Sheffield United v Blackburn Rovers Live Commentary & Result, 19/03/2023, FA Cup

That's all from us, we hope you enjoyed that fantastic cup tie as much as we did! We'll see you for the next game, bye for now.

That late 3-2 victory sends Sheffield United to Wembley, where they'll face any one of Brighton, Fulham, Grimsby, or Manchester's City or United. This season just gets better for the Blades, who also sit three points clear of third-placed Middlesbrough in the Championship promotion race. Blackburn are also firmly in that race, and following their FA Cup exit, Rovers will push on from fifth place as they seek a Premier League return of their own for the first time in 11 seasons.

Doyle's winning strike produced just 0.1 xG, and was the first of his three shots to find the target. The on-loan Manchester City midfielder had the most touches on the pitch, and created two chances from 18 final-third passes which included six crosses of the ball. Winning an exceptional 12 of his 13 duels, Doyle completed five of his six dribbles and won possession on seven occasions, four tackles, two clearances and an interception to complete an all-round performance from the 21-year-old. Hub.

The magic of the FA Cup, on full display at Bramall Lane! Tommy Doyle's injury-time winner sees Sheffield United into the semi-finals, where they'll line up at Wembley in five weeks' time following a pulsating 3-2 triumph over a valiant Blackburn. Rovers struck first in the second half with Gallagher again involved to set up Szmodics' breakaway finish, but back came the Blades in the latter stages. McBurnie snuck in an equaliser to set up a tetchy final 10 minutes, and Doyle hammered home the winner to send Paul Heckingbottom's side into the last four.

90' + 9' FULL-TIME: SHEFFIELD UNITED 3-2 BLACKBURN ROVERS.

90' + 8' A late Blackburn free-kick is thumped forward by Pears, and the scramble in the box sees Basham concede a late corner!

90' + 7' BLOCKED!! Sheffield united aren't done yet and Ndiaye turns on the edge of the area to find Bogle. The substitute hits the ball first-time, but Carter gets in the way to block it out for a throw!

90' + 5' We're well beyond the four allocated minutes now, and play resumes after the injured Morton leaves the pitch.

T. Dolan

T. Morton

90' + 4' Morton picked up an injury just prior to the goal, and he's withdrawn late for fifth-round scorer Tyrhys Dolan.

J. Garrett

S. Szmodics

90' + 3' Blackburn make late changes as they look to rescue the game, as Szmodics comes off for Jake Garrett.

C. Basham

J. McAtee

90' + 3' McAtee comes off having excelled in the middle today, and one of the Blades' 2019 promotion winners, Chris Basham, replaces him.

S. Berge

Assist

90' + 1' Berge looked likely to shoot himself, but Sheffield United's fans will be glad he didn't after laying that ball off for Doyle to thump home.

T. Doyle

Goal

90' + 1' GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLL!!!!!! What a way to win this cup tie!!! Berge can't find much of an avenue in the box, so passes deep to Doyle 25 yards from goal. The youngster smashes an absolute belter of a finish straight into the top corner, and Pears can't keep the ball out as it rifles past him!!! 3-2 to the Blades, and what a way to cap off this simply outstanding game of football!

90' We're into four added minutes at Bramall Lane, and it's do-or-die time if either of these sides want to avoid extra-time and penalties here.

J. Bogle

G. Baldock

88' Baldock comes off late for the Blades, with Jayden Bogle slotting in at right-wing-back.

88' BLOCKED!!! Morton loses out to McAtee in midfield, who slips a pass through to Sharp. He shoots early, but his effort is blocked before the offside flag is raised against him!

87' Brittain stands up Lowe and fires a fizzing cross into the box, which Foderingham has to catch to prevent flying into the net!

87' SAVED!!! Baldock keeps the ball in play down the right before finding Doyle in the middle. He shoots from the edge of the box, but the low drive is straight into Pears' gloves!

