Sheffield United into FA Cup semi-finals as Doyle’s late stunner sinks Blackburn

A hymn of limbs and lungs, a game of pure vibes and pure desire, an FA Cup quarter-final epic to stand the test of time. And at its very climax: a swing of a leg, a ripple of the Bramall Lane net, and a noise that will power Sheffield United all the way to Wembley. It was Tommy Doyle’s 25-yard goal in the first minute of injury time that proved the difference against a daring but distraught Blackburn Rovers, a club who were just 10 minutes away from their blessed moment of triumph.

The bare contours of this game offer just a fraction of the story. United started brightly. Blackburn went ahead against the run of play. United equalised fortuitously. Blackburn again went ahead against the run of play. United equalised through Oli McBurnie with nine minutes remaining. But the common thread running throughout was a full-blooded commitment, a four-sided assault on the senses, Yorkshire against Lancashire, a spectacle as gripping as a good film and as loud as a war.

The tackles were honest and bloodthirsty. The pace of the game barely let up, belying the ridiculous noon kick-off time and the exhausting efforts of both sides in midweek. For Blackburn there is still promotion to play for, the solace of a stirring performance from an improving team. Jon Dahl Tomasson is building something extremely exciting there, and but for the inside of a post and some brilliant saves from Wes Foderingham, Rovers could easily have been toasting their first trip to the new Wembley Stadium.

For United this was a lesson in patience and persistence, in trusting the ball and trusting each other. Even as Sammie Szmodics put Blackburn 2-1 up there was little sense of panic or urgency as they gradually fought their way back into the game. This is the