Sheffield United managed to bounce back from a disappointing draw at home to Blackpool in midweek to see off Nigel Clough's Derby County in a high scoring contest at Bramall Lane. In a topsy turvy game, the Blades took an early lead, then doubled it but were made to work hard not once, but twice as the Rams bounced back. However, United were able to finally seal the game with a late goal by substitute Craig Beattie to cement their position in the playoffs position.

United made changes from the Blackpool game with many of them enforced with Nick Montgomery out through illness, Danny Webber through injury and Greg Halford only on the bench after suffering with tonsillitis in the week. In came Jamie Ward, John Jon O'Toole and Leigh Bromby coming in. United started with Kyle Naughton wide right and David Cotterill on the left hand side.

Derby started with former United man Rob Hulse and also included experienced performers Robbie Savage, Andy Todd and new signing John Eustace.

Derby started the game on the attack and forced an early corner but after they had enjoyed the better of the opening moments, United quickly found a foothold in the game and with the first opening of the game they were ahead. Debutant O'Toole won the ball and switched play to Cotterill who drove infield before eventually finding NAUGHTON with a cross field pass. The youngster came onto the ball and with his left foot expertly placed a curled effort beyond the reach of Bywater to give the Blades the perfect start. United will have been hoping to build on the early lead better than they had on Tuesday evening and sought to take the game to Derby further. Eustace was booked for a crude challenge on Quinn but County had two half chances with Barazite's cross looping onto the top of Kenny's goal and Hulse seeing his effort also go off target.

United were looking the more incisive in the last third and O'Toole was prominent once again as he nearly supplied a clever through ball. The second goal was not long coming though and the architect was once again Cotterill. The winger jinked his way down the touchline and despite being surrounded by at least two defenders, he found half a yard to put in an excellent deep cross with his left foot. HENDERSON met it with a powerful downward header that bounced down and beat Bywater . With many of the Blades team congratulating the provider, Derby looked a dishevelled bunch with their weak defence again being breached too easily.

Henderson and Ward were linking well with the latter always looking for the ball and trying to create openings. He was brought down on the edge of the box but Cotterill slipped when taking the kick. Derby finally made Paddy Kenny make a save with Hulse's low shot on the turn but it lacked power and conviction. United survived the remainder of the half without any real problems.

Derby opted to change things handing a debut to loan signing from Aston Villa Barry Bannan in place of John Eustace. County certainly came out with a new determination after the break with Davies firing over. United had a chance when Ward's cross was header over by Henderson but Derby were back in the game not long after.

Kilgallon made an interception but went to ground seemingly injured. As he eventually got to his feet the play was coming back at United with Cotterill unable to stop the ball going forward initially. The ball was switched to the left and Bannan hit a fierce drive that beat Kenny but was cleared off the line by Naysmith. However, the ball fell to HULSE and from only yards out he smashed the ball home via the underside of the bar. It seemed inevitable the ex United man would come back to haunt the Blades once again but the United coaching team will be disappointed with the sloppy defending that got county back into the game.

Todd clattered Cotterill and was eventually booked when the ball finally went dead but Derby were now a different force with Teale prominent in most good things the visitors did. Hulse fired over after another Teale instigated move but as United fans started to sweat, they were given some breathing space once again. Ward once again led a break and found Quinn wide left who put over a cross which HENDERSON controlled with his back to goal and after using his strength to hold off Albrechtsen then turned and drilled the ball past Bywater.

Hulse was booked for kicking the ball away soon after which was strange considering Derby were the ones chasing the game but it was not long later before they had reduced the arrears again. Davies went past Bromby and sent over a dangerous cross and the impressive substitute BANNAN hammered home.

Derby sensed they could get back into the game and were enjoying plenty of opportunities down United's right hand side. Kevin Blackwell opted to change things replacing Bromby with Halford and putting Naughton back to right back to try to stem the flow of chances. Still, despite Derby's improvements United were looking very dangerous themselves and Halford had a good run and low shot just wide. United created another opening through a clever ball from O'Toole that put Henderson through on goal as he breasted the ball down cleverly but Bywater made a good save with his legs. It was end to end stuff with Kenny saving from a Hulse header and the game was delicately poised.

