Warnock in wonderland after Jagielka's late spectacular

Blade stunner: Jagielka fires in his long-range winner
14 April 2012

After 12 years and five months waiting for a topflight victory, Sheffield United fans saw their dream come true in scarcely believable style.

Few could realistically have dared to hope that skipper Phil Jagielka would have produced such a sweet long-range strike to win it with the game deep in added time and send manager Neil Warnock dancing with joy.

The reaction of the fans was deafening as their team climbed out of the Premiership drop zone. Rob Hulse had slid a simple finish past Middlesbrough keeper Mark Schwarzer in the 37th minute, though much of the credit must go to Colin Kazim-Richards for a perfect pass on the counter attack.

But careless defending three minutes after the break threw the advantage away. Yakubu seized on a hoofed clearance to score his 50th League goal.

Ironically, Yakubu had failed to find the net halfway through the first half when, having rounded Paddy Kenny with ease, he clipped the post from point-blank range.

Seconds later, Stewart Downing's cross gave Boro captain Jonathan Woodgate a wonderful opportunity to side-foot home from six yards.

The defender's volley flew past the post instead, and his manager, Gareth Southgate, must have feared the worst as his predecessor, England coach Steve McClaren, watched from the stands. Woodgate's defensive inconsistency will concern McClaren far more if he is lining up an England recall for the on-loan Real Madrid centre back.

Not only was Woodgate stranded up field for United's breakaway goal, he also lost concentration near half-time as Hulse stole clear. A more pressing worry for McClaren is Downing's failure to shine. Some of his crosses were dangerous. But he didn't show the sort of penetration expected against a team propping up the table. None of these issues will have troubled Warnock.

Yesterday, for once, football was not cruel to United's unpopular manager. Instead, Southgate must have felt that sinking feeling.

SHEFF UTD (4-4-2): Kenny; Armstrong, Davis, Jagielka, Bromby; Quinn (Kabba 77min), Leigertwood, Tonge, Gillespie (Nade 89); Kazim-Richards (Webber 77), Hulse. Subs: Morgan, Kozluk. Booked: Bromby. MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Taylor, Pogatetz, Woodgate, Davies; Downing, Rochemback, Cattermole, Morrison (Mendieta 71); Yakubu, Viduka. Subs: P arnaby, Turnbull, Maccarone, Bates. Booked: Woodgate, Cattermole, Rochemback. Referee: P Walton (Northamptonshire).

SHEFF UTD 2 Hulse (35), Jagielka (90) MIDDLESBRO 1 Yakubu (49)

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