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Sheffield United vs Charlton Athletic. The FA Cup Fourth Round.

Bramall LaneAttendance15,957.

Blades scrape past Addicks

Image: Hendrie: Sealed win

Charlton's season went from bad to worse as Sheffield United dumped them out of the FA Cup.

Webber and Hendrie goals prove enough for Blades

Charlton's season went from bad to worse as Sheffield United dumped them out of the FA Cup. A Lee Hendrie second half strike booked United's place in the fifth round courtesy of a 2-1 win at Bramall Lane on Saturday. Hendrie's drilled effort in the 63rd minute was enough to clinch progression into the next round, although The Addicks pulled one back through substitute Chris Dickson six minutes later. Danny Webber set the ball rolling for United with a spectacular strike to give The Blades the upper hand over a hapless Charlton, who must now put their focus into staying in the Championship. For United, who have now beaten Charlton for the third time this season, Kevin Blackwell can now look forward to the draw. Visitors Charlton are currently stranded at the foot of the Championship table but the Addicks faithful were afforded some rare cheer as their team beat Norwich in the last round of the competition to record their first win in 20 games. And it was the Londoners who had the first real chance as Deon Burton headed over after goalkeeper Ian Bennett had fumbled Lloyd Sam's cross.

Welcome distraction

The FA Cup has been a welcome distraction for the Addicks this season and they appeared fired up to continue their run with Darren Ambrose powering into the area only to have his effort smothered by Bennett. United were enjoying the lion's share of possession but were guilty of profligacy in the 23rd minute as Billy Sharp's hopeful cross skidded across the six-yard box and bounced up awkwardly for Webber, whose improvised header failed to test Addicks keeper Elliot. But one minute later, Webber made amends with an outrageous strike from the left wing. Primed for a cross 30 yards out, Webber glanced up to see Elliot off his line before unleashing a ferocious effort which sailed into the top right-hand corner to make it 1-0. Webber could have doubled his tally for the day 10 minutes from the interval but snatched at his shot when Sharp's deflected cross fell into his path six yards out. Charlton boss Phil Parkinson brought on strike duo Dickson and Andy Gray to replace the ineffective Jonjo Shelvey and Deon Burton, but it was Blades substitute Hendrie who had the more telling impact as he netted his first goal for the club since August on the hour mark. The 56th-minute sub made it 2-0 when his free-kick from 25 yards took an unfortunate deflection off the Charlton wall to wrong-foot Elliot and double the home side's lead.
Slack defending
It should have been comfortable for the Blades from there but the visitors were soon back in the game when striker Dickson capitalised on some slack defending to make it 2-1. The home defence were guilty of a lack of communication as Matthew Kilgallon misjudged a straightforward long ball from Jonathan Fortune, allowing Dickson to steal in and loop the ball over the stranded Bennett. Dickson was the catalyst the Addicks had been desperately in need of but his acrobatic overhead kick skewed wide as the visitors pressed for a late equaliser in vain.
Team Name Sheffield United Charlton Athletic
Possession 47% 53%
Goals 2 1
Shots On Target 3 5
Shots Off Target 3 4
Blocked Shots 0 1
Corners 3 2
Fouls Conceded 18 16
Offsides 7 2
Yellow Cards 0 1
Red Cards 0 0

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