As MLS said the ultimate game of two halves, but if Jamie had been more
composed we might have scored a hatful - he's trying too hard at the
moment! I assume Smith was taken off because of tiredness because the
loss of a tackling midfielder exposed us rotten in the second half,
although Crofty did no wrong when he eventually got the ball. Fingers
crossed this week Taylor can sign on for longer as without him we would
have been buried in the second half - he really was a class above and
rightly deserved the MOTM award.



________________________________

From: CN@yahoogroups.com [mailto:CN@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Brian
Burrell
Sent: 10 December 2007 09:36
To: CN@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [CN] Result: City 1-0 Sheffield Utd (Evans)



It was great to see the team (even if half are on loan) battle for the
win.
The off side goal is just one of those things in a season where
sometimes they are for you and sometimes against, swings and
roundabouts.
The only doubt in my mind is January, who will go back to their clubs,
who can we keep, and who else can Roeder get in if the board gets some
long term ambition for Christmas?
Brian
----- Original Message -----
From: mls11x
To: CN@yahoogroups.com <mailto:CN%40yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, December 10, 2007 1:37 AM
Subject: [CN] Result: City 1-0 Sheffield Utd (Evans)

This match could well be entered in the football dictionary as the
definition of a "game of two halves", but the excitement last the full
90 minutes!

City got off to a barn-storming start, ripping the Blades apart time
after time and went close to taking the lead a couple of times before
actually grabbing the only (allowed) goal of the game. United's
defence was in tatters and Huckerby was on fire, tormenting their
right back for fun.

Inside of ten minutes, Huckerby found space on the left and crossed
into the box, only for an attempted clearance to simply spoon into the
air and as it came down Cureton did enough to knock the ball towards
Ched Evans, who turned on the spot and fired into the roof of the net
from six yards - his second goal from two starts.

City continued to apply plenty of pressure and looked likely to add to
their early goal, but some how Sheffield survived until half-time.

As the teams returned after the break, Robson had clearly said
something to his players because where they had looked shambolic and
clueless, they now looked organised and purposeful, and City were on
the back foot. As the half wore on, despite some resolute defending,
an equaliser looked inevitable.

A few close shaves later and with 90 minutes on the clock, Huckerby
was set free on the half-way line, but as he looked set to race clear
he was tackled from behind - every City fan bayed for a freekick, but
the ref waved play on and United got the ball out wide and crossed
into the box where Kilgallon headed home from 12 yards.

As the entire Blades team charged towards the celebrating away fans,
the linesman bravely held his flag up to signify offside - and much to
our relief the ref upheld the decision, ruling out the goal and
booking two of their players for dissent.

So, City were off the hook and nearly made it safe a moment later when
Huckerby rounded the keeper and had the empty goal at his mercy, but
from 25 yards out and a tight angle he was only able to hit the
side-netting, leaving us to bite our nails for a few more seconds
until the ref finally brought the game to an end.

The three points were enough to lift City out of the relegation zone
and meant City had won four of our last five games. A lot of the
credit, on the pitch, has to go to loan signings Martin Taylor, Matty
Pattison, Mo Camera and Ched Evans who have all made a big impact
since Roeder brought them to Carrow Road.

Martin Taylor's loan deal expires in a couple of days, but Roeder has
hopes of doing a permanent deal, or at least extending the loan, which
could be the most important signing City have made since Huckerby
arrived. MLS

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