What the Press made of the EFL Cup Extra Time Victory
The Chronicle
Steve Davis paid tribute to his players after they battled back from behind to pull off a cup shock in extra time at Sheffield United on Tuesday.
Crewe fell behind to Leon Clarke’s early goal at Bramall Lane, and they had to fight hard to stop the Blades running away with the EFL Cup round one tie.
But they grew into the game and substitute Ryan Lowe proved to be the hero. The striker came off the bench to grab a dramatic 90th minute equaliser and then bagged the winner in the 100th minute.
Manager Davis said: “It was a real team performance to achieve that.
“But I’m delighted for everyone that we managed to win the game. To come here, it’s a great stadium and I’m very proud of them all."
The Sentinel
CREWE Alexandra booked themselves a place in round two of the EFL Cup thanks to a terrific all-round performance at Bramall Lane.
Ryan Lowe scored an injury-time goal to send it to extra-time, before grabbing the winner in the 100th minute to cue jubilant scenes at the final whistle as the Alex made it in to round.
It was a spirted performance, full of both industry and skill, from all of the 14 players who made it out on the pitch, as they deservedly picked up only a second ever win at Sheffield United.
They manfully defended the lead in extra-time, with Chris Dagnall ending up at right-back, to earn only a third win in 14 cup ties since winning the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in 2013.
The Sheffield Star
Having conspired to create and miss so many chances, there was an air of inevitability about Sheffield United’s exit from the EFL Cup last night.
Chris Wilder’s first competitive fixture at Bramall Lane since being appointed manager three months ago ended in a painful and wholly avoidable defeat as Crewe Alexandra produced a dramatic comeback to reach the next round.
Two goals from Ryan Lowe, the second in the first-period of extra time, ended United’s hopes of a long run in the competition and left them still searching for their first win of the new campaign.
The knowledge that, for the second time in the space of a week his team had been the architects of their own downfall, will not have helped Wilder’s mood.
United, beaten by Bolton Wanderers on the opening day of the new season, looked to be on course for a comfortable victory when Leon Clarke broke the deadlock early on. But, just as it had against Phil Parkinson’s side, their lack of attention to detail in the final third left the door ajar.