David Carney helped Sheffield United to cause an upset with the only goal at Bolton Wanderers.
Blades too sharp for Bolton
David Carney helped Sheffield United to cause an upset with the only goal at Bolton Wanderers.
Gary Megson left Nicolas Anelka out of his starting line-up for the FA Cup third round tie at the Reebook Stadium and Bolton lacked a cutting edge without the French striker.
The Blades, who are struggling for consistency in the Championship, matched Bolton for effort and grabbed the only goal just before half-time.
Stephen Quinn's superb through ball sliced open the home defence for Carney to finish coolly past Ali Al-Habsi.
Bolton offered little in response and Megson will now have to focus his side on the battle to stay in the Premier League.
Bolton had most of the possession in the first half and Daniel Braaten could have got a couple of goals.
He had his first chance after just five minutes only to head over the bar following a cross from El-Hadji Diouf.
Braaten again came close a minute later when his close-range effort was blocked after Stelios Giannakopoulos had headed back a cross from Diouf.
United were finding Braaten a bit of a handful at this stage and he tried a spectacular overhead kick in the 20th minute that came to nothing.
The home side swept forward in the 32nd minute and Diouf tried his luck from distance but failed to test goalkeeper Paddy Kenny.
Luton Shelton should have made the breakthrough for United after 35 minutes but headed over the bar after Lee Hendrie had flicked on a cross from Chris Armstrong.
Breakthrough
Carney then made the breakthrough with what turned out to be the winner on 42 minutes but the home side hit back and Danny Guthrie tested Kenny in the 51st minute and the goalkeeper spilled his effort.
However he recovered in time to prevent Giannakopoulos taking advantage in the six-yard area.
It was United who had the edge as they had grown in confidence thanks to Carney's goal.
Jon Stead almost added a second in the 75th minute but cleared the bar with his effort from a good position.
Bolton continued to huff and puff. However they failed to break down a United side, who always looked dangerous on the counter, and tumbled out of the competition at the first hurdle.
| Team Name |
Bolton Wanderers |
Sheffield United |
| Possession |
56% |
44% |
| Goals |
0 |
1 |
| Shots On Target |
3 |
1 |
| Shots Off Target |
5 |
4 |
| Blocked Shots |
6 |
1 |
| Corners |
5 |
4 |
| Fouls Conceded |
11 |
16 |
| Offsides |
4 |
6 |
| Yellow Cards |
3 |
2 |
| Red Cards |
0 |
0 |
|
