Tommy Doyle scored a last-minute winner to help Sheffield United produce one of the high-scoring football results of the weekend in the FA Cup. The Manchester City loanee has seen video of his paternal grandfather Mike Doyle and maternal grandfather Glyn Pardoe playing for City at the national stadium in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and he will now join them after his 25-yard thunderbolt earned a dramatic 3-2 quarter-final win at Bramall Lane. His goal completed a late comeback for United, who had trailed to goals from Ben Brereton Diaz and Sam Szmodics, which came to each side of Sam Gallagher’s own goal, until the final 10 minutes. In the 81st minute, Oli McBurnie equalized before Doyle’s heroics secured the Blades’ first FA Cup semi-final appearance since 2014.
It was disappointing for Blackburn, who have yet to play at the new Wembley, but they will now devote their whole attention to their Championship promotion campaign. Paul Heckingbottom’s second-placed side is in an even stronger position in the league, and the manager stated in the run-up to the game that this may be one of the most important weeks in the club’s history. They took the lead early on and had a great chance to score in the eighth minute. James McAtee ran on to John Egan’s defense-splitting ball, but his effort was superbly stopped by Rovers goalkeeper Aynsley Pears.
However, it was Blackburn who seized the lead in the 21st minute after being granted a penalty following a VAR assessment. Gallagher’s shot struck the outstretched arm of Jack Robinson, and referee Tim Robinson gave the spot-kick after consulting the pitchside monitor. Brereton Diaz scored his 14th goal of the season from 12 yards out. The Blades responded quickly, leveling six minutes later. A cleared corner dropped to Max Lowe 25 yards out, and his ferocious effort was heading wide until it collided with Gallagher’s knee and was deflected into the far corner, leaving Pears powerless. The second half began end-to-end, with both teams having chances to score. After that, it was one-way traffic, and Doyle completed the turnaround in fine style in the opening minute of injury time, firing home a thundering effort that Pears couldn’t keep out.
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