85' Ndiaye keeps the ball alive and takes three defenders out of the picture with a back-heel to Lowe. He looks to play a one-two with McBurnie, but the return ball to Lowe is cut out and cleared by Wharton!

83' Sharp's cross from the right isn't headed clear properly by Hyam, but Pears is fouled in the air by McBurnie as the two contest the high ball.

M. Lowe

Assist

81' Assist Max Josef Lowe

O. McBurnie

Goal

81' GOOOOOOOAAAAALLL!!!! Sheffield United are level once again!!! Lowe brings down a cross-field ball and somehow squeezes the ball into McBurnie's path. He steps beyond his marker and fires the ball across the face, with Pears rooted to the spot as it finds the bottom corner!! 2-2 inside the final 10 minutes, and this game takes another magnificent twist!

C. Brittain

J. Rankin-Costello

80' Rankin-Costello is also withdrawn, with the right-back replaced by Callum Brittain.

S. Wharton

R. Hedges

80' Hedges comes off having scraped the woodwork with a brilliant Blackburn chance, and he's replaced by defender Scott Wharton.

78' This is only the fifth FA Cup quarter-final since 2000 to feature two second-tier sides, the first since 2012-13 when Millwall knocked out Blackburn in a replay. Sheffield United also featured in one of those, losing 1-0 to Sunderland in 2003-04.

77' WIDE!!! He had to hit the target there! Ahmedhodzic passes to McAtee in acres of open space, and he threads a ball through to McBurnie in the box. The striker snatches at his shot though, sending a left-footed effort a yard wide of the near post!!

75' CHANCE!! Brereton-Diaz brilliantly turns away from Baldock to beat the wing-back down the left, though his square pass across the face is inches away from being tapped home by Gallagher!

74' Blackburn have won all three of their away games in the FA Cup this season, in the third round against Norwich, fourth round replay against Birmingham and fifth round against Leicester. The last team to win four away games in the FA Cup in a season was Liverpool in 2014-15.

72' Ndiaye looks to get around the outside of Hyam in the Blackburn box, but the defender somehow comes up with the ball and clears for the Rovers!

71' OFF THE POST!!! Blackburn break after a loose ball falls their way and Szmodics finds Hedges. He cuts inside and fires a low, left-footed shot, which rattles the right-hand post, rolls along the goal-line, and goes behind for a goal kick beyond the left upright!

B. Sharp

J. Robinson

70' The Blades bring off Robinson in defence and make an attacking change, introducing club captain Billy Sharp for the last 20 minutes (at least).

68' Berge cuts onto his right foot and tries a shot from the edge of the box, but Szmodics and Gallagher slide in to block the ball and prevent it from going anywhere near Foderingham's goal.

67' Gallagher and Brereton-Diaz team up to put good pressure on Doyle, forcing the Blades midfielder to volley the ball out for a throw.

65' McAtee and Travis come together in midfield, and the Sheffield United youngster is penalised to give Blackburn a free-kick.

64' Szmodics has now scored in his last two FA Cup games, having only scored two in his first 12 appearances in the competition before this.

H. Carter

Yellow Card

62' Carter slides in wildly to chop down McBurnie, and his yellow card means he'll be suspended for the semi-final - should Blackburn get there.

S. Gallagher

Assist

60' The tackle from Morton was as good as it gets in midfield, and the ball into feet from Gallagher was even better!

S. Szmodics

Goal

60' GOOOOOAAAALLLL!!! The Rovers return to score first in the second half!! A fantastic sliding challenge from Morton sends possession straight to Gallagher, and his deft throughball puts Szmodics in the clear. He slides in to slide the ball beyond Foderingham, and the ball nestles in the bottom corner to send Blackburn 2-1 up!

59' Berge's low cross from the right deflects into the path of Ahmedhodzic, but the defender's chipped ball to the back post finds no-one and Pears watches it float behind.

