Queens Park Rangers 0-3 Sheffield United

  • Published
  • Campbell-Ryce scores twice

  • Blades' fifth Premier League cup scalp in two seasons

  • Only two QPR FA Cup wins since 2001

QPR's dismal run in the FA Cup continued as they were beaten at home by League One side Sheffield United.

It means the Premier League side have now won only two FA Cup matches in the last 14 seasons and have suffered 46 third-round losses out of 70 ties.

Blades top scorer Marc McNulty scored the opener when he finished off a swift counter-attack from close range.

Jamal Campbell-Ryce then twice capitalised on QPR defensive errors to complete a memorable win in London.

QPR's best effort of the match fell to substitute Bobby Zamora, whose header from 10 yards flashed wide of Mark Howard's right-hand post.

The United keeper was also forced to make a good early save to prevent Leroy Fer's fierce near-post strike from bursting the roof of the net, while the Dutch midfielder also had a header cleared off the line in the second half.

Harry Redknapp did make seven changes to the QPR starting line-up, but it still contained top goalscorer Charlie Austin, Fer and a central defensive pairing of Steven Caulker and Rio Ferdinand.

Where they lost the battle was in midfield, where they could not cope with the pace of Campbell-Ryce on the wing or match the industry shown by Louis Reed and Michael Doyle.

It was Reed who set up the first goal when he charged forward and fed a carefully-weighted pass to McNulty, who beat onrushing goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.

United, who beat West Ham and Southampton en route to the Capital One Cup last four this season, then added a second soon after the restart.

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This time it came from Reed's corner, which was inadvertently pushed into the path of Campbell-Ryce, who had a simple finish.

Aside from the headers from Fer and Zamora, QPR created little else to trouble the Blades backline. And it was the Blades, through the effervescent Campbell-Ryce, who had the final say when he pounced on a poor defensive header from Fer before slotting in.

Manager Nigel Clough will no doubt be hoping this latest cup shock win will kickstart the Blades' season in League One, where they are winless in six matches.

Blades are up for the cups

Sheffield United have won 12 and lost just two of their last 16 FA Cup matches.

The Blades are already in the semi-finals of this season's League Cup, and reached the last four of the FA Cup last season.

The League One side have beaten five Premier League teams (Aston Villa, Fulham, West Ham, Southampton, QPR) in cup competitions in the past two seasons.

Nigel Clough's team have claimed seven higher-league scalps across the FA Cup and League Cup in 2014.

Sheffield United first-team coach Chris Morgan, referring to their achievement in also reaching the League Cup semi-finals:

"Everybody in the semi-final draw would have wanted to play us.

"The Premier League clubs would want to avoid each other, it's just the nature of the beast.

"But I don't think people will take us lightly, because of the results we've had. In the last calendar year we've beaten five Premier League clubs."

On the win, he added:

"We were confident but when you come away to Premier League sides you've got to work hard and get the blocks in like we did.

"We know we can come and compete with top teams. It's great to have a run in the cup - great for supporters and for the revenue of the club."

QPR manager Harry Redknapp:

"They looked sharper than us all over the pitch.

"They were brighter and better than us and looked like a team that had 10 days without playing a game - we were playing our fourth and looked lethargic. We looked sluggish today.

"They thoroughly deserved their win. They played well and you've got to give them the credit."

Image source, PA
Image caption,

Marc McNulty was a constant threat and opened the scoring just before half-time

Image source, PA
Image caption,

Jamal Campbell-Ryce struck twice for the Blades

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

QPR's Bobby Zamora had a good chance for QPR when he came on in the second half

Image source, PA
Image caption,

United held on comfortably for another big cup win

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