Gareth Southgate took his Middlesbrough side to Bramall Lane. Boro started brightly and could have scored but for Lee Catermole’s indecisiveness, they went a goal down when Rob Hulse stroked the ball past Mark Schwarzer.

Southgate’s half time pep talk appeared to have worked, a Pogatetz through ball was pounced on by Yakubu who advanced and put the ball in to Paddy Kenny’s goal. The Ireland keeper will be hoping he can keep a clean sheet in the up coming Euro 2008 qualifiers where he will deputise in the absence of Shay Given who is still out injured.

Both sides looked to have settled for a point, that was until a Gerrard-esque strike form Blades captain Phil Jagielka. Jagielka cushioned a last minute headed clearance on his chest and then as the ball bounced he struck it from thirty yards past an unexpecting Schwarzer, to secure Sheffield United’s first Premiership victory for over ten years.