Days Gone By - Cardiff City vs. Sheffield United
Cardiff City face Sheffield United at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon and, ahead of the Sky Bet Championship clash, we look back at some memorable meetings against the Blades in years gone by.
City fight back at Ninian Park - 27th March 2004
Without a home league victory against the Blades since 1982, Lennie Lawrence’s side came into the contest following a sturdy 1-0 victory over Crewe Alexandra in their previous fixture.
The Bluebirds began the day in 14th place, looking to secure back-to-back wins for the first time in 10 games, after an inconsistent run of form to start their return season in the second tier.
It was the visitors who struck first in the contest through Peter Ndlovu, who finished well past Martyn Margetson to give United the lead midway through the first half.
The Bluebirds, however, pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time, as Richard Langley netted his fifth goal of the campaign to draw City level going into the break.
With Lawrence’s men growing in confidence during the second period, City found a winner in the 63rd minute, when John Robinson fired past the outstretched Paddy Kenny to round off a memorable performance and secure a pulsating victory at Ninian Park.
Following the win in South Wales, City went on to secure a 13th-placed finish in Division One, finishing eight points adrift of sixth-placed and eventual play-off winners Crystal Palace.
Bluebirds hold the Blades at Bramall Lane - 12th April 2011
One of our most prolific away victories against the Blades came in April 2011, with a performance that the travelling City fans would not forget in a hurry.
The Bluebirds travelled to Bramall Lane in good form, having gone unbeaten in five of their last seven Championship fixtures - a win for the Bluebirds would strengthen their grip on a Play-Off spot.
The Bluebirds made a blistering start to the contest, with Craig Bellamy almost firing City ahead in the 10th minute as the City skipper cut in from the left-hand side, before forcing United goalkeeper Steve Simonsen into a strong diving save.
Their pressure, however, paid off just minutes later as Bellamy put City into a deserved lead. Peter Whittingham's cute reverse pass caught United right-back Nyron Nosworthy square, and the winger was on hand to provide a skilful finish, curling a delightful effort beyond Simonsen and into the far corner.
Bellamy's strike was his ninth in all competitions and his first goal in 11 games, as the Bluebirds found the net for the 26th time that season.
In the second half, the home side created several goal-scoring opportunities, but it was the Blades, who had failed to score in 18 of their 41 matches that season, who were left to rue missed opportunities as substitute Jay Emmanuel-Thomas smashed home his second of the season soon after.
The on-loan Arsenal forward fended off several challenges inside the box before reaching latching onto Chris Burke’s teasing cross to head home and seal City’s division-best 10th away win of the campaign.
City continue perfect start to promotion-winning campaign - 15th August 2017
City looked to build momentum following their winning start to the 2017/18 season as they hosted the Blades at CCS in mid-August, entering the contest on the back of an impressive 3-0 victory over Aston Villa
After an opening 40 minutes of little goalmouth action, Sean Morrison broke the deadlock for City in the 44th minute. The skipper netted his first goal of the campaign, powerfully heading past Blades shot-stopper Jamal Blackman.
There was no let up from City in the second half, and they completed a superb 2-0 victory when Nathaniel Mendez-Laing's stunning finish to a sweeping team move in the 55th minute put Warnock's team firmly in charge, with the visitors doing well to prevent a third goal late on.
With the final whistle blown in the Welsh capital, City made history by securing victory in their opening three league games of a season for the first time in the club's 107-year history.
Going on to gain promotion back to the top flight, City would secure Premier League status at the end of the season with a second-place finish, gaining automatic promotion.
