Heckingbottom’s delighted with his loan repayments
PEP GUARDIOLA would have been proud – Paul Heckingbottom was.
As Sheffield United took another huge step towards automatic promotion they once again had two of Manchester City’s finest young talents to thank.
Midfield maestros James Mcatee and Tommy Doyle are on season-long loans at Bramall Lane and their reputations have soared.
If the Blades do go up – and only a fool would bet against them now – the City academy products will have played a huge part.
The finish line is in sight but United were forced to overcome a sluggish first half which saw struggling Cardiff lead through Sory Kaba’s penalty.
But then Mcatee equalised and second-half goals from Jack Robinson, Iliman Ndiaye and Ciaran Clark had Blades fans singing about reaching the Premier League.
“Macca and Tommy have responded really to everything we have asked them to do,” said boss Heckingbottom.
“I know City think they have been successful loans and we think likewise, as do the players and their families.
“As much as we pat ourselves on the back in how we push them, it’s a lot to do with their personality and character as well.
“They have had tough moments when they’ve had to fight to get in the team and have had things not go their way.
“But they have been willing to put the work in on the grass, in the gym or in the classroom doing the
SHEFF UTD CARDIFF
Mcatee 24, Robinson 54, Ndiaye 80, Clark 85
Kaba 19 (pen) analysis about the games. That’s been a big part of helping them improve and become more established.
“We want to get promoted and we’ve put ourselves in a position where it’s just about us.”
Cardiff led in the 19th minute when Max Lowe’s high boot caught Jack Simpson and Kaba fired home from 12 yards past Adam Davies.
But five minutes later, 20-year-old Mcatee showed brilliant skill to create the space to rifle home a low shot past Ryan Allsop.
Nine minutes after the break, man-of-the-match Doyle delivered a dangerous cross which Robinson headed home.
At 2-1, Cardiff substitute Connor Wickham fired against the crossbar.
But Ndiaye pounced on an awful backpass from Mark Mcguinness to net from close range and substitute Clark bundled home following a corner.
Cardiff boss Sabri Lamouchi said: “It would be crazy to not feel pressure. We are all worried.”
SHEFFIELD UNITED: Davies 7; Baldock 6, Egan 6, Robinson 7; Bogle 6 (Clark (79) 7), Doyle 8 (Norwood (79) 6), Berge 6, Lowe 5; Mcatee 7 (Fleck (75) 6), Mcburnie 6 (Sharp (73) 6), Ndiaye 7 (Jebbison (79) 6) CARDIFF: Allsop 6; Mcguinness 5, Kipre 6, Simpson 6 (O’dowda (46) 6); Ng 6, Rinomhota 6, Wintle 6, Ralls 6; Philogene 7, Kaba 6, Etete 6 (Wickham (61) 6) STAR MAN: Tommy Doyle. The Manchester City loanee was a driving force in midfield.
David Webb 6