By Champagne Blade
October 20 2002

This was definitely one of our 'get out of jail free' cards today. In the first half, we didn't really seem interested. Allison missed an excellent opportunity to break the deadlock early on, but couldn't get his foot around the ball with just Kuipers to beat. Two headers conceded must be a concern for Neil, particularly as they were not a particularly big side. Half time must have seen the players receive a real rocket from Warnock and in the second half, there was only one team in it. Even at 2-0 down, you had the impression that Brighton were still not 100% comfortable.

From a free kick outside the area Brown was allowed time and space to approach the goal and calmly slotted into the goalkeepers far left hand bottom corner past a static defence. By this time Asaba had been introduced. The second was all Tonge, he dribbled towards goal, passing paper thin challenges only to be blocked by the goalkeeper, leaving Asaba with the simple task of netting from a yard or so. Fortunate as Asaba had previously been in an off side position during the build up.

From here, Brighton became despondent. Once again like many sides near the foot of the table, they were unfortunate. Asaba tried to dribble around Kuipers, the ball was going out, but his momentum made him collide with the goalkeeper's hands with the net result being a penalty - a surprising one to get as the away side. Although Kuipers dived low to his right, Asaba's shot was too powerful and too well directed. A few minutes later, the game was well and truly over. One of their defenders caught Allison with his foot, the big man, who had been a handful all day, went down and the ref did the rest. Asaba slotting home, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

A good result in the end, but a poor first half display which leaves room for improvement in coming weeks. This could well have been a defeat last year, so on a positive note, the way the team responded was very encouraging.

Players:

Kenny - not at fault with either goal. Kicked well, but had very little to do.

Yates - got a terrible roasting from their left winger and his lack of pace was badly exposed. Did ok when going to left back, but by that stage, the Blades were doing all the attcacking.

Ullathorne - Another solid game and was substituted as a precaution having taken a knock in the first half.

Page - Reasonably solid game from him, kep Zamora reasonably in check.

Murphy - Played ok, but not one of his better games.

Ndlovu - seems to be playing better this year, worked hard and had a few good runs.

McCall - Did simple things well, but not one of his man of the match performances.

Tonge - very quiet in the first half but came alive in the second - created the second goal.

Brown - non-existant in first half, but dominant in second. Lovely shot for goal number one. His form summed up United's afternoon.

Allison - my Man of the Match. Won everything in the air, missed a sitter, but was a constant threat all afternoon. Won the penaly for goal number 4.

Boulding - Benefit of the doubt would say he's not match fit, however, I must question whether he is any more effective than the other strikers we have. Perhaps some will prosper more now the chief is in the team.

Kozluck - Came on for Ullathorne as Yates switched to left back. His pace nullified the threat from their left wing. In hindsight Warnock should have played him instead of Yates from the start.

McGovern - Came on for McCall. Played ok and more importantly allowed Brown and Tonge to dominate in the middle, with Ndlovu switching to the left.

Asaba - Let's not get carried away. Hopefully it will be good for his confidence. Brighton were poor defensively at this stage. Proved he can take a good penaly and can be in the right place at the right time for a tap in, even won a few in the air, proving how bad Brighton were defensively. I'd still keep him on the bench vs Stoke, but hopefully will be a catalyst for his season.

So, we were a bit fortunate, but having put up with Mr Chris Foy, maybe we're even now.

Champers