December 26th: Leicester City v Sheffield United (Championship)
Yet again our football calendar has been subject to meddling from Sky TV, which means today's game is now a 6pm kick-off. I mean really, who the hell thought it'd be appropriate or convenient to kick off at 6pm?
Sheffield United are one of those sides I just cannot sympathise with. It only goes back as far as when Colin Wanker was their manager, but boy was he a cunt. It's not so deep a dislike now, but I still don't like seeing them win. Except against Coventry, obviously.
The early stages of the game give very little away, with both sides intent on going forward. City's defence looks a touch shaky to start with, but gets its act together before anything bad happens.
On 25 minutes, Michael Morrison - the central defender - shoots from at least 30 yards. The shot is tipped over the bar by Mark Bunn (subject of a very simple yet very offensive chant from the City fans earlier in the season - but he earned it). From the resulting corner, nobody seems particularly interested until the ball reaches Morrison's head, and by then it's too late for United - City lead 1-0.
Less than ten minutes later, Matty Fryatt trips over Nick Montgomery's foot as he dribbles across the United box. Darren Deadman immediately points to the spot. Fryatt goes bottom right corner, Bunn goes the wrong way. 2-0. Shortly before the break, Richie Wellens hits a half-volley from 25 yards, which rattles the bar.
At half time, it appears there's a young lady on the pitch. She's warbling, so it's fortunate I've got my iPod charged up.
The second half begins with the news that Jack Hobbs (not the cricketer) has been withdrawn. His replacement is Luke O'Neill, a teenage right-back. As the team lines up, it becomes clear that O'Neill, making his third senior appearance, is playing at left-back. Ryan McGivern, a left-back, has been moved to the centre. So now our back four is Robbie Neilson and three kids, two of whom are out of position. For United, Henri Camara is on for Andy Taylor.
60 seconds into the second half, Morrison momentarily joins Neilson in being asleep, allowing Camara to poke the ball under Chris Weale. Almost immediately after the changes, in other words, the advantage is halved.
As the second half goes on, both sides go on the offensive. As City go forward, Dyer is constantly in several square miles of empty space. As the Blades attack, O'Neill is repeatedly turned inside out at left-back. As it happens, though, neither side adds to their tally and City play out a solid 2-1 win.
Another note from today before I finish up: Cardiff got their game against Plymouth on after they miraculously managed to switch on their undersoil heating. And lost 1-0. Fucking good.
Final score: Leicester 2 Sheffield United 1
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