Sheffield United 0-1 Sunderland

Sheffield United 0-1 Sunderland
Carabao Cup
Wednesday 25th September 2019

Max Power scored a terrific early opener for Sunderland in this cup shock (of sorts) and then for the rest of the game... not an awful lot happened.

Considering this was a golden opportunity for some of Sheffield United's fringe players to force their way into Chris Wilder's first team plans, it'd be an understatement to say that not one of them grasped the opportunity.

The Black Cats, backed as usual by some terrific support, went ahead against the run of play in the early minutes, then kept their shape extremely well, defended alright and were genuine and worthy winners. Barring the odd half-opportunity 'here and there' and the occasional opening from a set-play, the Blades didn't really ever look as if they were going to force an equaliser - they lacked tempo, creativity and... it was just a little bit sh*t!

Ravel Morrison seemed to have a free role but despite his huge ego and reputation, he did nothing to suggest that it'll be at Bramall Lane where his career finally gets going. Luke Freeman, who would have put himself in contention for a starting place against Liverpool on Saturday with a good display, barely made an impact. Ben Osborn, another with great potential, showed glimpses but again it wasn't anywhere near enough to get excited about.

For the neutral (and even considering it was a cup shock) the game just wasn't greatly entertaining, exciting and it was all too very flat. I'm just glad I had a bet on a '1-0 Sunderland win' at 12/1, which at least pays for a decent chunk of the night out at Bramall Lane.

Over the years I've been present at a number of cup upsets; Wigan winning the FA Cup with Ben Watson's last-gasp goal against Manchester City, Oldham Athletic beating Liverpool and Leyton Orient winning at Fulham, to name some.

Considering the Fourth Round draw has been favourable for the remaining lower league sides; Oxford play Sunderland and Crawley play Colchester, this might just be the season where a totally unfashionable lower division outfit is able to replicate Bradford City's achievements of reaching the League Cup Final in 2013.