Reading 1-2 Sheffield United: FA Cup Match Report- Blades need extra-time to progress to the quarter-finals
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An extra time goal from ex-Royal Billy Sharp was enough for the Blades to progress to the quarterfinals of the FA Cup, after Chris Wilder’s side overcame Reading by 2-1.
The Championship side managed to force extra-time after George Puscas’s penalty cancelled David McGoldrick’s early first half header.
Chris Wilder’s Blades are now one more game away from a Wembley semi-final.
The Blades flew out the blocks in the opening minutes of the game and as a result went 1-0 up within the first two minutes after a Ben Osbourne’s cross from the left found the head of David McGoldrick who headed in unmarked in the box.
The early proceedings in the first half felt like a training session for the Blades, and they really should have added to the lead when both John Egan and David McGoldrick had chances which neither could convert.
Reading gradually eased their way into the first half and the best attempt they could muster early on came from a ferocious attempt by forward Yakou Meite which was parried away by Dean Henderson.
The Royals really struggled to create many problems for the hosts in the first half but were handed a lifeline right on half-time courtesy of a George Baldock push on Reading midfielder Andy Rinomhota in the box.
The resulting penalty was tucked away by inform striker George Puscas who made it his 11th goal for the Royals so far this season with that spot kick.
Mark Bowen’s side started the second half the better but only had a half chance from young attacker Michael Olise to show for it.
As the second half progressed, Reading sat deeper and deeper and inadvertently invited relentless Blades pressure.
David McGoldlrick and Luke Freeman had the best two chances before the 80th minute mark, but neither could convert setting up a nervous and frantic final 10 minutes for both sides as the prospect of extra time drew closer.
Neither team could force a winner meaning that extra-time was needed to settle this contest at the Madejski Stadium.
Nothing really happened in the first part of extra time up till the last minute of the first period of extra-time when ex-Royal Billy Sharp popped up at the back post to send the Blades through to the quarter-final of the FA Cup.
Quotes of the Day
Reading boss Mark Bowen admitted the difficulty of accepting tonight’s result after the significant amount of effort that the Royals put into the contest.
He said: “I am proud but it's hard to take when you put so much effort into the game.
“We knew we were playing a top class side and would have to forsake a little bit of ground.
“We had a game plan of soaking up the pressure and hitting them on the counter attack, but when the game settled down after a terrible start we took the game to them for large periods.
“As a coach I'm disappointed because the two goals are from crosses and we do a lot of work on them but we got caught out.It was difficult to take.
“We played Wigan last week and we let ourselves down. I came here hoping to put smiles on the fans' faces because we're in the quarter final of the FA Cup.
“I wouldn't expect them to smile because we've been beaten but hopefully they can go home with a sense of pride that their team put in a real shift and probably deserved more.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder praised the Reading fans tonight for how they enhanced the performance of the Royals against the his Blades side tonight.
He said: "It was a tight game. It was a tough game. I thought the Reading crowd were excellent and they really inspired their players."
"It was a really dangerous game for us. So to get the win in a tight game was really satisfying for us."
What does this all mean?
The major implications of the result is that Sheffield United are now fighting on two fronts for the rest of the season. They have a top four race to concentrate on alongside a FA Cup quarter-final now.
In terms of Reading, this was their biggest game of the season with being mid-table in the Championship. No threat of relegation at this moment and little chance of getting back into the promotion picture made this game a significant event in the Royals’s season.
But now being out of the FA Cup means that the side from Berkshire can focus on finishing the domestic season strong.
People need to remember that Reading can’t get complacent now as they could be pulled back into the relegation dogfight in the Championship if complacency slips into Bowen’s side.
The stats that matter
Sheffield United have reached the FA Cup quarter-final for the first time since 2013-14 - but the last time they did so as a top flight side was 1992-93.
Billy Sharp has now scored in back to back games at the Madejski Stadium. Tonight in Sheffield United’s 2-1 win and last season when United beat Reading 2-0.
Reading have lost their last five meetings with Sheffield United in all competitions; only against Arsenal (14), Manchester United (6) and Middlesbrough (6) are they on longer current losing streaks.
George Puscas 11th goal today means that he is now joint top scorer with Reading forward Yakou Meite. Both are tied on 11 goals in all competitions.
David McGoldrick's second-minute strike was his first goal of the season for Sheffield United, in his 21st game with what was his 37th shot.
Man of the match
Billy Sharp
The Ex-Reading striker didn’t start the game, but the impact he made when coming on midway through the second half made the difference and in the end- sent Sheffield United through to the quarter-finals.
The goal he scored at the end of the first period of extra-time really knocked the stuffing out of Reading going into the second period of extra-time.
The 34-year-old was also involved in a bust up at the end of the match with Reading defender Michael Morrison and overall provided the fight the Blades needed to edge past the Royals.
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