Cotterill was replaced by Beattie and Villa came on for Barazite as both teams sought the next crucial goal. Villa's first contribution was a pathetic dive that should have seen him enter the referee's book. The game then entered four minutes of additional time just before Beattie screwed wide but Derby were looking very dangerous with long throws catapulted in by Connolly adding to the tension as United massed ranks of defence looked to hold on. A good chance fell to Hulse from one such scramble but he blazed over to sighs of relief all around the ground. As the game entered the final seconds of stoppage time, Halford flicked the ball over the full back and sent over a cross that evaded two Derby defenders. The ball fell perfectly into the path of substitute BEATTIE who drilled the ball across the keeper and into the far corner to send Bramall Lane into raptures as the victory was confirmed. The final whistle went only moments after the game was restarted.

United

It was much better than in the week and going forward we looked like scoring all afternoon. There was some good football played, clever link play by the forwards and some improved passing from the midfield area. In terms of individuals, Cotterill was a constant menace to the Derby defence, O'Toole had a decent start and Henderson was a real goal threat. Ward was a real livewire and it finally looked like we had a forward partnership that got close enough to each other to link up and create things. Going forward all game we did really well and although helped by some poor defending it was refreshing to see us constantly create chances and try and get the ball wide or to feet to create such openings. Quinn was much improved and maybe it is just a case of him or Montgomery in the centre of midfield as together they do not really work.

Unfortunately I felt we were poor at the back, especially in the second half and that Morgan and Kilgallon let Hulse and Davis win a lot of ball both from balls back to front and from crosses from the wide area. Bromby had a nightmare second half. The only consistent defender was Naysmith who was my man of the match. Still, the defence have been very good all season so two bad games cannot be criticised too much and hey it was an exciting end to end second half which was a good game to watch. Maybe the game was too open though and you felt either side could score from any attack; at any time. Still, four goals and three points we will take at this stage of the season which was much needed with trips to Cardiff, Reading and Burnley to come in the next few weeks.

Kenny 6.5/10
Made a few routine saves and made a vital punch when it was 3-2 but overall I felt it was another hesitant game again where he was often slow to come out and deal with situations. His kicking was poor again for the most part but he did make one or two good throws outs to kick start attacks. Also, I have bemoaned his unprofessionalism before but the fact that he fails to actually have a cap on days like today to assist him and shade his eyes from the suns is quite unbelievable. He spent most of the first half shading his eyes with his hands and this definitely contributed to some of the hesitancy in coming out I felt as he actually could not see how close the ball was or when it was coming down out of the sky.

Bromby 5/10
He was steady enough in the first half but in the second he was led a merry dance by Teale who completely run him ragged. Teale beat him all ends up on numerous occasions but Bromby gave him far too much space often being 10 yards off his man. Both goals came from his side and the second in particular came as a result of particularly bad defending from Bromby who let Davies on this occasion beat him easily and then square for the goal. No surprise he was put in a more advance goal to hide him and then was taken off. Not a right back at all and should be used as a cover centre back and that is all.

Naysmith 8/10
Had a really good game. Up against a tough winger in Barazite who can cause problems with skills and physique, he defended supremely all game and completely won the individual battle. Won tackles, made some key interceptions and also supported well when we attacked and out some good crosses in. Been very consistent all season and even when our defence's standards have slipped like this week, he remains sound.

Kilgallon 6/10
After a poor game in midweek, he again was not exactly rock solid today and seemed to let the ball bounce too much or let his man control it and bring others into play. Just seems a bit hesitant at times. Still on the positive side he did bring the ball out of defence quite a bit when he could and made one or two intelligent balls. It was worrying that Derby looked like they may score on numerous attacks in the second half and I did feel we very vulnerable from crosses and chances came quite frequently.

Morgan 5.5/10
Thought he was also very erratic today. Yes, he won his fair share of headers and clearances but felt he let his opponent hold the ball up and dictate things to him too much. He also made one or two really bad and basic mistakes that could have led to goals. Him and Kilgallon will be disappointed that they have conceded 4 goals at home in the last two games and their standards have definitely dropped in recent games.

Naughton 7/10
Scored a lovely goal which showed his excellent technique, especially as it was with his so called weaker foot. He did ok in a wide right position and helped us move the ball on and play some nice football in the first half. In the second half he was not quite as influential but this was mainly due to having to drop deep to cover for Bromby who was really struggling with Teale. Eventually ended up at right back but he did not fare that much better than Bromby really and Teale got past him too which was surprising considering Naughton's pace.

O'Toole 7.5/10
Promising debut. Taller in physique than I thought and he likes to put his foot in too. He looks a clever footballer who always tried to find a shirt rather than go long. He made a few clever defence splitting balls and also was able to go through the centre when passing the ball and this worked a few times rather than always go diagonal or wide.

