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Shelton Dun Di Place!!!
Sheff Utd 5-0 Morecambe: Shrimps run over
PA
Sheffield United succeeded where other Coca-Cola Championship sides had failed by easing past competition giant-killers Morecambe 5-0 to book their place in the Carling Cup fourth round.
Strikers Billy Sharp and Luton Shelton each hit a double in a domineering Blades display with returning midfielder Lee Hendrie adding to the rout.
Former Manchester United team-mates Bryan Robson and Sammy McIlroy were pitted against each other as Morecambe went in search of their third Championship scalp of the competition, having already seen off the challenges of Wolves and Preston.
But the pattern of the game was established early on with the hugely-impressive Shelton producing the initial spark, jinking through three Morecambe defenders on the edge of the area before being narrowly dispossessed.
The breakthrough did not take long and came in the 18th minute along with the game's first shot on goal. Shelton demonstrated excellent close control in guiding the ball through a trio of Morecambe players on the edge of the box before nudging to his left and finding Sharp, who rattled home left-footed into the roof of the net.
Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny had to be on his guard for a curling free-kick from Carl Baker, but was barely troubled in tipping around the post, as Morecambe attempted to regain a hold on the tie.
But with Sharp in bullish mood, it was always going to be a tall order and the marksman struck his second 10 minutes before the break.
Derek Geary provided the lofted ball from the right flank which Sharp took on the bounce, before shuffling around his marker and banging in off the crossbar with a solid drive. After a unproductive first-half, Morecambe began the second period with renewed optimism and quickly set about finding a way to slice through a sturdy Blades defence. Matthew Blinkhorn, playing at the front of a five-man midfield, should have done better when he found himself in some space in the area, but failed to make a true connection.
And any early signs of a shock comeback were dashed after just five minutes of the restart, with United's third. Stephen Quinn planted a direct ball through the centre which caught everyone off guard except the unmarked Shelton who took the ball around Joe Lewis and slotted home with style.
From here on, there seemed only one likely winner and despite some neat Morecambe build-up play, they lacked the Blades' cutting edge.
Shelton, in particularly remained ever-dangerous and he saw two long-range efforts turned away by goalkeeper Lewis in quick succession.
Hendrie, back in the side for the first time since receiving knee surgery, should have made it four in the 65th minute after Lewis denied Sharp his hat-trick, but the midfield man blasted over from the edge of the box.
But he soon made amends when he was gifted the ball from eight yards out and took time in picking his spot before nailing the ball into the bottom right-corner.
The floodgates opened as Morecambe heads dropped and Shelton netted his second of the evening in the 74th minute.
The Jamaican easily turned his man on the edge of the penalty box and had ample time to pick his corner and place a sweet, curling effort past Lewis. United continued to press and could have feasibly doubled their tally were it not for the sharp reflexes of Lewis.
The Shrimps battled until the end, but Blinkhorn's low effort six minutes from time was the closest they ever came to penetrating.
PA
Sheffield United succeeded where other Coca-Cola Championship sides had failed by easing past competition giant-killers Morecambe 5-0 to book their place in the Carling Cup fourth round.
Strikers Billy Sharp and Luton Shelton each hit a double in a domineering Blades display with returning midfielder Lee Hendrie adding to the rout.
Former Manchester United team-mates Bryan Robson and Sammy McIlroy were pitted against each other as Morecambe went in search of their third Championship scalp of the competition, having already seen off the challenges of Wolves and Preston.
But the pattern of the game was established early on with the hugely-impressive Shelton producing the initial spark, jinking through three Morecambe defenders on the edge of the area before being narrowly dispossessed.
The breakthrough did not take long and came in the 18th minute along with the game's first shot on goal. Shelton demonstrated excellent close control in guiding the ball through a trio of Morecambe players on the edge of the box before nudging to his left and finding Sharp, who rattled home left-footed into the roof of the net.
Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny had to be on his guard for a curling free-kick from Carl Baker, but was barely troubled in tipping around the post, as Morecambe attempted to regain a hold on the tie.
But with Sharp in bullish mood, it was always going to be a tall order and the marksman struck his second 10 minutes before the break.
Derek Geary provided the lofted ball from the right flank which Sharp took on the bounce, before shuffling around his marker and banging in off the crossbar with a solid drive. After a unproductive first-half, Morecambe began the second period with renewed optimism and quickly set about finding a way to slice through a sturdy Blades defence. Matthew Blinkhorn, playing at the front of a five-man midfield, should have done better when he found himself in some space in the area, but failed to make a true connection.
And any early signs of a shock comeback were dashed after just five minutes of the restart, with United's third. Stephen Quinn planted a direct ball through the centre which caught everyone off guard except the unmarked Shelton who took the ball around Joe Lewis and slotted home with style.
From here on, there seemed only one likely winner and despite some neat Morecambe build-up play, they lacked the Blades' cutting edge.
Shelton, in particularly remained ever-dangerous and he saw two long-range efforts turned away by goalkeeper Lewis in quick succession.
Hendrie, back in the side for the first time since receiving knee surgery, should have made it four in the 65th minute after Lewis denied Sharp his hat-trick, but the midfield man blasted over from the edge of the box.
But he soon made amends when he was gifted the ball from eight yards out and took time in picking his spot before nailing the ball into the bottom right-corner.
The floodgates opened as Morecambe heads dropped and Shelton netted his second of the evening in the 74th minute.
The Jamaican easily turned his man on the edge of the penalty box and had ample time to pick his corner and place a sweet, curling effort past Lewis. United continued to press and could have feasibly doubled their tally were it not for the sharp reflexes of Lewis.
The Shrimps battled until the end, but Blinkhorn's low effort six minutes from time was the closest they ever came to penetrating.
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