Cardiff City 0-3 Sheffield UnitedSheffield United celebrated their 120th birthday with a stunning 3-0 victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Cardiff City.
The Blades travelled to South Wales anticipating a tough game with both sides hoping to cement their play off positions. Cardiff, who had a twelve-match unbeaten home record, went into the game knowing a victory would greatly increase their chances of automatic promotion.
The Blades meanwhile, who recently beat their club record of twelve games unbeaten away from home, wanted to emulate their last win at Ninian Park which saw them promoted to the Premiership in the 2005/06 season.
Cardiff were reduced to nine men in the first half with Gabor Gyepes going after 24 minutes for a foul on Darius Henderson in the penalty box, resulting in United going 1-0 up from a David Cotterill penalty. The second sending off came in the 33rd minute when Ross McCormack appeared to elbow Kyle Naughton.
Ninian Park is well known for its hostile atmosphere and the Cardiff fans certainly showed their anger towards the sending offs. The Blades scored their second goal at the beginning of the second half with Jamie Ward rising highest to head past Cardiff's goalkeeper Stuart Taylor from a Cotterill corner.
The Bluebirds pushed to try to get back in the game but United took advantage of the space and killed the game off by scoring late on. Stephen Quinn slid the ball under Taylor after a well timed through ball from Craig Beattie.
The travelling United fans were kept in the ground for half an hour after the final whistle to prevent any trouble with Cardiff fans outside the ground. This didn't seem to bother them as they celebrated a very important win.
The Blades were founded on 22nd March 1889 and to commemorate the special anniversary United have created a special third kit for the 2009/10 season. The shirt will be black and have every player's name that has played for Sheffield United woven into it.
Man of the match - David Cotterill; his first appearance at Ninian Park and definitely one to remember.
Louise Jade Gill, The Steel Bugle.
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