Match Report


Ski France
today's match is sponsored by Ski France
Match Report
It's a clear sunny day here at Bet 365 Stadium where Stoke City play host to Sheffield United. A crowd of 8,754 fill this 10,500 capacity stadium.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Stoke City are playing in a 3-4-3 formation while Sheffield United appear to be shaped for 4-3-3.
Today's match is refereed by Ben Pearce.


0.00
Stoke City kick off and get the first half underway!
2.59
Paul Scales controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Thierry Byrne. Thierry Byrne advances inside the box! Thierry Byrne shoots from just inside the box. The ball comes in low, but Paul Burbage smothers it!
6.20
Leon Rösler deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Mervin Makin. Mervin Makin knocks the ball forward to Tim Best. Tim Best advances inside the box! Some silky footwork from Tim Best provides him some room. He curls a shot at goal but he balloons it over the crossbar!
8.38
Neil Dalglish threads a neat ball through to George Boateng. George Boateng flicks a high ball forward to Nwankwo Bramble who takes it down. Nwankwo Bramble plays a scrappy one-two with Stephen Campbell and stumbles forward towards the goal... Some silky footwork from Nwankwo Bramble provides him some room. He curls a shot at goal. The ball takes a deflection leaving Paulo Martins with no chance!! Goal for Sheffield United!
15.21
Ledley Ince receives the ball from a throw-in from Lee Brown. Ledley Ince threads a neat ball through to Niccolo Swift. Niccolo Swift knocks in a cross ball towards Thierry Byrne. Thierry Byrne makes a convincing header. The keeper is on top of it. Great save!
16.46
Ivan Potts comes in with a late challenge on Paul Scales. The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Paul Scales grimaces as he struggles to run off the knock.
24.56
Stephen Campbell hacks Eddie Gordon from behind! Stephen Campbell is given a warning by the referee! Eddie Gordon grimaces as he struggles to run off the knock.
26.57
Nicholas Gascoigne makes a simple pass to Lee Brown. Lee Brown makes a probing pass to Nicholas Froggatt. Nicholas Froggatt knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
28.56
George Boateng makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Nwankwo Bramble. Nwankwo Bramble lofts in a cross ball towards Stephen Campbell. Stephen Campbell heads the ball goalwards. It's in!! A beautiful goal for Stephen Campbell!
34.59
Eddie Gordon makes a simple pass to Thierry Byrne. Thierry Byrne sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal but it slams into the crowd!
36.09
Oleg Power flicks a high pass forward. Thierry Byrne holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Thierry Byrne plays a one-two with Ledley Ince and advances towards the goal... Thierry Byrne rockets a shot on goal. Thierry Byrne scores for Stoke City!!
40.46
Paul Scales chips the ball to his team mate, Maryn Pedemas. Maryn Pedemas plays a one-two with Thierry Byrne and advances towards the goal... Maryn Pedemas shoots from just inside the box which easily beats the keeper. Goal!!
45.00
The whistle blows and the first half comes to an end!

Both teams emerge for the second half. Stoke City appear unchanged since the first half. Sheffield United also appear unchanged since the first half.

45.00
Sheffield United kick off and get the second half underway!
48.33
Mervin Makin chips the ball to his team mate, Tim Best. Tim Best lofts in a cross ball towards Nwankwo Bramble. Nwankwo Bramble is unmarked! He powers a header at goal. Paulo Martins is helpless! The ball slams into the back of the net - goal!!
53.41
George Boateng plays the ball forward to Tim Best. Tim Best makes a simple pass, allowing George Boateng to run into the box. George Boateng looks for support before firing off a hurried shot at goal. The ball edges inside the post - goal!!
65.06
Nicholas Froggatt hits a low pass to Niccolo Swift. Niccolo Swift shoots from outside the area but it goes wide for a goal kick.
66.43
Mervin Makin chips the ball to his team mate, Tim Best. Tim Best kicks a strong pass forward to Ivan Potts but the referee indicates it's offside!
71.49
Leon Rösler flicks a high pass forward. Mervin Makin holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Mervin Makin brings the ball forward. Mervin Makin passes the ball forward but Nwankwo Bramble is offside!
73.21
Neil Dalglish controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Nwankwo Bramble. Nwankwo Bramble flicks a high pass forward. Tim Best controls it well on his chest. Tim Best shoots from outside the area. Paulo Martins gets down and covers it.
75.58
Mervin Makin brings the ball forward. Mervin Makin rushes past Nicholas Gascoigne! Mervin Makin looks for support before firing off a hurried shot at goal. Solid save from Paulo Martins.
77.19
George Boateng barges into Nicholas Froggatt. The referee calls over George Boateng and shows him a yellow card! Nicholas Froggatt stretches but gets up unharmed.
78.36
Nicholas Froggatt flicks a high pass forward. Niccolo Swift holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Niccolo Swift makes a great pass forward. Ledley Ince runs clear and latches on but the linesman indicates offside!
83.34
Ledley Ince chips the ball to his team mate, Nicholas Froggatt. Nicholas Froggatt edges inside the box! Eddie Stuart catches Nicholas Froggatt on the ankles. Nicholas Froggatt appeals for a penalty! The referee hasn't seen anything wrong!!
85.52
Stephen Campbell catches Nicholas Gascoigne on the ankles. The referee warns Stephen Campbell again to calm down! Nicholas Gascoigne hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
87.01
Maryn Pedemas receives the ball from a throw-in from Nicholas Froggatt. Maryn Pedemas flicks a high pass forward. Ledley Ince controls it well on his chest. Ledley Ince shoots from outside the area. The keeper is more than a match for it. Excellent keeping!
90.00
Nicholas Gascoigne knocks the ball forward to Maryn Pedemas. Maryn Pedemas kicks a strong pass forward to Lee Brown. Lee Brown cuts inside the box! Lee Brown tries a spectacular strike. The ball clips the outside of the post and goes out!
90.00
The referee blows the final whistle

Match Statistics
Goals
2
4
Shots on Target
5
6
Shots off Target
3
1
Offsides
2
2
Fouls
0
4
Yellow Cards
0
2
Red Cards
0
0

Possession
57.1%
42.9%
Play Area
28.6%
45.5%
26%


Man of the Match
The man of the match was awarded to Nwankwo Bramble of Sheffield United

Match Ratings
1.Paulo Martins (GK)
6
2.Nicholas Gascoigne (DEF)
7
3.Oleg Power (DEF)
6
4.Eddie Gordon (DEF)
6
5.Paul Scales (MID)
6
6.Maryn Pedemas (MID)goal scored
7
7.Nicholas Froggatt (MID)
6
8.Lee Brown (MID)
6
9.Niccolo Swift (ATT)
6
10.Thierry Byrne (ATT)goal scored
8
11.Ledley Ince (ATT)
6
 
12.Carl Coppinger (GK)
0
13.Jeroen Dijkhuizen (MID)
0
14.Scott Liddell (ATT)
0

1.Paul Burbage (GK)
6
2.Eddie Stuart (DEF)
6
3.Brian Grant (DEF)
6
4.Leon Rösler (DEF)
6
5.Neil Dalglish (DEF)
6
6.Mervin Makin (MID)
8
7.George Boateng (MID)goal scoredyellow card
7
8.Ivan Potts (MID)yellow card
5
9.Stephen Campbell (ATT)goal scored
7
10.Tim Best (ATT)
7
11.Nwankwo Bramble (ATT)goal scoredgoal scored
9
 
12.Gavin Mercer (DEF)
0
13.Ian Weir (MID)
0
14.Scott Henderson (ATT)
0