SOBS: MAN U

The Lads welcomed Manchester United to Wearside and were probably the better side in what was a good game of football, despite the referee's best attempts to spoil it. Rumour has it he's retiring in the summer. He should really have brought that forward to 3:45 today. No goals but an interesting contest.   

Much of the chatter through the week was about Dan Ballard's tonsorial troubles, with every pundit agreeing with us that it was a ridiculous sending off. The ref, instructed by VAR half a minute after the event, pretty much had his hands tied regarding the punishment but we were right to appeal. Okay, it was never going to be rescinded but it's put the situation in the spotlight and there should be changes to the rule in the close season. Whilst still on the subject of punishments, we wondered why the player in last Sunday's televised game, whose boot was touched by the opposing goalkeeper's gloved hand and rolled around clutching his shin, wasn't booked for "simulation." Oh and let's hope he saw the pictures of Morgan Gibbs-White's face after Monday's clash of heads with the Chelsea 'keeper. 

Anyway, who'd be in for Dan? Luke O'Nien, Lutsharel Geertruida, Nordi Mukiele or somebody else?  

Robin Roefs

Trai Hume, Omar Alderete, Geertruida, Reinildo 

Mukiele, Granit Xhaka (c), Noah Sadiki

Enzo Le Fee, Chemsdine Talbi

Brian Brobbey 

...and a bench of Melker Ellborg, Wilson Isidor, Eliezer Mayenda, Habib Diarra, Chris Rigg, Nilson Angulo, Jocelin Ta Bi, O'Nien and Dennis Cirkin.

With the damp and dreary Mancunian weather having followed the visitors north and our Jack on a sugar rush after his first Pink Slice, we faced a blue and yellow United and they kicked off south. With Hume pushing forward and Mukiele hanging back, there was a little period of us passing it about in our box, then we moved the passing up the field and shot not far off the top corner. Sadiki showed tenacity and composure to set up a chance that was saved, by which time we'd properly established ourselves in the game. The corner led to another, but Le Fee's effort was too short and made Alderete's diving header impossible to hit the target.

A contentious free to United brought a comically bad routine that ended with a wildly inaccurate shot, then a Xhaka free set Brobbey galloping into the box after a great spin but the 'keeper was just there first. A few minutes later, we had two quick shouts for handball in their box as shots were blocked but nothing came of them. Computer said no. After a couple of United corners were dealt with, BB was adjudged to have handled in their box whilst on the ground on the half hour. A long one found Talbi, who was having a few decent runs and it eventually found its way to BB but his shot from wide on the right scudded across and wide. More good stuff produced a shot that was deflected for another corner but they packed the box and got it away to produce a bit of pressure on our defence as half time approached.

Thankfully, we got a grip as a single added minute was announced and Talbi won another corner that was, again, dealt with. No goals but I reckon we had been the better side.

No changes for the second half and the first effort came from them - Amad Diallo obviously couldn't bring himself to score and looped his shot way over three minutes in. Good lad. Mukiele, who has been swapping the right of defence with Hume and Gerty, produced a great clearance before two quick visitors' fouls brought no cards. There was one, however, on 54 minutes after a play on was given following a foul on Aldo near halfway.

We built a great move from right back to outside left but the cross evaded everyone. Joshua Zirkzee was carded for a pretty daft pull on Aldo, who the visitors seemed to be trying to wind up. They failed. Talbi kept winning corners, then Xhaka, encouraged by the crowd, hit a shot that drifted well wide on the hour. A really nice move found BB near the spot but his left footer on the spin was pushed away. Zirkzee was replaced by Patrick Dorgu to add more beef to their attack as Hume had a spell just behind Brobbey. With about twenty to go, some great play saw Gerty find BB in the box and, when he took the return, he slipped on the edge but still got away a shot that pinged off the foot of the 'keeper's right hand post.

It nearly nearly/ should have got better soon after when Hume galloped forward but, with the defence running to cover Brobbey and thus leaving a channel for Trai, he put in a poor pass rather than a shot, and it was cleared. Amad was warmly applauded when replaced by Bryan Mbuemo, yet more beef to their forward line but nothing we couldn't deal with. With twelve to go, Talbi made way for Angulo, who we were quick to bring into the game. He got in a grand cross to the back post, where Brobbey was deemed to have fouled somebody. Enzo tried his luck from distance but was well off target, then Mayenda replaced Hume, who'd begun to look a bit lost up the field. 

Four added minutes were announced, there was a yellow for a ridiculous dive in the box by Cunha after a shot had cannoned off our 'keeper's chest. Then that was it, at least the ref got the whistle correct.

Man of the Match? Nobody had a bad game. Sadiki was everywhere, Talbi was a pest and the whole back line performed admirably, restricting the visitors to a single shot on target. I think I'll give it to Le Fee as he was the main creator as well as putting in a couple of vital tackles.