The 2009/10 season review continues and moves into December. You can watch the goals against Palace to the right for free, or subscribers can see every goal from December in DVD quality on BladesPlayer.TV
December 2009
December kicked off in the cold, wet and dank surroundings of Plymouth - a venue where a week earlier Barnsley's game had been abandoned because of heavy rain.
The conditions were a factor in a difficult game but it was the travelling fans who were celebrating at the death. James Harper was credited with the late goal although debutant loanee Toni Kallio may have added a vital deflection to beat the Argyle rearguard in a crowded penalty area.
Three days after the tiring trip United held an in-form Nottingham Forest, who were indebted to goalkeeper, Lee Camp for making a string of impressive saves.
The return of Neil Warnock with his Crystal Palace team raised interest and a goal in each half from Stephen Quinn and Lee Williamson secured a victory for Blackwell against his old boss.
United's final match before Christmas was in freezing conditions at QPR although a goal for each side in the first ten minutes did warm the cockles somewhat. A thunderbolt from former Blade Mikele Leigertwood gave the home side the lead but United were soon level, with Richard Cresswell benefiting from good work by Kallio, to stretch an unbeaten run to seven games.
At Leicester on Boxing Day, United had the chance to climb back into the top six but an impressive second half showing fell short of clawing back a 2-0 first half deficit, although Henri Camara was on target soon after making an appearance as a half-time substitute.
United did, however, end 2009 with a victory. Geary completed his first 90 minutes in almost 18 months but it was another of the club's diminutive brigade, Jamie Ward, who decided the fixture against Preston when his 35-yard curling free-kick evaded both attackers and defenders to sneak in at the far post.
At the turn of the year United occupied seventh position - just two points away from a coveted top six position.
