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Sheffield United logo
FA Cup | Quarter-Finals
Mar 9, 2014 at 12pm UK
 
Charlton Athletic

2-0

Flynn (65'), Brayford (67')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Live Commentary: Sheffield United 2-0 Charlton Athletic - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report of Sheffield United's 2-0 win over Charlton in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
2

Sheffield United booked their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup on Sunday thanks to a 2-0 win at home to Charlton Athletic.

The hosts took the lead on 65 minutes when Ryan Flynn popped up at the back post to convert Jose Baxter's cross.

United then sealed the victory moments later as John Brayford's shot took a big deflection before finding the back of the net.

Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how all of the action unfolded at Bramall Lane.


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Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this afternoon's FA Cup quarter-final as Sheffield United welcome Charlton Athletic to Bramall Lane. We should have some team news through for you in the next few minutes...

What a day for football! The sun is out, there's a warmth in the air, and we've got two teams who are just one win away from a trip to Wembley Stadium in the semi-finals of the Cup.



CHARLTON: Hamer; Wilson, Wiggins, Morrison, Wood; Cousins, Poyet, Jackson, Harriott; Tudgay, Church

CHARLTON SUBS: Thuram-Ulien, Hughes, Dervite, Green, Ghoochannejhad, Nego, Ajdarevic

Charlton boss Chris Powell makes just one change following last weekend's 3-0 defeat at Leicester City in the Championship. Astrit Ajdarevic drops to the bench for the Addicks as Simon Church is given the nod up front.

We're still just waiting on the Sheff Utd team news. Nigel Clough is keeping us guessing...

You could argue that these two sides are keeping the spirit of the FA Cup alive due to their lower ranking in English football. United are currently in 11th place in the League One table while Charlton are bottom of the Championship.



SHEFF UTD: Howard; Harris, Brayford, Maguire, Flynn; Doyle, Baxter, Collins, Coady, Scougall; Murphy

SHEFF UTD SUBS: Hill, Porter, Miller, McGinn, Davies, Long, Freeman

United manager Nigel Clough has made a whopping seven changes to his starting XI following Tuesday's 2-0 win over Peterborough United in League One. John Brayford returns for the Blades, while Ryan Flynn and Stefan Scougall are are among those recalled.

Looking at how these teams reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, it's United who have had the more eye-catching route to the last eight. They've beaten Aston Villa, Fulham and Nottingham Forest to get here. That's quite an achievement from the third-tier club. Do they have another victory against higher-ranked opposition in them this afternoon?

Charlton's passage to the quarter-finals hasn't been quite as notable as United's having beaten Oxford United, Huddersfield Town and Sheffield Wednesday to get here. Still, they've gone further than some of the biggest names in English football.



RECENT FORM:

UNITED: WWWWWW
CHARLTON: LLLWLL


While Charlton have struggled all season for form, United are flying at the minute. The Blades have won their last eight matches in all competitions, a vein of form that is sure to give them plenty of confidence this afternoon.

As for FA Cup pedigree, it's United again who come out on top. They've won the competition four times, though they last lifted the famous trophy way back in 1925. In contrast, Charlton's only ever success in the tournament was in 1947.

HEAD TO HEAD: United narrowly pip Charlton when it comes to previous meetings between the sides. The Blades have 25 wins to their name compared to the Addicks' 21. There have also been 15 draws. It's been nice even in their past six meetings though with three victories apiece.



The players are just about to emerge from the tunnel and out into the sunshine at Bramall Lane. Not long to go now until this one gets underway...

KICKOFF! The teams are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done, and it will be Sheffield United to get us underway. Here we go!

It's been a very lively start to this match from both teams. The early stages have seen plenty of attacking football, though it's Charlton who have looked a bit more dangerous going forward so far. There's a great atmosphere inside Bramall Lane.

Charlton are just starting to take a bit of control in this match as they look to keep the ball and probe around the United defence. Their midfield in particular is doing well to compete fiercely in the centre of the pitch. Meanwhile, United are having to counter-attack and bide their time.

