The midfield won most of the loose stuff, the wing backs got forward and Duffy got into those little areas. McGoldrick was simply sensational and scored two goals. Stevens was another one (along with McGoldrick in the form of his life) and scored and could have had another. United looked imperious and they were not to be held back. 3-0 was about right. We had been that good; on and off the ball.

Second half it was about managing the situation and we did that well. If anything, we still had as many chances as they did but the game was done but we made it that way by professionally doing our job. O’Connell, Cranie and Egan were rock solid and stopped any running getting in deep. The wing backs stopped the crosses and the midfield did their job with tackles, blocks but also little passes to keep the ball. The 2nd half performance was just totally professional and United looked a good side. As I said to my mate; just a proper performance. We saw it out with ease. We did the job first half and then were solid without being silly.

Some really good performances. Stevens great again and McGoldrick is just playing out of his skin. Everything he touches turns to gold. What a player. Technically supreme. Playing in his own pace at the moment and teams cannot live with him. Fleck was excellent today. Back to his best, harrying and pressing, turning us the other way with his tackling and then forward passing. Hogan was a nuisance if not that effectual with the ball. Duffy also did a good job. No one was bad today. A really solid team performance. The defence just kept a good shape and cleared and blocked when they had to. United looked a proper team and it was a regulation win as much for the effort off the ball as the play on it.

The players came to the fans at the end and you sensed the belief on and off the field. A real togetherness. You sensed that everyone believed we can do this. The result at Leeds a few hours later means United have an incredible chance of promotion. Leeds have really faltered badly and United to be fair have seized the initiative with two big wins. We know now we are one win away from nearly being there. We have to be patient next Saturday and ensure that even if we don’t score, that no one panics. All we need to do is win the game. Does not matter when it comes. The fans have to be incredible next week. They have to cheer every pass, boo every opposition touch and really push them over the line. It could be a special week. We are not there yet, but a big last effort next week and we are nearly there.

Hull – I expected better. They have been very strong at home. They started the game ok and pushed us back but they did not create much and then slowly United took control. Poor marking on the header and then let McGoldrick come inside. They tossed away two poor goals and then another from a cross and header. United looked like scoring every time we attacked and they were all over the place at the back. They had a few attacks but did not look like scoring really. Even second half it was all a bit desperate and half hearted. They knew the game was up. They were well beaten. The flair players Grosicki and Bowen never got in the game and United forced them back. They have been excellent at home but United swarmed all over them and they had no answer. They have nothing to play for and it showed second half as the Blades just saw things out easily.

To be fair to Adkins, he has done a good job to get them half way. They have a few decent individual players although may lose a few of these in the summer. They lack experience in key areas and not sure defensively they are that solid and concede a lot of goals (7 in 2 games sums it up against the better teams). Still a lot of ownership stuff off the field but will be delighted with a mid-table finish. Next season will be tough for them to push much higher without investment. Adkins is apparently close to a new contract and as I say has done ok there considering a poor start and they even flirted with the playoffs. Still glad he is not our manager. Today, they a pretty insipid passion less bunch and lost fairly comfortably but of course have not shown this since Xmas where they have done well, especially at home. The atmosphere in the ground cannot help with large swathes of the ground empty.

–

Opponent man of the match – Had a few injuries at the back and plugged a few gaps. Long got a start instead of Marshall but he had little chance on the goals and given no protection. No one really stood out. Rosicky got in a few times but did not make the most of chances. Pugh had a few efforts but no one really stood out.

Weak link – The defence was all at sea. De Wijs and McKenzie struggled with the touch and movement of McGoldrick who scored two goals and run them ragged at times. In midfield Batty and Irvine, I felt lost the battle and Norwood and Fleck controlled things most of the game. Campbell was totally ineffective up top and not sure Dicko improved things as they chased the game.

Henderson 7/10 – Solid game. Punched a few away and took a few crosses. Flicked a cross away early on but cannot remember him making many saves of note as the defence protected him well.

Baldock 7.5/10 – Up and down all game. Energetic and caused more problems attacking than Hull caused him. Great cross for the third goal and actually sent a few other decent balls over. Just a solid performance where he showed great fitness all game.

Stevens 8/10 – Another superb performance. Defended well and read danger when it came but bombed forward all game. Scored a great header and had a few other efforts blocked. Getting better and better. He is playing brilliantly at the moment.

Egan 7.5/10 – Solid. Headed everything away and just was solid. Not sure they had any real chances all game and he read things and kept a good solid line.

O’Connell 7.5/10 – As above. Plugged the gaps and just saw us keep a nice line with few breaks from then. We looked very solid at the back today.

Cranie 7.5/10 – Part of a god defensive line but he also got forward when he could and was involved in some decent attacks too. He has been a great signing and massively underrated. There was one moment second half where he headed and cleared it away three times just by intercepting thought balls.

