Late Webber strike earns Blades vital victory

DANNY WEBBER returned to Watford and scored a vital goal against his former club to hand Sheffield United their second away win of the season.

Webber’s close-range header in the 87th minute — 13 minutes after he had come on as a substitute — could prove crucial later in the season as United and Watford fight desperately for survival in the Premiership.

The result was no more than United deserved, with Christian Nade and Rob Hulse both hitting the post.

The Hornets misery was complete in stoppage time when Chris Powell was sent off for a second bookable offence.

United made two changes, Nade — making his first top-flight start — and Chris Morgan chosen in place of Nick Montgomery and Nicky Law.

Nade looked lively for the visitors early on but it was Aidy Boothroyd’s team who had the first good chance after eight minutes.

Tommy Smith was given room to turn and hit a rising shot from 22 yards that Paddy Kenny tipped over, though a goal-kick was given.

In the 22nd minute Watford came even closer when Kenny spilled Darius Henderson’s close-range shot and he was grateful that Chris Morgan was there to scramble the ball behind.

France Under-21 international Nade came even closer for the Blades in the 51st minute.

He eluded his marker Jay DeMerit to meet Derek Geary’s right-wing cross with his head, but United were dismayed to see the ball bounce back off the right post with Lee beaten.

United were frustrated in the 62nd minute when Jagielka sent Gillespie clear to cross for Nade, who could only sky the ball way over the crossbar from eight yards.

In the 76th minute, United were again denied by the post, Hulse shooting against it from three yards via a deflection off DeMerit following Mikele Leigertwood’s cut-back.

Three minutes from full-time the deadlock was broken when Morgan’s header was pushed onto the crossbar by Lee, and Webber nodded in the rebound from two yards.

To add insult to injury for Watford, Powell was sent off in stoppage time for a foul on Hulse.

WATFORD: Lee, Chambers, Mackay, DeMerit, Powell, Spring (Doyley 46), Francis, Mahon, McNamee (Shittu 72), Smith, Henderson.

SHEFF UTD: Kenny, Kozluk, Morgan, Davis (Bromby 30), Geary, Gillespie, Leigertwood, Jagielka, Alan Quinn (Kazim-Richards 83), Hulse, Nade (Webber 73). REFEREE: M Atkinson.