Something of a half-chance for the hosts as Collins gets his head to a corner, but he can only guide his effort high over the crossbar.

United create a decent opening for themselves as Maguire does well down the left to take on his man and put in a cross down the left side. Murphy is in the box, but the Charlton defence is able to hack the danger away before the whistle goes. The home side are beginning to show a bit of confidence.

United are really cranking up the pressure now. Flynn causes Charlton a few problems down the right side, though his two crosses are cut out by the visitors. The hosts have used the width of the pitch really well so far. The youngster then goes in the book for a cynical tug on Harriott.

CHANCE! Close for Charlton as Jackson's corner causes all sorts of problems inside the United penalty area. However, the visitors can't get the necessary touch to turn the ball home. Charlton have struggled to really threaten the hosts this afternoon, though that was a decent opportunity.

Both teams are giving very little away right now. It's a real battle for possession, particularly in midfield. Charlton create themselves an opening as some patient build-up play sees Church receive the ball on the edge of the box, but his tame effort is easily saved by Howard.

Chances have been few and far between so far, although that hasn't affected this game too much. It remains a competitive contest, with plenty of energy and enthusiasm across the pitch. As it stands, United are probably just shading the tie.

It would be fair to say that Nigel Clough will be the happier of the two managers right now. His players have certainly shown more ambition going forward, trying to make things happen. Meanwhile, Charlton are finding it difficult to get into a good rhythm.

CHANCE! Nearly the opening goal for Charlton as Tudgay's low drive from the edge of the box is kept out by Howard. The United goalkeeper fails to clear the danger, but the hosts eventually see the ball go out of play. That was a decent save from the shotstopper.

That previous chance for Tudgay seems to have sparked this game into a bit of life. United had been on top until then, but the visitors are now starting to look a bit more dangerous going forward. We're still waiting the first goal of the afternoon as we approach the final 10 minutes of the half.

A break in play here as Church receives treatment for an ankle knock. The forward stays down for a while, though it looks like he will be okay to continue. He's probably been Charlton's brightest player so far.

YELLOW CARD! Charlton captain Jackson rightly goes into the book for a reckless lunge on Flynn. That was an ugly challenge from the skipper. No complaints from either side there.

DISALLOWED GOAL! United have the ball in the back of the net thanks to a smart finish from Coady, but it won't count as the midfielder is correctly flagged for offside.

Just a handful of minutes remaining in this first half and there's still very little separating these teams. It's fair to say that United have been better so far, though they've failed to make their superiority count. Charlton have shown flashes of menace but not enough to consistently threaten.

We'll have three added minutes at the end of this first half...

CHANCE! Close for United as Harris shoots over the crossbar from the edge of the box. The defender decided to hit his effort first time after receiving the ball from the left side, but he was unable to keep it down.

HALF TIME: SHEFF UTD 0-0 CHARLTON

Referee Lee Mason blows the half-time whistle to bring an end to a goalless opening 45 minutes between Sheffield United and Charlton. In truth there hasn't been too much action in front of goal so far, but both teams are fighting hard out there with a semi-final place at stake.

There can be no doubting that United have been the better side so far. The hosts have looked that little bit hungrier in attack and have shown plenty of determination at the back. However, they have been unable to make their dominance count.

As for Charlton, the visitors have had to do a fair bit of defending so far. They've been limited to the occasional counter-attack with Church leading the line well, but he's not had much in the way of support up top.

There have been a few tasty challenges flying in as well. One that stood out in particular during that first half was Jackson's wild lunge on Flynn. The Charlton captain was given a yellow card for the tackle, though other referees may have dished out sterner punishment.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The players are back out and it will be Charlton to get us back underway. No changes for either side at the break.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The players are back out and it will be Charlton to get us back underway. No changes for either side at the break.