58' SAVED!!! Travis' backpass to his goalkeeper is woefully underhit and McAtee snatches onto it, but Pears comes to his captain's rescue and parries with his right leg after closing the gap well!

56' Blackburn's counter-attack gives them a three-on-three in the final third, and it comes wide to Gallagher. He cuts inside from the left looking to shoot, but takes a heavy touch and loses out to Doyle.

56' Ndiaye links up with Baldock in the box, though the cut-back to the striker is behind him. He keeps the ball alive and finds Lowe, but his cross from the left is cut out by Blackburn, who break through Brereton-Diaz!

55' McBurnie finds Ndiaye in the Blackburn box, but he's soon dispossessed and Pears hammers the ball clear for Rovers.

53' This is Sheffield United’s third FA Cup quarter-final in the last four seasons – they lost their previous two, against Arsenal in 2019-20 and Chelsea in 2020-21, and last progressed in 2013-14 against Charlton.

52' Brereton-Diaz finds Szmodics on an underlapping run into the box, and the midfielder's early crosses flashes beyond Foderingham and over the opposite touchline!

51' Ahmedhodzic drives forward from the back and finds Ndiaye, who twists and turns his way into the box before finding McAtee. He cuts onto his left foot, but can't quite find space to shoot before being dispossessed!

49' SAVED!!! What a pair of stops by Foderingham!! Pickering arrives in the box and fires a low right-footed shot goalwards. Foderingham gets down to parry the ball away as it flies through the crowd, and reacts in tow to keep out Brereton-Diaz's rebound from close range! What a start to the second half!

47' WIDE!!! Sheffield United switch play to the right and McAtee lays the ball off to an arriving Baldock, whose first-time shot is hammered into the side-netting!

46' CHANCE!!! Ndiaye and Lowe play a brilliant one-two in the box straight from kick-off, and the latter tees up McAtee, but he's not expecting the ball and bundles a shot wide!

46' Ndiaye kicks off the second half for the Blades, and we're back up and running here!

The teams are back out for the second half, and with no replays from the fifth round onwards, this FA Cup tie must be settled in the next 45 minutes, otherwise it's extra-time and penalties at Bramall Lane!

Gallagher's already made an impact at both ends, having his shot illegally stopped by the hand of Robinson for the penalty, and deflecting the ball into his own net just seven minutes later. The Rovers striker has had two shots on goal, and provided an outlet up front by completing six passes in the final third and winning six of his 11 duels, five of which came in the air. He's also completed a tackle, interception and clearance apiece, being in the thick of the action as his side seek a winner at Bramall Lane.

This high-octane cup-tie is level at half-time, and what a display we've seen so far from both teams! The goals have far from reflected the quality on display so far, with Brereton-Diaz's VAR-awarded penalty cancelled out by an own goal from his strike partner Gallagher. Aside from those, we've seen some brilliant chances at both ends, with Pears making saves from McAtee and Doyle and Foderingham doing likewise to deny Gallagher and Hyam. This is some cup tie, and the second half should be even better as both sides fight for a place in the last four!

45' + 4' HALF-TIME: SHEFFIELD UNITED 1-1 BLACKBURN ROVERS.

45' + 3' WIDE!!! Baldock and Berge do well to keep possession on the right, and the former finds Doyle. Ahmedhodzic is forward and the midfielder's first-time cross finds him, but the offside flag goes up as the defender glances his header wide of the mark!

45' + 2' United win a free-kick down the left touchline which is fired towards the goal by Doyle, but the ball is far too close to Pears who claims it for Blackburn.

45' We'll play three additional minutes at the end of this highly entertaining first half.

44' Berge drives forward and almost finds shooting space in the box, but Hyam blocks his path and blasts the ball clear for Rovers.

43' Ahmedhodzic and Brereton-Diaz lock horns down the left, and the Sheffield United defender comes out on top by throwing the forward to the ground, and is lucky not to concede a free-kick on the byline!

