Nigel Clough relishing opportunity of replay at Fulham

Nigel Clough has rubbished talk of an unwanted replay and says it’s fantastic to be in the draw for the Fifth Round of The FA Cup.

Speaking after his side drew 1-1 with Fulham at Bramall Lane, the Sheffield United manager said he is delighted with his team’s performance today.

And Clough was also pleased that the fans can go home and watch the draw with their Cup hopes still alive.

"Some people might think that we don’t want a replay – but that’s not the case," he said. 

"We're in the hat and it’s brilliant. All the supporters get to go home, watch the draw, look out for us and see who we could play if we can get through. It’s fantastic."

The Blades may have been in Sunday’s draw for the Fifth Round on their own, having led their Premier League guests for much of the lunchtime contest in South Yorkshire.

However, a late Hugo Rodallega equaliser cancelled out Chris Porter’s first-half goal. The Blades had also been reduced to ten men after referee Andre Marriner showed captain Michael Doyle a straight red card following an off-the-ball incident with Chris David.

Despite conceding the equaliser with 15 minutes still to play, Clough praised his side’s character and said the determination they showed echoed their performance in the Third Round victory at Fulham's Premier League counterparts Aston Villa.

"It was similar to the Villa game – you thought that once they got that goal they could have gone on to win it, but we held our own there and we did the same here today," he added. 

"You know that in the last four or five minutes you’re going to be under the cosh, but we dealt with it well.

"We’ve been down to Villa Park already this season and got a result and we’ve matched Fulham for long periods here today also, so we’re looking forward to it."

Meanwhile, Clough’s opposing manager Rene Meulensteen said he was disappointed his side could not finish the job once Sheffield United were down to ten men and Fulham had drawn level.

"I'm not happy. Looking at the second half, the way we were playing and then the red card you should be able to, as a Premier League team, put a game like this to bed - especially once we got the equaliser," he said.

Rene Meulensteen saw his Fulham side draw 1-1 at Bramall Lane

"I thought we lacked a little bit of quality to finish the game. If we had of got that second goal it would have been over. But you need to take your half-chances in games like this and we didn't do that.

"But in hindsight you could also say that in another way we are quite lucky to be in the draw as they could have hurt us on one of the breaks they had. 

"So all in all, in was a typical FA Cup game in that respect and we're happy we're still in it."

The two sides will now meet again at Craven Cottage on Tuesday 4 February.