Sheffield United look for the welcome distraction of a cup run amidst league disappointment

Credit: Sheffield United FC

After a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur, the Blades will look to continue their run in the FA Cup as they face League One side, Plymouth Argyle, at Bramall Lane.

Sheffield United will hope an FA Cup run will provide a platform for wins away from their miserable season in the Premier League.

The Yorkshire club made it through round three after a 3-2 victory over League One side, Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium.

Joe Day’s own goal saw Chris Wilder’s men take the lead after only six minutes with Alfie Kilgour scoring for Rovers to get the tie back on track for the home side.

In the second-half, the fans watching at home were in for a spectacle after three goals were scored in quick succession between the 59th and the 63rd minute of the game.

Oliver Burke restored the lead for United in the 59th minute as the side two divisions above Bristol Rovers looked to run away with the match.

That wasn’t meant to be as Max Ehmer scored three minutes later to equalise for the League One side.

Jayden Bogle would get on the scoresheet a minute after Ehmer’s goal and once more put the Blades in front with that being the goal that ultimately sunk the Pirates with Sheffield United progressing to the fourth round.

Chris Wilder’s men were able to march on from that match to earn their first Premier League victory against Newcastle with Billy Sharp’s penalty earning his side the three points at Bramall Lane.

They were put straight back down to earth as Tottenham travelled to Yorkshire last Sunday afternoon and put together a simply fantastic performance to sweep past the bottom side of the Premier League.

First-half goals from Serge Aurier and Harry Kane saw Spurs on their way to another three points in the league. The home side did come out fighting in the second-half and were able to half the deficit in the 59th minute through David McGoldrick.

The away side scored their third with a goal of the season contender through Tanguy Ndombele. The Frenchman received a scooped pass from Steven Bergwijn and then decided to chip Aaron Ramsdale who was slightly off the line and saw the ball go into the back of the net.

Their opponents this weekend, Plymouth Argyle, will not allow the Blades to have an easy tie and will want to progress themselves in the cup after starting out in round one.

In the first round, Ryan Lowe’s men travelled to the Valley to face Charlton Athletic. Luke Jephcott’s hour mark goal secured Argyle the win and the progression to the second round.

The second round saw a home tie for the League One side as they hosted fellow League One side Lincoln City who were looking to make third round after their 6-2 victory against Forest Green Rovers in the first round.

Plymouth got off to a fantastic start after their star striker Jephcott netted after six minutes to get the home side ahead. Ben Reeves doubled the lead in the 55th minute to see his side through to round three.

In the next round, a trip to the John Smith’s Stadium was in store for Argyle as they faced Championship side Huddersfield Town.

Romoney Crichlow got the home side ahead after only four minutes as they looked to dominate the travelling League One side.

Ryan Hardie equalised for Plymouth in the 24th minute with Aaron Rowe putting the Terriers back into the lead in the 32nd minute.

Panutche Camara equalised for Argyle once more with three minutes left in the first-half as the fans watching at home were treated to a goal-fest in the first 45 minutes.

Joe Edwards completed the comeback for Lowe’s men as they made it past Huddersfield Town with a 3-2 victory and set up a very interesting fourth round tie with Sheffield United.

34 places separate the two sides in the footballing pyramid but Argyle will not be scared of facing Premier League opposition at this stage of the cup and will give it their best shot to make it into the next round.

Sheffield United need to make this cup run count as they look to put some sort of smiles on Blades fans faces and making it to the fifth round of the FA Cup to face either Bristol City or Millwall gives the Yorkshire side a glimmer of hope to go deep into the competition.

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