Sheffield Utd 2 Manchester City 1:They trooped through the turnstiles in militant mood, determined to demand Bryan Robson's dismissal, but well before the end Sheffield United supporters were indulging in celebratory congas.

"Only one Robbo," joked one, before adding, "but it will be 'Robson out' again if we don't beat Watford here on Tuesday." Perhaps - but even his harshest critics would agree that United's manager deserves a little time to savour this much-deserved win against Premier League opposition, to wallow in the memories of Luton Shelton unhinging City's defence and Lee Martin, a 20-year-old left-winger on loan from Manchester United, petrifying City every time he ran at them.

From now on Robson can also be expected to smile whenever balloons waft in his direction, as the Blades' place in the next round was balloon assisted.

The City fans behind Joe Hart's goal amused themselves before kick-off by floating balloons only for Eriksson's young goalkeeper to neglect to stamp out the sea of blue in his area before the first whistle.

Unfortunately, when Martin's left-wing cross invited a routine clearance on Michael Ball's part, the left-back had already become dangerously distracted and, once the ball changed direction after taking a deflection off one of them, he was totally wrong-footed and left kicking thin air. Shelton proved to be the beneficiary, the ball falling conveniently for him to slip a shot beyond the advancing Hart.

Martin was providing Vedran Corluka with an exacting work-out, and Robson's side succeeded in stretching the visitors on the counter-attack while keeping things compact and denying space when Elano and company were in possession.

United's second goal came from wide on the right, Derek Geary connecting with a throw-in and crossing into the area where Shelton's collision with Richard Dunne resulted in the ball rebounding to the on-rushing Jonathan Stead, whose shot from just inside the area eluded Hart. Shelton had earlier pulled over to the right, dragging Dunne out of position before bursting past him and hitting a cross which led to a Stead header and an adroit Hart save.

Not that City were entirely down and out. In sporadic bursts they passed with casual menace and when Elano bent a free-kick round the wall, Paddy Kenny performed wonders to tip it away.

By then, though, the Brazilian had become drawn into a running feud with Gary Speed and was particularly upset when a body-check from the midfielder went unpunished. Elano had invariably been behind City's best moments but allowed himself to become so self-destructively distracted that Sven-Goran Eriksson withdrew him at half-time lest the desire for retaliation resulted in a red card.

It was to prove an inspired move as Daniel Sturridge swiftly reduced the deficit. The 18-year-old nephew of the former Derby forward Dean made an instant impact when Martin Petrov's corner deflected off Dunne and fell in his direction.

Controlling the ball on his right thigh, Sturridge adjusted his body before beating Kenny with a dipping left-foot volley.

The teenager's arrival and consequent shift to 4-4-2, certainly proved catalytic as Eriksson's side suddenly seemed to realise that they could no longer expect to simply pass their way to victory.

Although United missed half-chances as Martin continued to wreak havoc, the centre-halves Chris Morgan and Leigh Bromby had to hold firm to ensure a famous win which may yet mark a watershed in Robson's recently troubled career.