2003 Football League First Division play-off Final

Sheffield United Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 3
Date	26 May 2003
Venue	Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Referee	Steve Bennett
Attendance	69,473
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The 2003 Football League First Division playoff final was contested by Sheffield United and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wolves won the match 3-0, with three first-half goals, taking them back to the top flight for the first time in 19 years.

Mark Kennedy opened the scoring in the 6th minute with a low drive into the corner of the net from 20 yards. Their lead was doubled 16 minutes later when Nathan Blake headed in from close range at a corner. A three-goal lead was established moments before the half time interval when Kenny Miller converted after a quick counter attack.

Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock was sent to the stands at half time after arguing with referee Steve Bennett. He saw his side offered a route back into the contest when they were awarded a penalty in the 48th minute after Wolves' defender Paul Butler was adjusted to have handled. However, Michael Brown's spotkick was pushed away by goalkeeper Matt Murray.

[edit] Match details

2003-05-26 15:00 BST	Sheffield United	0 – 3	Wolverhampton Wanderers	Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 69,473 Referee: Steve Bennett
		(Report)	Kennedy  6' Blake  22' Miller  45'

Sheffield United

Wolverhampton Wanderers

SHEFFIELD UNITED: GK 23 Paddy Kenny LB 2 Robert Kozluk CB 6 Robert Page (c) CB 17 Phil Jagielka RB 36 John Curtis LM 18 Michael Tonge CM 7 Michael Brown CM 26 Mark Rankine 45' RM 16 Peter Ndlovu 64' FW 9 Carl Asaba FW 34 Steve Kabba 74' Substitutes: GK 24 Gary Kelly MF 8 Stuart McCall 45' MF 12 Nick Montgomery FW 10 Paul Peschisolido 64' FW 14 Wayne Allison 74' Manager: Neil Warnock

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS: GK 13 Matt Murray LB 3 Lee Naylor CB 5 Joleon Lescott CB 6 Paul Butler RB 8 Denis Irwin LM 11 Mark Kennedy CM 10 Colin Cameron CM 23 Paul Ince (c) RM 7 Shaun Newton FW 16 Kenny Miller 75' FW 9 Nathan Blake 88' Substitutes: GK 1 Michael Oakes DF 24 Marc Edworthy MF 4 Alex Rae FW 12 Adam Proudlock 88' FW 29 Dean Sturridge 75' Manager: Dave Jones

MATCH RULES 90 minutes. 30 minutes of extra-time if necessary. Penalty shootout if scores still level. 5 named substitutes. Maximum of 3 substitutions.

[edit] References

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