SHEFFIELD UNITED 3 CRYSTAL PALACE 1
Paul Peschisolido was the hero for the Blades after he fired two late goals to send United through to the semi-finals of the Worthington Cup for the first time in their history. The Canadian international came off the bench to net goals in the 86th and 88th minutes and Neil Warnock's side can now look forward to a money-spinning encounter against Premiership opposition.
The home side dominated for much of the first half and took a deserved lead in the 34th minute when Michael Tonge's corner was headed back across goal by Phil Jagielka and Carl Asaba reacted quickest to divert the ball past Alex Kolinko.
Injury-ravaged Palace came into the game much more in the second half, central defender Kit Symons saw his goal bound header rebound off a United defender and minutes later Robert Page had to stretch to clear under pressure from Andrew Johnson.
On the hour mark Asaba missed a glorious opportunity to put the tie beyond the visitors but he fired high and wide and shortly after Peter Ndlovu had an even better chance but his shot was deflected wide.
Then, nine minutes from time it time it looked as though Trevor Francis' men had forced the game into extra-time when Tommy Black's cross was inadvertently deflected into his own net by Page. However, Peschisolido, on for as a late replacement for Asaba, made an immediate impact. First, he headed the ball over Kolinko after good work from Ndlovu, then two minutes the diminutive striker sealed the victory for the Blades when he got on the end of a Wayne Allison header before flicking the ball into the net.
After the match Eagles boss Trevor Francis claimed that United's crucial second goal was offside and should not have counted. "I have not seen the replays but I have been told that it was clearly offside," said Francis. "But I am very proud of my guys tonight. They really went at Sheffield United. I think 3-1 was a bit harsh on us, 2-1 would have been a fairer reflection".
United boss Neil Warnock admitted that Peschisolido should probably not have played after a mystery virus had inflamed his ankles. "Paul's ankles had swelled up like balloons this morning and the doctor said he would prefer it if Paul did not play, but Paul wanted to so I put him on the bench.
"I am delighted that tonight was his night because he has put so much into this club and it is a bit worrying what is wrong with him."
Warnock added "Substitutions have gone well for me and I just felt that I had to be positive after they equalised because I could see my players had their hands on their hips after conceding that goal. But it's great for the club that we can now pit our wits against a Premiership club over two legs in the semi-finals."
WIGAN 0 BLACKBURN ROVERS 2
Andy Cole struck twice for the holders to keep Graeme Souness' men on track for consecutive trips to Cardiff. The former England international netted in the 16th and 80th minutes to see off a spirited second half fightback by the Second Division team.
Wigan were certainly not overawed by their illustrious opponents and could have taken the lead in the 11th minute when Peter Kennedy's free kick found Jason de Vos but he headed straight into the arms of Brad Friedel.
At the other end John Filan saved well from Lucas Neill and Gary Flitcroft before Cole broke the deadlock with a fine finish after a through ball from Tugay. Keith Gillespie could have put the game beyond Wigan five minutes after the break but shot wide after good work from Cole.
Substitute Gary Teale almost became a hero for the home side but his 65th minute thunderbolt from 25 yards was brilliantly kept out by Friedel. At this stage Wigan, playing in front of a club record crowd of 16,992, were on top and Friedel was forced to pull out all the stops to keep out further efforts from Neil Roberts and Tony Dinning.
It was all proving too much for Rovers' boss Souness who was banished to the stands in the 56th minute by referee Andy D'Urso following a heated touchline exchange with fourth official Matt Messias. But the visitors weathered the storm and ten minutes from time Cole raced clear to score at the second attempt after his first shot rebounded back to him off the unlucky Filan.
After the game Souness was in no mood to discuss the incident that led to him being sent to the stands "I don't want to talk about it and it's not important" he said.
Souness instead preferred to discuss the predatory instincts of Andy Cole. "Andy's finishing was excellent and I think it's only in the last three or four games that he has found his full match fitness".
Wigan manager Paul Jewell said that he was proud of his side despite their defeat. "I couldn't ask any more of my players. We played against world class players and our attitude was tremendous. They were a team packed with internationals and we pushed them right to the end and they needed two great strikes," he said.
