Notebook – Sheffield United vs Spurs

Our 2022/23 FA Cup journey continues this evening as we travel to Sheffield United in the fifth round of the competition (kick-off 7.55pm UK).

Here’s all the game’s key points of note…

1 – Historic first meeting

Given both clubs are woven in the competition’s history as multiple winners, it’s fitting that our first meeting came in an FA Cup final. Back in 1901, despite being a non-league side at the time, we lifted the famous trophy for the first time with 3-1 triumph over Sheffield United at Burnden Park, Bolton. To date, we remain the only non-league side to have ever tasted glory in the competition.

2 – A long time coming

Since that first meeting 122 years ago, we have only been involved in two other FA Cup ties with Sheffield United. The most recent fixture came over 65 years ago as in 1958 we, led by Bill Nicholson, succumbed to a 3-0 fourth-round loss in our legendary manager’s first season at the helm. Nicholson, of course, would go on to be our Club’s most successful manager and lift three FA Cup trophies.

3 – Our last cup meeting

Our last cup meeting came in the 2014/15 League Cup semi-final - and it delivered a classic. It was a narrative that cup competitions thrive on as we took on the then League One outfit over two legs in January, 2015. If our 1-0 first leg victory at White Hart Lane was routine, the away leg at Brammall Lane was anything but. After Christian Eriksen’s superb free-kick doubled our aggregate advantage 28 minutes in, a quickfire Che Adams brace levelled proceedings with just over 10 minutes to go before Eriksen scored a last-gasp winner two minutes from time to send us through to the final.

Highlights - Sheffield United 2-2 Spurs | January, 2015

4 – Journey to round five

After edging League One Portsmouth 1-0 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the third round, we travelled to Deepdale to face second tier Preston North End where a Heung-Min Son brace and an Arnaut Danjuma debut goal fired us into the fifth round.

Sheffield United's journey, meanwhile, saw them cruise past fellow Championship side Millwall in round three before a far-from-straightforward encounter with non-league Wrexham in the fourth round. The Blades were seconds away from a shock exit at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground until John Egan made it 3-3 in the the fifth minute of stoppage time to earn them a home replay. It was much the same at Bramall Lane with two goals from Billy Sharp and Sander Berge coming deep into injury time to send them through with a 3-1 win.

Highlights - Preston 0-3 Spurs | January, 2023

5 - Our fifth-round record

Across our campaigns to date in the FA Cup, we have relatively enjoyed our fifth round ties. With this season being the 49th time we have made it to round five, we have progressed on 28 occasions (58 per cent). When facing lower league opposition at this stage of the tournament, only once in the last 57 years have we failed to progress, however that sole occasion did come last season as we fell 1-0 to Championship side Middlesbrough on Teesside.

6 - A frustrating recent run

Despite our relative success when it comes to the FA Cup fifth round across our history, this stage has proven a stumbling block for us in recent seasons. In each of our previous three campaigns in the competition, we have been knocked out at this stage with defeats against, as aforementioned, Middlesbrough (0-1) in 2021/22, Everton (4-5) in 2020/21 and Norwich City (1-1 – lost 2-3 on penalties) in 2019/20. It’s been five years since we advanced past round five with a home replay win against League One Rochdale.

Highlights - Spurs 6-1 Rochdale | February, 2018

7 – The Blades’ form

Sheffield United might currently sit second in the Championship, seven points clear of third-placed Middlesbrough, but mixed league form in February has seen them pick up only seven points out of 15 available.

Despite that, Paul Heckingbottom’s side are still well-placed to return to the Premier League after two seasons in the second tier and have top-flight experience in John Egan, Oliver Norwood, Ciaran Clark, Sander Berge and Oli McBurnie in their ranks. Scotland international McBurnie has been a standout player this season, with 12 goals in all competitions and, in his last appearance against us, he scored as well as being named the player of the match in a 3-1 Premier League defeat for us back in July, 2020.

8 – Sheffield United hit by illness

Heckingbottom has admitted he faces a selection dilemma after an illness has swept through the Sheffield United camp on the eve of our FA Cup clash. The Blades manager didn’t give too much away ahead of naming his squad but did confirm defender Clark is ill and missed training.