Quinn 7.5/10
Thought he was much better today than in recent times. He actually did most things much better today after some recent horror shows. It seemed like with Montgomery not playing he was better. Maybe O'Toole helped him to have more time on the ball as the loanee is undoubtedly better than Montgomery at keeping the football. He still had the annoying tendency to flick the ball on and his passing was up and down but overall he did use the ball better today and played a more intelligent game. Made the third goal with a good run and cross.

Henderson 8/10
It was a strange game as he seemed to spend most of the game grappling with the centre back along with winning some headers and losing some headers but generally got absolutely no protection from the referee. However, in between all this he linked well with Ward, showed some nice touches and chest control and scored two well taken goals. The first was a classic downward header and the second a smart turn and finish. He easily could have had a hat trick and missed a good chance after showing lovely control initially.

Ward 8/10
Continued on from his form the other night and was bright, enthusiastic and a threat all game I felt. He never stopped running, does not shirk challenges or aerial action despite his size and has a pretty good touch too. Always looks to be direct and make things happen. He may be a raw but does look a good prospect but United fans cannot expect him to be like he has been this week every game and he will have some good games and some bad games as all youngsters do.ss

Cotterill 8/10
Thought he was electric in the first half and most of our best moves came through him. He was direct, tricky and put in several dangerous crosses. He made the first goal with a run and ball to Naughton and then the second with a run and superb cross with his left foot. The full back simply could not handle Cotterill and often they had to double up on him. Unfortunately, in the second half he was not quite as prominent and indeed he gave the ball away in the build up to the first Derby goal. He let his man get forward to support the Derby attacks and did not contribute that much going forward as Derby suddenly became a force in the game. It was no surprise when he was taken off in the end but his contribution in the first half should not be forgotten.

Subs

Halford
Very effective when he came on and showed he is actually quicker than I thought with a few lung bursting runs including one that saw a shot go just wide. Not bad to say he has supposedly been quite ill all week! He then showed lovely skill to flick the ball over the full back and centre for Beattie to score. He is a player that has been very impressive this season and I hope we manage to turn his loan into a permanent even if questions remain over his best position.

Beattie
Once again played wide left when he came on for the tiring Cotterill. Had a couple of direct runs at goal, including one shot that went just wide of the near post and then of course was well positioned to clinically finish the game at the end.

Howard
Came on for Ward as United were seeing out time right at the death.

Derby

At the back they were appalling with both Todd and Nyatanga clumsy and error prone. The two full backs Connolly and Albrechtsen were also very poor and gave our wide players way too much time and space. I did not think Bywater looked particularly convincing either but he did make some good saves. They looked like shipping goals all game and we could have had a lot more than 4. Their main tactic of just grabbing and holding Henderson was a bit pathetic and both centre backs must have committed at least a dozen fouls but many of them went unpunished.

In midfield, Savage was not in the game in the first half much but started to get on the ball more and was a big influence in the second half. Teale was the difference though and whilst Cotterill was the stand out attacking player in the first half; Teale did likewise for them in the second half. He put in numerous excellent balls and this lead to their comeback I felt. Barazite was poor in contrast and was eventually taken off. He is a player that has looked good when I have seen him previously but Naysmith played him expertly. Eustace is a Championship clogger of the highest order and seems an odd signing. His replacement Bannan was very good making one and scoring one and like many of the other young players Aston Villa have looks a real prospect.

Up front Davies was a handful with his running and pace but Hulse was the main threat. He was a nuisance all game, showing his prowess in the air and also looking a threat to score a lot of the game. I was sad to see him go but think it was still probably the right decision at the time with him having just a year left on his contract and not looking anything remotely like the player he had been before his injury. It is easy to look back in retrospect and look at the goals he has scored this season but most people agreed it was the right thing to do at the time. Henderson is actually doing ok but I do not want to compare too much as they are different players. Hulse did very well for us before he was injured and Henderson despite the suspensions and injuries he has had, has done well too and has had a promising first season I feel and will be a big player in the run in.

Referee

Just like the week we had another poor referee. This time Iain Williamson thought we had just come to watch him as he constantly stopped the game, did not play on when he could have done (for both teams) and then had an annoying habit of always wanting to have a word with players (often for very little) and thus stopping the game further. More cynical stuff like shirt pulling and holding; on Henderson in particular was ignored. He got most of the bookings right in fairness to him but he should have booked Villa for a ludicrous dive near the end. Just a fussy performance when with all the chances and goals we should not be even know the referee is there as there were barely any real bad challenges all game.