Ahmed Fathi joined Sheffield United's match squad for the evening game against Fulham. Though he remained on the bench, the Blades proved superb, winning convincingly in a match that saw thousands of Egyptian fans tune in to watch Fathi's new team.

Read also:

• Could be Blades Debut For Fathi
• Fathi Joins Sheffield United!
• Blades close in on Fathi
• Fathi in Sheffield on Wednesday
• Sheffield United offer for Fathi Accepted
• Lorient Trial Fathy But Ismaily Ask for Too Much!
• Fathi Set for OM Trial
• Abou Greisha to EP "Interest From Germany"
• Fathy to EP: "Ismaily holding me Tight"
  

Ahmed Fathi

Fathi had impressed in training since arrival and won an early entrance into Neil Warnock's plans. The Egyptian found himself on the bench in the 16-man squad, but didn't see action. Sheffield United were great in all departments anyway, and the boss felt he could go through the game without making any changes.

New acquisition Jon Stead proved a real force at the front, netting a goal and proving a real danger. But in truth, Fulham weren't at their best and didn't test the Blades defence seriously at any stage.

Within seconds of the kick off, Rob Hulse - a mighty presence at the front - came close to scoring, but his close range shot flew off target. And a quarter of the way through the match, Stead managed to turn away from his marker Zat Knight before smashing the ball beyond Anti Niemi to give the hosts the lead.

United were keen to get another and did when Michael Tonge latched onto a fine swing into the box from the very impressive Stephen Quinn.

Though the extremely fast tempo of the first half continued to some extent after the interval, the Blades had no reason to push forward in the same way. All of Stead, Quinn and Colin Kazim-Richards were active and made decent runs and balls into the final third. Quinn delivered nicely for Hulse after a pacey run, but the striker failed make connection with the cross. He almost made up for it when he shrugged Ian Pearce away and turned to hit the crossbar in the final minutes of the game.