Sheffield United finally broke their home 'derby' jinx as they saw off local rivals Barnsley in a dramatic game at Bramall Lane that was punctuated by three late goals and a missed penalty. Much of the build up to the game had been centered on the Chris Morgan-Iain Hume incident at Oakwell but for United it was more about building on recent performances and result and ensuring they stayed right in the fight for automatic promotion. The first half was a scrappy affair with few chances but United were very much in the ascendancy for most of the second half and gradually wore their opponents down.

Finally less than ten minutes from time, the Blades broke the deadlock with a headed effort from Jon Joe O'Toole and not long after they extended the lead with a cool finish from substitute Arturo Lupoli. However, Barnsley did not give in and were given a golden chance to come back from the penalty spot after an unnecessary Greg Halford handball but Jamal Campbell Ryce missed his second successive penalty in four days as Paddy Kenny made a superb stop. Undeterred, Barnsley continued to fight back and moments later their own substitute Bogdanovic headed home unopposed to set up a tense final few minutes of stoppage time but United held out to gain yet another victory.

The game had began with United making two changes with Leigh Bromby coming in for the injured Matthew Killgallon and Jon Joe O'Toole replacing Stephen Quinn. Barnsley started with Jon Macken and Michael Mifsud up front and also had ex Blade Rob Kozluk in their starting line up.

The opening stages were scrappy with few openings. Cotterill caused problems down the left but his crosses were headed to safety before Campbell Ryce blazed high and wide for the visitors. O'Toole was only just off target and then Halford headed over for the Blades. Neither keeper had been seriously tested and this continued as Hassell fired a free kick well over and then Ward also shot over the bar after a flick on by Henderson.

Andranik finally tested Kenny but the shot was straight at the United keeper before United had the final two openings with Henderson's shot forcing Muller into action and then Ward's flick header being spectacularly tipped away after Halford's long throw had found the diminutive striker.

The half limped meekly to an end but the second half saw more action at both ends of the field with Mifsud's long range effort forcing Kenny to ground to field the ball and then Campbell Ryce cleared with a combination of hand and chest with the Kop baying for a penalty. Anderson was booked after he had wrestled Halford to the ground and appeared to lash out at him as the Blades player was grounded but Hegley only brandished a yellow card. The same punishment away handed out to Campbell Ryce for his cynical chop down of Montgomery who had been in full flight. Halford headed over from the free kick and Untied now began to force Barnsley back.

Ward's effort went just wide after Henderson had won the flicked header and then Morgan had a low shot from the edge of the box that worried Muller enough to tip the ball around the post. For the most part United were now camped in the Barnsley half who were very much playing on the break but the Blades knew that time was ticking by and thus made changes.

Lupoli came on for Cotterill and immediately went straight up front with Ward switching to the left hand side. Kenny fielded headers from Macken and Mifsud, just before the latter was replaced by Hammill. Ward then had a mazy run and shot that was beaten away by Muller as the crowd urged the home side on.

As the game entered the final ten minutes United knew they had to press home their territorial advantage and they finally got the goal their pressure merited. It came from a long throw from Bromby from the left hand side that was flicked on by Morgan. O'TOOLE thrust himself forward to win the header and despite Muller saving the first effort, the midfielder reacted quickest and was able to prod the ball over the line despite Kozluk's vain attempt to clear. The ball was clearly over the line and the fact that no Barnsley defenders complained told a story as the linesman sprinted back to halfway clearly signalling the goal.

Halford took a touch and played a clever ball into the box and LUPOLI coolly side footed the ball first time with his right foot which went in off the post and gave keeper Muller no chance. It seemed this goal would see off the Tykes and confirm yet another United victory but they reckoned without an incident packed finale.

A long free kick went right into the heart of United territory and Henderson challenged but used his hand as he sought to fend off Moore. The spot kick was the correct decision and seemingly gave Barnsley a route back into the game. Undeterred by his miss on Saturday, Campbell Ryce took the kick but despite striking the ball with force, Kenny guessed right and made a good save down to his right hand side. Most of the United team seemed to greet Kenny with an embrace but United had not heeded the warning and had lost their shape as the ball was switched from left to right and Macken sent over a dangerous cross. Substitute BOGDANOVIC was left completely unmarked as United's concentration went completely and he nodded home unopposed.