42' Blackburn attempt to find shooting space from the corner, but each time they're blocked off by Sheffield United's defence. Hedges tries to beat Lowe and cross from the right, but the left-back gets a foot in to put the ball out for a throw.

41' Hedges cuts inside from the right and fires a fantastic cross towards the far post. Brereton-Diaz attacks it, but Baldock gets back to head behind for a corner.

39' Sheffield United have won 13 of their last 16 FA Cup matches at Bramall Lane, including their last four straight. The Blades last had a longer home winning run of seven such FA Cup matches between January 2002 and January 2005.

37' McAtee skips away from two defenders and floats a cross for McBurnie to attack at the far post, but Pickering gets there first for Blackburn and heads the ball behind for a corner.

36' Some great one-touch passing down the left from Sheffield United sees McAtee put Lowe into open space, but despite Hedges holding him back, the hosts aren't awarded a free-kick!

34' From the corner, another great Morton delivery finds Gallagher at the front post, whose glancing header flashes wide!

33' SAVED!!! Blackburn win a free-kick from the right-hand side, and Morton's delivery is an absolute beauty. Hyam gets a strong head to the ball, but his goalbound effort is straight at Foderingham, who tips the ball over!

31' Ahmedhodzic's first-time cross finds the late run of Berge into the box, but the Norwegian is beaten in the air by Hyam, who heads clear.

30' The Blades look to have a break on after Robinson is fouled by Rankin-Costello, but the referee has already blown the whistle and prevents the hosts from playing advantage!

S. Gallagher

Own Goal

28' GOOOOAAAALLL!!!!! The Blades are back on terms!!! A Sheffield United corner is headed clear, and Lowe hammers a half-volley straight back towards goal. The ball appears to be heading behind but takes a huge deflection off Gallagher, bamboozling Pears as the ball flies past him into the net! Vindication for the hosts after the harsh penalty given against them, and we're locked back up at 1-1!

27' Rankin-Costello does well to dispossess Lowe in the near-side corner, and his thumping clearance almost goes out for a goal kick at the other end of the pitch!

25' Blackburn last beat Sheffield United in the FA Cup all the way back in January 1897! That penalty gives them a 1-0 lead, and should they eliminate the Blades, it would be the biggest gap - 126 years - between a team eliminating another in FA Cup history, beating the record of Derby against Barnsley (125 years and 343 days, 1897-2023).

23' Ben Brereton has now scored all eight penalties he's taken in all English football competitions, including two in the FA Cup.

B. Brereton

Penalty Goal

21' GOOOOAAALLL!!! First blood to Blackburn!!! Brereton-Diaz steps up from 12 yards and rifles the ball into the bottom corner!! Foderingham may just have got a hand to the ball, but there was no way he was stopping Blackburn from going 1-0 up there!

J. Robinson

Yellow Card

21' Robinson is booked for the handball, and shakes his head in disbelief as the card is raised.

20' PENALTY GIVEN!! The referee isn't at the pitchside monitor long before he points to the penalty spot, but it's certainly a harsh decision, particularly given Blackburn didn't even appeal for the penalty!

19' VAR is investigating a potential penalty for Blackburn, looking at handball against Robinson. Replays look as if the ball has hit his arm first, and this will most likely be given...

18' SUPERB SAVE!!! Morton squares from the byline towards an unmarked Gallagher in the box, whose first-time shot takes a deflection off Robinson and is then tipped just over the bar by a diving Foderingham!

16' The ball breaks for McAtee in midfield, who shoots from the edge of the box, but his left-footed effort hits the back of Travis and bounces behind for a corner!

14' CHANCE!!! A brilliant first touch and pass from Ndiaye puts Baldock into open pasture, and he cuts the ball back to Berge. He releases McAtee in the box, but his cut-back for McBurnie is intercepted and hacked clear!

13' These two sides met in their first league game following their FA Cup fifth-round victories, with Blackburn triumphing 1-0 at Ewood Park thanks to left-back Harry Pickering's early winner.

