HAMMERS and Sheffield United will need a replay to decide who
will progress to the Fifth Round of the FA Cup, after the
team's fought-out a 1-1 draw at Upton Park.
Marlon Harewood's delightful volley gave West Ham United a 1-0
half-time lead, but Phil Jagielka's second-half equaliser
ensured there would be no winner on a wet and windy afternoon in
East London.
Alan Pardew made four changes to the side that lost against Derby
County. Stephen Bywater was recalled in goal in place of Jimmy
Walker, Mark Noble stepped in for the injured Gavin Williams and
fit again Anton Ferdinand and Teddy Sheringham returned to replace
Nigel Reo-Coker and Sergei Rebrov respectively.
Neil Warnock made just one change to his Sheffield United side that
won 2-0 at the Boleyn Ground at the start of January, Nick
Montgomery replacing the suspended Alan Quinn.
The game began with a cup-tie atmosphere crackling around Upton
Park, and Alan Pardew's men didn't take long to register
their first effort on goal, Marlon Harewood dragging his shot wide
from the edge of the area.
Five minutes later Harewood chested Tomas Repka's cross into
the path of Hayden Mullins who drilled his shot low, but wide of
Paddy Kenny's right-hand post.
It was all West Ham, and on 14 minutes Harewood tested Kenny for
the first time with a stinging drive that the Blades 'keeper
beat away.
Mark Noble's surging run from midfield earned Hammers a
free-kick on the edge of the area, but Teddy Sheringham's
effort was repelled by the Blades' luminous orange defensive
wall.
At the other end, Sheffield United's first noteworthy effort
owed more to the optimism of Andy Gray than any real endeavour, as
his volleyed effort dribbled harmlessly wide.
The visitors' next attempt was for more genuine, Michael
Tonge's curling 25-yard effort grazing Bywater's post,
before Harewood reminded the Blades of his threat with a powerful
header from Noble's corner that flew just wide.
Neil Warnock's side came to disrupt the flow of the game, and
succeeded in sparking a series of petulant scuffles that referee
Dermot Gallagher quickly dispersed.
The Hammers refused to be rattled, though, and took a well-deserved
lead six minutes from half-time. Teddy Sheringham provided the
classy touch needed to release Harewood, and the striker bustled
his way through to lob Kenny with an exquisite volley.
Unable to match West Ham's determination, Sheffield United
looked rattled and could do nothing but soak up Hammers pressure
until half-time.
HT: 1-0
Dominant during the first-half, Hammers needed more of the same
after the break.
For the first 10 minutes Alan Pardew's men looked comfortable,
until Phil Jagielka's header on 57 minutes hauled the Blades
level. Andy Liddell crossed from the right for Jagielka to head
down. Bywater got down to the ball, but despite clawing it back
from the goal-line there was to be no Man United style escape as
the linesman on the far side ruled that the ball had crossed the
line.
Sheringham powered a header just wide, but at 1-1 the game was as
even as the scoreline suggested.
There was plenty of cup-tie gusto to the second-half, but resolute
defending from both sides was keeping the chances to a minimum.
Pards brought on Nigel Reo-Coker for Luke Chadwick after 76
minutes, as West Ham pushed forward in search of a place in the
Fifth Round. In response, the Blades introduced Jonathan Forte for
Andy Liddell in attack.
Hammers established a thread of dominance in the last 10 minutes
and Sergei Rebrov came on for Hayden Mullins six minutes from time
to try and make the pressure count.
With the minutes ticking away Rebrov headed straight into the
grateful arms of Kenny from Repka's cross, but that was the
closest Upton Park came to seeing a result.
The Fourth official called for three minutes of time to be added,
but still neither side could fashion a opening as this FA Cup
Fourth Round clash ended 1-1 and will now need a replay at Bramell
Lane to decide who will progress to the Fifth Round.