WHOOSH! The first chance of the second half falls the way of United, but Scougall's effort from 20 yards sails high over the crossbar. It's been an even opening few minutes since the players emerged from the tunnel.

CHANCE! This is a good spell from the home side as they come within inches of taking the lead. The ball falls to Maguire inside a crowded penalty area, but he can only smash the ball narrowly wide of the post.

United have just taken their foot off the gas in the last few minutes, which has allowed Charlton to get a grip on the match. It's still tightly-contested and you would imagine that the teams will get even cagier as we go on knowing that a trip to Wembley Stadium hangs in the balance. Here's hoping for a goal to open everything up.



MISS! How are Charlton not in front?! Harriott has just squandered the best chance of the match. A quick free kick found Tudgay who floated a cross deep into the United box. Harriott was there bang in the middle of the goal, but he somehow hacked his effort wide of the post. Oh dear.

Will Charlton live to regret that miss from Harriott? The Addicks have been poor in attack this afternoon and you wonder if they are going to create too many other opportunities. Or will that miss spur them into life? They seem to be knocking the ball around with a bit more intent now.

SUBSTITUTION: Charlton make the first change of the day as Ajdarevic enters the action in place of Church. Tudgay will move further forward for the Addicks.

GOAL! SHEFF UTD 1-0 CHARLTON (FLYNN)

We have a goal! Sheffield United take the lead thanks to a smart finish from Flynn. Baxter whipped in a superb cross from the left side that looked to have evaded everyone, but there was the winger at the back post to leap up and prod the ball in on the bounce.

GOAL! SHEFF UTD 2-0 CHARLTON (BRAYFORD)

Incredible scenes at Bramall Lane as the home side doubles its advantage thanks to Brayford! The defender, who was teed up by Baxter, saw his shot take a big a deflection on its way through, but the Blades won't mind one bit.

SUBSTITUTION: Charlton make a double change now as Green and Ghoochannejhad replace Wilson and Poyet. Meanwhile, Harriott sees his name go into the book for a clumsy challenge.

United are posing a constant threat towards the Charlton defence following those two goals in quick succession. Needless to say that the home fans are also rocking in the stands. If the visitors want anything from this game they're going to have to throw everything at United. At the moment it doesn't look like that's going to happen.

Chris Powell has a face like thunder down on the touchline. His players really haven't performed for him today. They've been second best in pretty much every area. The only positive he can probably take from this is that all of the squad's focus can now turn to staying in the Championship.

YELLOW CARD! United midfielder Baxter goes into the book after leaving Green in a heap. That was robust challenge from the feisty scouser.

That will be Baxter's last involvement as he is replaced by Davies. Baxter gets a standing ovation from the United fans as he leaves the pitch and rightly so. He's been superb today with his passing, movement and vision.

If this match is going to see another goal before the final whistle you wouldn't bet against it going to the home side. United are continuing to press Charlton, who are looking aimless out there now. They just want the final whistle to come.

SUBSTITUTION: Another change for the hosts sees Porter introduced in place of Scougall. Less than five minutes of normal time left to play at Bramall Lane.

United are just happy to run the clock down now. It's an exciting time to be a Blades fan because this win means that they will be going to Wembley Stadium. It's not just a case of finding out who they will meet in the last four of the competition.

SUBSTITUTION: United's final swap sees Flynn leave the field to be replaced by McGinn. The fourth official indicates that there will be four minutes of added time.

FULL TIME: SHEFF UTD 2-0 CHARLTON

It's over! Bramall Lane erupts as Sheffield United book their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win over Charlton. Yet again the Blades have beaten higher-ranked opposition to progress in the competition. Ryan Flynn opened the scoring for the hosts on 65 minutes before John Brayford found the net just two minutes later.

That's all from our live text coverage of this match but don't forget that you can follow updates of Hull City vs. Sunderland right here. That match is just about to get underway. Thanks for your company and we hope that you enjoy the rest of your FA Cup weekend. Goodbye!

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