Hulse: Blades can cut it in top flight

Striker Rob Hulse believes Sheffield United no longer need to fear anyone this season following their opening-day heroics. The 70th-minute penalty incident aside in Saturday's curtain-raising 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Bramall Lane, Hulse feels he and his team-mates answered their critics.

The Blades were among the pre-season favourites for an immediate return to the Coca-Cola Championship following promotion last term, but boss Neil Warnock’s side played with the necessary hunger and desire to succeed.