Lincoln City pulled off a huge shock to become the first lower-league side to knock out Premier League opposition in the EFL Cup this year, after winning on penalties against Sheffield United.
Danish keeper Lukas Jensen denied both Louie Marsh and Benie Traore from the spot before Sheffield United captain John Egan blazed high and wide to send the 3,000-strong away end into raptures as Mark Kennedy’s side booked their spot in the third round, where they will host West Ham.
‘It's nights like this is what me personally and the players, that's what you live for. That's what you get up for in the morning, win, lose or draw. That's why I come to work every day, when you look at 3,000 Lincoln fans behind that goal enjoying their first win here in 40 years against Sheffield United,’ said former Liverpool player Kennedy.
‘When I saw it went over the bar, I turned around and celebrated with all the fans. To see that many here is unbelievable,’ added Jensen. ‘I don't think you can describe it. You have to be in the moment. All the feelings and emotions came out. It's probably one of the best feelings in football.’
This was an opportunity for Sheffield United to kickstart their campaign. Three games and three defeats - albeit one despite a valiant performance against Man City - was never going to be an ideal start to the season for Paul Heckingbottom’s newly promoted side.
League One Lincoln City celebrate beating Sheffield United on penalties at Bramall Lane
Lincoln goalkeeper Lukas Jensen made two saves in shootout before John Egan blazed wide
Lincoln City (3-4-3): Jensen 8, Burroughs 7, Eyoma 7, Mitchell 7, Roughan 6 (Jackson 66, 6), Brown 6 (Sorensen 66, 6), Erhahon, Smith 6 (Hamilton 81, 5), Hackett-Fairchild 6 (Makama 80, 5), Mandroiu 6, House 5 (Bishop 45, 6)
Subs unused: Wright, Duffy, Gallagher
Bookings: Burroughs, Erhahon, Eyoma
Manager: Mark Kennedy
Sheffield United (3-5-2): Davies; Bogle 6 (Seriki 63, 5), Basham 6, Egan 6, Trusty 6, Larouci 6 (Buyabu 63, 6), Norwood 6, Coulibaly 5, Brooks 5 (Marsh 45, 5), McBurnie 5 (Traore 45, 6), Archer 5 (Osula 63, 6)
Subs unused: Foderingham, Ahmedhodzic, Slimane
Bookings: Coulibaly
Manager: Paul Heckingbottom
Referee: Paul Tierney 7
Attendance: 11,040
As it was, they were poor and were made to pay the price. Saturday’s clash here against struggling Everton suddenly feels like a must-win.
‘We’re hugely disappointed. It was a poor, flat performance. There’s no getting away from it,’ said Blades assistant manager, Stuart McCall. ‘If I’m honest, we were bored ourselves watching it. We’ve got to move on to a huge game on Saturday.’
‘I’d prefer wins rather than any pats on the back,’ were Heckingbottom’s notes in the match programme where he praised his side for their performance against the English and European champions. There was not much to be praised about this performance though against League One opposition.
The Blades manager made nine changes from the side that lost to an 88th-minute winner from Rodri, with Egan and Oliver Norwood keeping their places, as well as Cameron Archer making his Blades debut after his £18m move from Aston Villa.
Auston Trusty made his first start for the club, following his move from Arsenal while Oli McBurnie started alongside Archer for his first start of the season.
Yet such was the lack of quality in the first half that much of it was played out to chants of ‘Premier League, you’re having a laugh’ from the travelling support who made the 50-mile journey to South Yorkshire.
Kennedy’s youthful Imps side were not afraid to play as they carried on from what has been a bright start to their League One campaign, where they are fourth after five games.
The home side’s lacklusture first-half was summed up by Heckingbottom’s decision to remove both McBurnie and Andre Brooks at the break.
It took United until the 52nd minute to test Jensen in the Lincoln goal with Archer through on goal but his effort was straight at the keeper.
At the other end, Teddy Bishop was denied by Blades keeper Adam Davies after a Lincoln break and perhaps that was the signal for Heckingbottom to make further changes.
Cameron Archer made his debut for Sheffield United following his £18m move from Aston Villa
Lincoln were not fazed by facing Premier League opposition on Wednesday night
Just after the hour mark, he went for a triple-substitution, including removing Archer after a display where the striker constantly made runs but was arguably lacking the service he desired.
United came close to making the breakthrough in the latter stages as they peppered the Lincoln goal, with Egan heading wide from Norwood's free-kick when he really should have tested the keeper, before Will Osula was denied.
In added time, Trusty's header from Norwood’s corner was straight at Jensen and as Paul Tierney blew the final whistle after a goalless 90 minutes, it was met by an almighty roar from the away end.
Ten minutes later, those fans were in bedlam as Egan’s spot kick ended in their stands to seal a famous win for the Imps, who will now welcome the Hammers to the LNER stadium next month.
