WATFORD survived a serious second-half examination after fighting back to take the lead thanks to an upbeat Heidar Helguson. The Hornets, a goal down, then forged ahead but did well to survive with their lead intact for the remainder of the game.

Once again the Hornets were involved in a match in which a player was sent off because United were reduced to 10 men after 34 minutes.

There was no more classic illustration of Watford's shortage of defenders that the line-up at Bramall Lane. With Sean Dyche out with a groin injury, Watford drafted in Marcus Gayle to play as a central defender at the heart of a 4-2-4 formation, for the first time.

Gavin Mahon, who has been out since April following a knee-ligament injury ( ironically against Sheffield United), was elevated to the substitute's bench on the strength of a brief reserve-team outing, along with Richard Johnson and Jerel Ifil, while Stephen Glass constituted the only attacking/midfield option in the absence of another groin-injury victim, Tommy Smith.

As Ray Lewington has remarked, if Watford pick up injuries to the central defenders or strikers, they are short on the ground for cover.

Chamberlain was the first keeper in action when he dived to his left to take an enterprising shot from Ndlovu following a break down the right.

It was from the same flank that Watford were undone after nine minutes. Ndlovu produced a driven cross which former Hornet Wayne Allison stretched to meet and clip into the net off the far post from six yards out. It was his third goal in three games.

Chamberlain did well to read a deflected shot from Tonge following a sustained United attack but then Watford created a clear opening thanks to a great ball from Ardley, which Helguson ran onto, but his slightly angled shot was was blocked by the keeper.

Webber attempted a long-range effort, which had the keeper diving as the ball was powered just wide. Then Nielsen fired adrift as he clipped a dropping ball beyond the keeper.

Watford were making progress at this stage and there was a close call for United as Robinson headed goalwards to an Ardley corner but the attempt was blocked.

Watford broke back on terms after Webber had fed Hyde, who then held off an opponent in midfield and broke forward. He then slipped the ball into the path of Helguson who powered into the box only to be fouled by Jagielka.

The referee pointed to the spot and showed the United defender the red card before Cox stepped up to blast the corner low to the keeper's left after 34 minutes.

United made a substitution but, before their defence had time to reorganise and settle, Robinson broke down the left in the 36th minute and squared a low drive across the face of the goal for Helguson to nip in and turn the ball past the keeper from inside the six-yard box.

Then, Nielsen appeared to be bundled over when going for a return pass in the United box but the referee would not entertain a second penalty.

United created a great chance of equalising, thanks largely to a ricochet, as two defenders went for the same ball, which found Allison wide of the far post. His low drive beat Chamberlain but it passed the other upright.

Back came the Hornets with Helguson, bidding for a first-half hat-trick, put through by Hyde and then seeing his stabbed shot blocked by the keeper who also managed to shovel his way to a save as the Icelandic international retrieved the ball for a second attempt.

Half-time came with Watford probably wishing they could play on, such was their superiority, but United reorganised during the interval.

Both sides went close early in the second half. Webber was just inches from converting a low Helguson pass across the box and, when Ndlovu broke wide, he sent an angled-attempt across the face of goal without troubling Chamberlain.

Brown was fortunate when he struck Doyley in the face without being spotted by the officials as the hour -mark approached.

United were enjoying the better of the play at this stage and they should have equalised when Tonge's shot was blocked by Chamberlain and on-loan substitute Boulding lifted the rebound high and wide when it looked simpler to score.

Ndlovu went close again while Watford failed to make the most of their attacks, often seeing their final pass misplaced.

Murphy headed over under pressure from Chamberlain, beating the keeper to the ball, as Watford experienced another close call. The momentum was certainly with United as the Hornets conceded an amazingly high tally of 18 free kicks and nine corners in the second half.

Sheffield United:

Kenny; Kozluk, Jaielka, Murphy, ; McGovern, McCall, Brown, Tonge; Ndlovu, Allison. Substitutes: Montgomery for Kozluk after 20 mins; Page for McGovern after 35 mins; Boulding for McCall after 45 mins; Heuvel and Smith not used.

Watford:

Chamberlain; Doyley, Cox, Gayle, Robinson; Ardley, Hyde, Hand, Nielsen; Helguson, Smith. Substitutes: Glass for Nielsen after 83 mins; Johnson for Webber after 87 mins; Mahon, Ifil and Lee not used.

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside).

Bookings: Jagielka sent off (34); Murphy for foul on Helguson (49); Robinson for a foul on Tonge (55); Hand for a foul on Nvlovu (64); Hyde for a foul on Brown (81); Hyde for a foul on Tonge (87) - sent off for second booking.

Attendance: 16,301.

September 30, 2002 10:30