Sheffield United v Tottenham: The Grudge Match 122 Years In The Making

The Blade's lined up for the 1901 FA Cup final as the champions of two years prior, having demolished Derby County 4-1 in 1899.

Their opponents? Non-league Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs had managed a 5th place finish in the Southern Football League, and bagged 3rd in their debut season in the Western League too. They wouldn't become a member of the football league until 1908, and it would be another year further until they played in the First Division alongside Sheffield United.

Both teams opted for the same 2-3-5 formation, with 110,000+ spectators flocking to The Crystal Palace stadium. It would be another 22 years before the original Wembley was built.

Five minutes after half-time, striker Sandy Brown scored his second goal of the game to give Spurs a 2-1 lead.

But not even a minute passed before The Blades brought it level.

It was an extremely controversial equaliser though, when goalkeeper George Clawley fumbled a shot. The ball dropped and appeared to go over the line, but Clawley managed to then clear the ball out of play.

The linesman gave a corner, but the referee decided it was a goal kick instead. Before the goalkeeper could send the ball up the pitch however the referee again changed his mind.

The goal was given - and the game ended 2-2.

A replay was needed to settle the final, and this time Burnden Park was chosen to host the occasion. The home of Bolton Wanderers was perhaps not a popular choice - the crowd reduced to just 20,740.

The game was level with only 15 minutes to play, but a goal from Tom Smith and Sandy Brown's third goal in the fixture made Tottenham Hotspur the only non-league club ever to win the FA Cup.

The Blades did not have to wait long to regain the trophy - winning the competition the season after.

Spurs have won it another eight times since too....

Sheffield United vs Tottenham - FA Cup Quarter Final 1936

The Blades got revenge for the Cup final loss 25 years after the 1901 final when Spurs travelled to Bramall Lane. 

Sheffield United finished 3rd in the second division that season and knocked out Tottenham, who also played in the second tier, on the way to the FA cup final. 

22,295 fans turned out to see the Blades record a 3-1 victory against Spurs on home turf.

Sheffield United legend Jock Dodds scored twice on the day, on his way to scoring 113 goals across his United career, with inside forward Bobby Barclay adding the other. 

Tottenham's North London rivals would go on to beat Sheffield United in the final, courtesy of a 74th minute Ted Drake goal. 

The defeat would mark the last time United appeared in an FA Cup Final, with the club eyeing to end an 87 year wait this season...

Tottenham vs Sheffield United - FA Cup 4th round 25 January 1958

Sheffield United cast Spurs to the side when they met again in the fourth round of the 1957/58 FA Cup.

51,136 turned up to the now demolished White Hart Lane to see The Blades end Spurs FA Cup hopes. 

Blades striker Derek ‘Doc’ Pace scored inside the first minute and the South Yorkshire club fired in two more unanswered goals, running out 3-0 winners. 

The following round would be the last for the Blades as they fell to West Brom in a replay.