The Blades now knew they had a difficult period of the game to overcome as referee Hegley signalled an additional 4 minutes of stoppage time to be played as Ward was replaced by Beattie. A confrontation between the two coaching staffs followed with Davy and Blackwell seemingly squaring up to each other with the history of the earlier game in the season perhaps coming back to the fore. Police and stewards moved in and the game was back underway after the altercation with United almost scoring another; with Henderson flicking on but Beattie's lop just too high. The final moments saw Morgan head the ball away twice before the final whistle confirmed yet another three points for the Blades and it was the skipper who was the last man off the field; but not before he had ran to the Kop with clenched fists to the air to signal his own personal delight at the victory!

United

It was not as convincing as recent game and the football played tonight was far from fluent. Of course it was never going to be exciting, attacking football in a local derby and it proved as it became a scrappy midfield battle for the most part. As the game went on I felt United got stronger and stronger and pinned Barnsley further back. We began to create more chances and it was not a massive surprise when the breakthrough finally came. I do not think we played as much football as in recent games and performers like Halford and Cotterill who have been key to recent successes were relatively quiet. There were not one particular attacking or midfield player that really stood out and it was a workmanlike performance in reality.

However, we defended fairly well until the closing stages when we panicked a bit. We did enough to win the game for taking the game to Barnsley and felt that the deeper they got and the more they defended it was inevitable we may score and of course we did in the end.

Praise for Blackwell not only for putting Lupoli on but for switching Ward to the left as most of our attacks and chances came down this side. It may have been a gamble but it was one that paid dividends as Ward's run and shot indirectly led to the first and then of course Lupoli scored the second. The second goal was well taken but this seemed to initiate a panic from United that led to a daft penalty give away and then an equally sloppy goal. It should have been an easy finish but became uncomfortable. Still it was more about the result than the performance and it is another three points.

Friday will be an all together different task. I would gladly take a point but of course three points would be huge. What today means is even if we lose it is not a total disaster. I said I would take 6-7 points from the three games this week and they have got 6 already so anything we get Friday is a bonus. If we are really serious about automatic then I suppose we have to really win the game. This will be a tough ask as I still believe on their day Reading are the best side in the division but they have not exactly been flying so we must be confident, defend properly and take chances that come. Who knows what will happen if we do that. We must surely end our hoodoo against Reading at some point?

Kenny 7.5/10
At times he was hesitant still and his distribution was very mixed for the most part with misplaced kicks and throws that were interchanged with some really good quick throw outs and kicks too! However his general handling was excellent and he saved most shots that came at him and then of course saved the penalty that proved to be vital in the context of the game.

Naysmith 7.5/10
Consistent as always. Did the basics and made tackles/interceptions. Despite lack of pace he never seems to get completely skinned due to positional sense and intelligence. Also used the ball well when turning defence into attack and put in some good cross field balls.

Naughton 7/10
He was ok without being sparkling. I still do not feel he has hit the standards of earlier in the season but he still shows instances of quality both defensively, shown by the slide tackle to break up play and a few swashbuckling runs forward. He needs to go back to basics at time as he tries to do too much and often seems to think he has more time than he actually had but that is perhaps being ultra critical

Bromby 7/10
I am not his biggest fan and at times he showed his indecisiveness and lack of physical aggression once again but he actually got better as the game went on and was first to the ball for much of the second half as United completely seized the initiative. I would not feel comfortable with him as a the regular centre back but as a cover player I suppose at this level he is about as good as you are going to get even with the lack of pace and physique which does make him vulnerable at times. He did do most of the basics well and gave a good account of himself. He is a far better centre back than full back.

Morgan 7.5/10
Carried on his consistent standards he has set since the 'incident' at Oakwell earlier in the season. Won all the headers and made numerous interceptions and clearances. Nearly capped his performance with a goal as Muller just turned his shot round the post. Kept his composure all game and just got on with his job. His face at the end as he came towards the Kop was a picture as all the emotions finally poured out.

