4 godzin temu
Mansfield Town pulled off a stunning FA Cup upset on Sunday, defeating Championship side Sheffield United 4-3 at Bramall Lane. The League One side ended United's cup journey at the first hurdle despite a late fightback from the hosts.
Manager Nigel Clough orchestrated another giant-killing moment at the ground where he once led similar upsets.
Louis Reed scored twice for the visitors, with Lucas Akins and Rhys Oates also finding the net. Mansfield built a commanding 4-1 lead before Sheffield United's late fightback.
Sheffield United fought back through Deji Oshilaja's own goal and strikes from Gus Hamer and Patrick Bamford, who had signed an 18-month deal before kick-off. But the comeback fell short as 5,000 traveling Mansfield fans celebrated a memorable third-round victory.
Clough's FA Cup history
This was not Clough's first giant-killing act at Bramall Lane. During the 2013/14 season as Sheffield United manager, his League One Blades beat Nottingham Forest and Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup.
That run included a draw and away replay win against Premier League side Fulham before reaching the semi-final at Wembley. They eventually lost 5-3 to Hull City in that last-four clash.
United's costly rotation
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder made ten changes to his starting XI for the tie.
The heavily rotated side fell 2-1 behind after Reed's second goal deflected off captain Oliver Arblaster in the 44th minute.
Akins extended Mansfield's lead to 4-1 12 minutes into the second half. Andre Brooks' cross led to Oshilaja's own goal 15 minutes after Mansfield's third goal, but United could not complete the turnaround.
The defeat means Sheffield United can now concentrate solely on mounting a late push for the Championship play-offs.
Player ratings from the match told a sorry story, with most United players receiving fours and fives out of ten for their performances.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
