The Bluebirds were defeated by a single goal in a tight encounter at Bramall Lane on Saturday, April 23rd, 2022.
Steve Morison welcomed Joe Ralls back into the side, with City’s No.8 captaining the side.
The Bluebirds had an early chance to take the lead from a fellow returning player. Max Watters, starting the game, almost had the perfect way to celebrate his opening game back with the First Team after injury. Watters combined with fellow forward Jordan Hugill, before beating his defender and finding himself one-on-one with Wes Foderingham. The Blades’ shot stopper though made a fine low stop to keep the scores level.
Sheffield United’s main threats in the opening half came from Norwegian international Sander Berge. The midfielder was denied on three occasions by City's No.1 Dillon Phillips. The goalkeeper also made an impact low diving stop to keep out Ben Osborn's low strike in an end-to-end first half that finished goalless.
City were forced to make two changes at the interval due to injuries and fitness. Will Vaulks and Mark McGuinness came on to replace Cody Drameh and Ralls. The hosts went on the attack from the restart and found the first goal. Iliman Ndiaye, playing as a lone forward, headed his side after within three minutes of the restart.
Morison's side competed throughout with their Play-Off challenging hosts, but were unable to find a levelling goal. McGuinness saw his header into the danger area tipped away by Foderingham with twenty minutes left to play before fellow sub Rubin Colwill struck over late on from distance with City restricted to half chances in the second period. Berge had an opportunity to add a second late on for the home side after finding rare space in behind the away defence, but he hit the post.
The Bluebirds are on the road again next time out, at Middlesbrough, on Wednesday, April 27th, 2022.
FINAL SCORE: SHEFFIELD UNITED 1-0 CARDIFF CITY
Sheffield United: Foderingham, Basham, Egan, Robinson, Osborn, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens, Berge, Gibbs-White, Ndiaye (Sharp 70'). Subs Not Used: A. Davies, Osula, B. Davies, Norrington-Davies, Uremovic, Hourihane.
Cardiff City: Phillips, Ng, Nelson, Denham, Drameh (McGuinness 46'), Bagan, Doyle, Ralls (Vaulks 46'), Wintle, Hugill, Watters (Colwill 66'). Subs Not Used: Luthra, Flint, Harris, Ikpeazu.