Fleck 7.5/10 – Much better from start to finish. Buzzing around and picked up loose balls but also kept us moving forward. Got into those little areas and helped us turn defence into attack. He was just very busy all game and I felt go on the ball and drove us forward when he could and also ran with it too. Much more like it and did it for a full game too.

Norwood 6.5/10 – Not sure he is playing that great at the moment and his performances are more workmanlike than technically good. He did some decent things with some lovely crossfield balls but also overplayed or tried to be too clever a few times. He did sit in and read things nicely and tracked runners and kept a nice solid shape. Just a bit sloppy on the ball at times but he was ok without being outstanding. Do need one more big performance where his passing leads to chances/goals – next week be nice!

Duffy 6.5/10 – I felt he was busy and got into some decent areas and helped keep them occupied but not sure he was that effective with the ball but he helped move us up the field. Recall a few dribbles and runs but it did not always come up today but you keep him on as he can always draw men and cause a problem. Came off on the hour as we looked to see the game out.

Hogan 6.5/10 – Not sure he did too much with the ball but to be fair he kept them occupied by running into space and drawing men. This may have helped with us penning them back, getting chances and scoring goals. His touch was a bit off and not sure it always stuck but he did run the channels and did a job for the team. We may have played more football with him starting rather than Madine and that is not a criticism of the latter. It just meant we had to play to feet.

McGoldrick 8.5/10 – Brilliant. Scored a header from a corner that was only a half chance and then a brilliant second goal that was all his own work. He looked tremendous first half as he glided one way and then the next and they could not cope with him. He showed superb control, running and poise even outside of the goals. Second half this continued as his industry also meant we could press them high up the field and forced them to kick it long. He is an absolute class act and a pleasure to watch. He slows things down (in a good way) and plays others in by his control, hold up and clever intelligent play. Getting better and better at such a crucial time. Love watching him play.

Subs –

Basham - Came on in midfield and did what he had to as we had the game under control and he just nipped in and won a few loose balls and helped us keep it. Great to see him back for the run in as such a key man.

Madine – Brought on and won a few headers/chest controls as we were looking to just keep a nice spell of possession. A great option that centre halves would dread seeing with time running down. Still think he had been a good signing as given us different options to what we have.


Washington – Not seen much of him for a while but he was given the last minute and stoppage time and helped see things out just by chasing a few balls into the corner.


Wilder 8.5/10 – Got us going from the start. On the front foot and we pressed them, kept it when we had it and generally looked a top side. We scored three goals but I felt we swarmed all over them and just bossed the first half completely. We won the game and then saw it out. Fair play to him for the Hogan pick. He was not great but drew defenders and created space for others. He made good chances but for me that first half was what I wanted to see, United were bang at it. Football with the ball, pressing off it and just bang at it. That’s the side we have seen most of his tenure but not seen as much recently but today we saw it again. Second half just a professional see out job too. He has got us close now. We need another big effort next week and then we can almost celebrate.

Referee – Graham Scott. Not sure there was a bat tackle all game or a contentious decision to make It was a fairly easy game to officiate and he did not need to book anyone and did not. The fact United went 3-0 up made it easy for the officials as the game as done really and they did not need to get involved much


Crowd/Day Out – Great day out again. My first trip to the KC. Good view on the corner and facilities inside were fine although took an age to get in. We got there 2.40pm and got in after kick off as it took an age to get everyone’s tickets scanned and get us in. Seemed very slow really. Quite a few United fans in the home end we could see and it was odd they did not give us more tickets. Only 14,000 there and they could have easily shifted another 3 or 4,000 to Blades. Some great scenes on the goals, half time and full time as the belief started to emanate around the away fans that we could actually do it.

As for the rest of the day; we got to Hull around 10am and had a walk around the old town and the Minster. Walked to the front, near the Deep and then came back to the Marina. We had a few pints here sat in deck chairs at the Bluewater Grill before we moved to the newly developed Humber Street near the front and had lunch at Butler Whites and then moved to the Humber St Distillery. We had another pint at the Atom brewery pub before hopping on a bus to the ground. After the game we went back to the Marina bit and had a few more at the Furley and Co and soaked up the sunshine as they oddly played a George Michael mega mix for an hour! We then got the train and watched the second half of the Leeds game on Sky go to jubilant cheers as the goals/full time came in! Suddenly everyone started to sense we could be doing this! A Sunderland fan got on and described his own teams poor result but shook our hands and declared us as up! Not sure about that but it is all building up a great finish.

Got back to Sheffield and had a final pint for the road at Browns before heading for home. Superb day. Some great banter with the lads I was with and everything for once seemed to go in United’s favour but the team made it happen and in turn the fans responded with superb support.