36 mins Shelton rattles Kuscsczcsczcsczcsak's net

[Lazie]

.... the Blades fans celebrate .... but the ball had gone the wrong side of the post. A decent hit froma tight angle, but it would have taken an absolute screamer or an absolute howler to beat Kuzsczcsczsccsak from there. "Who is this joker?" asks Rob Smyth. Assuming he's not referring to me, Shefff Utd bought Luton Shelton for £1.85m from Helsingborg in the January transfer window. This is his first start since then.

[Mosiah]

He's getting some shots off but they are going wide or high.

I wonder how today's atmosphere compares to that of the last time Shelton played at Old Trafford.

[Lazie]

He was substituted in the 89th minute. Based on the commentary I was following, he was a handful for Wes Brown.

[Zeppo]

Maybe he should ask Beasley for a few pointers on finishing after that sweet goal he put past Lehmann this evening.


http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=894198

[Fyahbox]

Manchester United moved six points clear of Chelsea with a 2-0 win over Sheffield United at Old Trafford.

Goals at the start of each half from Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney were enough to secure the three points, but Sir Alex Ferguson's men were tested to the full by The Blades.

The Red Devils were never in danger of not securing the three points, but Neil Warnock may have unearthed a gem as Luton Shelton caused the Premiership leaders' defence untold problems on his full debut.

The Jamaican was a thorn in the side of the home side and was denied a clear-cut penalty, but The Blades ultimately lacked the craft to find a way past Tomasz Kuszczak.

Shelton was asked to plough a lone furrow in attack, an unenviable task for any forward at Old Trafford, but he showed a real appetite early on when dashing down the left and cutting inside before being fouled on the edge of the box by Paul Scholes.

Michael Tonge scored a cracking free-kick against West Ham at the weekend, but he could not repeat the dose as his low drive provided Kuszczak with a confident early touch.

The early chance proved a false dawn for The Blades, as The Red Devils responded with the opening goal after four minutes.

Cristiano Ronaldo was once again the architect as he cut a swath through the Blades midfield before clipping a pass into the path of Carrick. The England midfielder still had plenty to do but, full of confidence following a recent purple patch, he flicked a neat shot over the advancing Paddy Kenny.

Rooney could and should have doubled the advantage on six minutes but, after collecting a raking pass from Carrick and cutting inside Rob Kozluk, his shot lacked power and accuracy and Kenny was able to push the effort away.

The Blades shrugged off the early setback and Tonge forced Kuszczak into a sprawling save, while the home side's makeshift centre-halves Wes Brown and Gabriel Heinze halted Shelton on the edge of their own box more by luck than judgement.

The Blades were not afraid to ruffle a few feathers and Patrice Evra's evening was ended early by a high tackle from Colin Kazim-Richards, while Alan Smith required a change of shorts after being caught high by Matthew Kilgallon.

Shelton was determined to impress and he fizzed a shot into the side netting after galloping onto a pass from Kazim-Richards who had brushed off the challenge of Heinze, while shortly afterwards he fired high over the bar from the edge of the box.

Rooney cut a frustrated figure in the first half and a fine tackle from Chris Morgan thwarted him 60 seconds after the restart, while Shelton twice caused United's defence problems with burrowing runs into the box.

The spiky forward's frustration evaporated on 50 minutes as he flashed home the second, killer, goal. A neat run between Morgan and Kozluk was spotted superbly by Ryan Giggs and the England man did justice to the pass as he smashed a drive across Kenny and into the corner.

The Blades, and Shelton in particular, continued to threaten and he passed up a gilt-edged chance on 53 minutes.

The Jamaican showed great awareness to cushion a pass from Kilgallon out of his feet and away from Brown, but spoiled the build-up work by scooping his effort over the bar.

Heinze looked uncomfortable in the middle and was rolled too easily by Danny Webber, but the forward pushed his shot across the face of goal.

The home side may have been opened up more times than they would have cared for, but they still carried an attacking threat and Kenny made good saves from Rooney and Ronaldo in quick succession.

Kenny made another fine save from Giggs but, seconds later, Shelton sped away from Brown and dashed into the area before being felled by Heinze.

The Blades were convinced a penalty should have been the reward for Shelton's endeavour, but referee Rob Styles waved away their fierce protests.

The controversial decision appeared to knock the stuffing out of The Blades, but they kept plugging away and Tonge crashed a curling effort against the bar as the Premiership leaders were given a far sterner examination than appeared likely just four minutes in.

[Lazie]

Sounds like he did himself justice.

[Assasin]

you still think him shoulda go a France?

[Tilla]

I would admit, that run Shelton made against the Man Ure defense and he was fouled should have been a penalty. Man he showed a good turn of speed there.

[Lazie]

you still think him shoulda go a France?

Yes!!! However he made his choice.

[Lazie]

I would admit, that run Shelton made against the Man Ure defense and he was fouled should have been a penalty. Man he showed a good turn of speed there.

Fully agree, that should have been a penalty. Anyway, if Sheffield get relegated, Warnock should be blamed. Why him wait suh long fi leggo the yute?

[Zeppo]

Congrats to Shelton on what sounded like a very positive Premiership debut.

And unfortunately for him he learned rather quickly just how difficult it is to be awarded a penalty at Old Trafford.

[Lazie]

Congrats to Shelton on what sounded like a very positive Premiership debut.

And unfortunately for him he learned rather quickly just how difficult it is to be awarded a penalty at Old Trafford.

Not certain what you're implying here, but MAnu was denied a penalty also. Therefore, in that sense ... your statement may have some validity.

[Mosiah]

Which penalty BoyU never get?

[Lazie]

Boyu? Please get it right. MAnchester United. Rooney took the ball on his chest and the defender fouled him.

[Mosiah]

Please! That slo-mo (my nickname in school, btw!) was shown 100 times! Rooney first had his hands all over the defender who then did likewise. Very iffy call, if any! Shelton's was a clear penalty. In fact, Heinze could have broken his ankle and should have received a red card for the tackle.

Lazie, I don't believe anyone is saying that Sheffield would have won. Relax!