Sheffield United 3-2 Blackburn: Tommy Doyle sends Blades into FA Cup semi-final

Every once in a while things line up beautifully. A young man whose grandparents lifted the FA Cup with Manchester City in 1969 scored the winning goal in the last minute; progression to a semi-final provided Sheffield United with a real boost.

They needed it. Not just because of the Wembley romance and not just to continue the momentum they hope will take them back to the Premier League in May, but because of the mood and the bank balance. A cup run worth over £2m is not to be snubbed.

These are difficult times at Bramall Lane. They may not be heading to management, but finances are grim unless a takeover resolution can be reached, with Nigerian Dozy Mmobuosi waiting to complete the deal.

Doyle sent his team to the semi-finals with a brilliant goal in the 91st minute of the game.

The midfielder found the high angle when the game seemed headed for extra time

Blades players celebrate with Doyle after he produced a magical moment in the cup tie

This has been a horrible season off the pitch but a joyous one on it. Paul Heckingbottom and his team deserve immense credit for finishing second in the Championship and now in the final four for the FA Cup despite the current uncertainty over money.

All of that can be forgotten for a day, something made possible by Tommy Doyle, a young midfielder on loan from Manchester City. When the clock ticked past 90, he thought, why not? Twenty-five meters from the goal, a quick touch, and there he sails.

The moment continues a wonderful family story in competition, with grandpas Mike Doyle and Glyn Pardoe as part of that super-team from town in the 1960s. “Tommy is very grounded,” Heckingbottom said. He has been raised on soccer and knows what it takes to succeed. He has the right attitude and it comes from his family.

The goal came close to equalizing, although Jon Dahl Tomasson wanted the match stopped after Tyler Morton was caught in the eye. Out of breath from the first minute, and a winning team in the semifinals for the first time in eight years. Through the wringer, Heckingbottom and assistant Stuart McCall embraced as if they had won the whole thing full time. Jack Lester went dancing down the sideline. Bramall Lane remained as one, no one left. This is what adversity can do. is fuel

Blackburn Rovers, meanwhile, remain just one of six teams in the top four divisions yet to make it to the new Wembley. His last trip was in 1992 and Tomasson will wonder if going back to a five-man defense when up 2-1 in the last 10 minutes was the right thing to do. They feel that this marker should be reversed. “We should have been out of sight,” Tomasson said.

They were twice ahead, fell back, and then fell behind with no real time left. Rovers led after 21 minutes. Wes Foderingham thought he had completed the first of several good saves to hold this level when he deflected Sam Gallagher’s header over the crossbar. But, as Morton trotted to place a Blackburn corner, someone whispered in referee Tim Robinson’s ear.

Gallagher’s header had struck Jack Robinson’s arm, off his side as he spun. He would have done well to have him anywhere else, but handball law sucks. Ben Brereton-Diaz firmly scored the penalty and headed straight for the home fans around a corner, urging them on as he went.

The involvement of VAR and delays create a sense of frustration in whatever stadium it is installed in, but this one is particularly hostile, so when United equalized seven minutes later, the home fans felt some justice.

Max Lowe finished to hit a half-cleared corner, but his shot flew harmlessly wide, only for Gallagher to pull out a leg. Unbelievably, Blackburn’s No 9 deflected it into Aynsley Pears’ right corner. The Bramall Lane attendants roared with laughter as the own goal was replayed at half-time, while their jaws dropped when Jack Robinson, already holding a booking for the penalty, escaped further censure when he was penalized for launching late.

George Baldock celebrates after the final whistle ended the entertaining game.

At this point referee Robinson, who made his Premier League debut at Wolves earlier this month, had lost control. Anthony Taylor, also the fourth official at Manchester City on Saturday, was on the touchline with an earache. The afternoon, and the intensity of it, seemed to pile up on Robinson.

Heckingbottom’s side were up, though Foderingham excellently parried Dominic Hyam’s header before a double save from Harry Pickering and then Gallagher. United were guilty of playing too much, the attackers wanting to beat too many men or attempt loose extra passes instead of shooting. Starting to find threatening space, James McAtee blew a big opportunity when he latched on to a loose rear pass from Lewis Travis.

And when the time came, Rovers regained the lead thanks to heavy pressing in midfield. Lowe sold Doyle short and the visitors came on, Gallagher taking possession and sneaking through Sammie Szmodics, who did what McAtee couldn’t do moments before.

Betting, as soon as Heckingbottom pulled a defender back for a striker, Billy Sharp came on for Robinson, Rovers were hitting the post. Ryan Hedges drove inside and onto Foderingham’s near post, the effort twisting across the line without going over.

Tomasson’s changes were designed to preserve the lead. Lowe ran inside the box, taking aim at Oli McBurnie and from there, the sheer force of nature took over. McBurnie sliced ​​away from the defenders, broke free and, with his left foot, found the far corner on the turn with nine minutes remaining.

Go on time. Always still time. Doyle liked it, at 25 meters. He watched that top corner up and hit a rolling ball into Pears’ top corner. The goalkeeper’s fingers went with him.