Halford 6.5/10
Not his best game tonight but he still showed some decent touches and ability to pass the football but drifted in and out of the game tonight and was not as effectual in the attacking third. However, he did centre the ball for the second goal.

Montgomery 7/10
Carried on consistent standards of recent weeks without being spectacular. Broke up play and made tackles/blocks but his distribution was not quite as good as it has been in recent weeks and he did have a few wayward balls/touches tonight. However, the fact he routinely wins 50/50's or even 40/60's is vital to us recycling the ball back into our possession.

O'Toole 7/10
He has a somewhat languid style and never seems at breakneck speed but uses the ball well when in possession and does seem to keep the ball most of the time despite not always seeming in complete control. Vital headed goal that broke the deadlock.

Henderson 7/10
Had a real battle with Moore all game. He was held, grabbed, shoved and pushed to the floor but stuck to his game and continued to win his fair share of headers, flick ons and hold up play to assist in the attacks in the second half. Daft handball that led to the penalty award.

Ward 7.5/10
As busy and industrious as Saturday and never stopped, whether playing right up the top or wide left as he did when Cotterill was replaced by Lupoli. Had some of our better efforts with a flicked header and a run and shot; both saved by Muller. Looks a real gem and a top prospect.

Cotterill 6/10
Not one of his better game and whilst he had few direct runs, he did not get many crosses in and was not quite the threat he has been in recent game and was recently taken off.

Subs

Lupoli
Seemed an odd choice for a change but looked really lively and showed good feet and control in general play and then of course converted a lovely cushioned side foot finish that effectively sealed the game.

Beattie
Came on for the final few moments and almost scored with a lobbed effort that landed on top of the goal rather than in it.

Barnsley

We have seen much better sides but we have seen worse sides. I do not think they were that adventurous and at times they seemed happy with the draw as they defended very deep, particularly in the second half. They had one or two long range efforts but never really forced Kenny or United's defence into a great deal of work until we got the goals and then they suddenly poured men forward and of course got a penalty, then a goal and actually made a fight of it. I wondered if they had been more adventurous from the start what may have happened. At the back Moore and Foster did quite well against Henderson and Ward and it was a bit of a deadlock. Kozluk was as erratic as I always remembered with some decent stuff and then some awful balls.

I felt that in the centre of midfield Colace and Anderson showed some decent passing at times but in the second half they started to lose the battle as we gradually got on top. Andranik showed a good range of passing but he too showed theatrics when challenged that was a little embarrassing. I thought Campbell Ryce was played quite well by Naughton and Naysmith despite him coming inside quite a lot. He is clearly one of Barnsley's better players and can cause problems. However, I do not think he will be on penalties anymore! Macken and Mifsud were fairly lively up front but Mifsud's playacting was pathetic at times and he should have been booked for blatant simulation on more than one occasion. I think Barnsley will do enough to stay up and should be fine.

I have been disappointed by Simon Davy ever since the game earlier in the season and he has been very Warnock like in his continual moaning and groaning with particular reference to the Hume affair. I did find it amusing how he criticised Billy Davies after the Forest manager had said he needed 'Chris Morgan types' and accused him of inciting trouble when that is all Davy has done since the game last at Oakwell earlier in the season. He has mentioned the Hume incident every chance he has got and it has become an obsession and quite pathetic really. I think his behaviour at the end of the game today where he just seemingly instigated a melee summed up his unprofessionalism. It seemed as if he just wanted to cause some trouble as the game had bypassed with little incident and Morgan had just got on with the game with fortunately no daft retribution by Barnsley players either. It was a sign of how Davy had acted when two players, Moore and Kozluk went to him as the fracas took place and almost seemed to have to calm him down!

Referee
Grant Hegley. I will say it again but another odd refeering performance. Too stop-start with fussy decisions throughout where he did not let the game flow. I felt he wanted to be the centre of attention too much and this was evidenced by his total ignorance of his assistants who may aswell have been sat in the stands with me as they were largely ignored or not consulted with! He did not favour either side really and both teams could have gripes with some of his decisions where he gave some strange free kicks both ways.