11' Ndiaye's turn and pass gives McBurnie space to cross from the right, but that space is quickly closed down by the visitors. He back-heels to Baldock on the overlap, whose cross is blocked away by Pickering!

9' SAVED!!! Ahmedhodzic's crunching tackle dispossess Gallagher and allows Doyle space to drive towards the box. He cuts onto his right foot and fires a low shot goalwards, but it's held by an unmoved Pears in the centre!

8' SAVED!!! First big chance of the game!! Egan strides out of defence and plays McAtee clean through with an excellent throughball. The midfielder bears down on goal and shoots across Pears, but the goalkeeper gets a big right hand to the ball and parries it away!

6' Lowe wins possession from McAtee in midfield and looks to play in Gallagher, but the striker is coming back from an offside position and the ball rolls through to Foderingham.

5' A poor Pears clearance is seized upon by Ndiaye, but Carter shepherds the ball behind for a Blackburn goal kick.

4' This is the first FA Cup meeting between Sheffield United and Blackburn Rovers since the 1992-93 quarter-final, when the Blades went through via penalties in a replay.

2' A heavy Foderingham touch almost allows Gallagher to steal in for Blackburn, but the goalkeeper skews the ball away and it bounces off the corner flag for a throw-in.

1' Szmodics dinks a ball through to Hedges, who lays it off to Brereton-Diaz, but he scuffs his early shot and the hosts regroup!

1' Gallagher kicks off for Blackburn amidst a raucous Sheffield atmosphere, and we're underway in South Yorkshire!

The teams head out onto the Bramall Lane pitch, and we're ready and raring to go ahead of kick-off!

Midfielders Tyrhys Dolan and Sammie Szmodics scored either side of half-time to defeat Leicester at the King Power, and Szmodics starts in an attacking front four that features centre-forward Sam Gallagher and Chilean international Ben Brereton-Diaz.

Iliman Ndiaye’s goal against Tottenham was followed up by another winner against Reading six days later, and the Senegalese striker partner Ollie McBurnie up front for the Blades.

BLACKBURN ROVERS SUBS: Thomas Kaminski, Callum Brittain, Tayo Edun, Tyrhys Dolan, Scott Wharton, Jake Garrett, Ashley Phillips, Adam Wharton, Harry Leonard.

BLACKBURN ROVERS (4-2-3-1): Aynsley Pears; Joe Rankin-Costello, Hayden Carter, Dominic Hyam, Harry Pickering; Lewis Travis, Tyler Morton; Ryan Hedges, Sammie Szmodics, Ben Brereton-Diaz; Sam Gallagher.

SHEFFIELD UNITED SUBS: Adam Davies, John Fleck, Chris Basham, Billy Sharp, Oliver Norwood, Ismaila Coulibaly, Jayden Bogle, Oliver Arblaster, Daniel Jebbison.

SHEFFIELD UNITED (3-5-2): Wes Foderingham; Anel Ahmedhodzic, John Egan, Jack Robinson; George Baldock, Sander Berge, Tommy Doyle, James McAtee, Max Lowe; Iliman Ndiaye, Oliver McBurnie.

Blackburn also triumphed over top-flight opposition in the last 16, defeating Leicester 2-1 at the King Power Stadium. In the Championship table, they’re just three places and nine points behind the Blades, and both clubs’ impressive seasons would be made even better by a trip to the Home of Football.

Iliman Ndiaye’s late winner saw the Blades defeat high-flying Premier League opponents Tottenham at Bramall Lane in the fifth round, and Paul Heckingbottom’s promotion-chasers face fellow Championship opposition with both just one game away from a Wembley semi-final.

Hello, and welcome to live coverage from this FA Cup quarter-final, as Championship sides Sheffield United and Blackburn Rovers compete for a place in the last four.

Sheffield United v Blackburn Rovers Live Commentary, 19/03/2023

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