Chelsea dropped two points at Sheffield United after conceding a late equaliser at Bramall Lane, drawing 2-2. The Blues beat the Blades in December but only had themselves to blame for coming unstuck in the reverse fixture.
Only eight Premier League clubs have conceded more goals than Chelsea this season, and it’s not hard to see why. The Blues were sloppy at the back for Sheffield United’s equaliser, gifting the hosts a point they didn’t deserve.
Blues started bright but faded
Chelsea got off to the perfect start through Thiago Silva in the 11th minute. The 39-year-old was unmarked at a corner and side-footed an effort into the back of the net.
Sheffield United weren’t giving up, however, and posed a threat on the break. Gustavo Hamer drifted past Moises Caicedo and struck a curling effort from distance, forcing a save from Djordje Petrovic.
Chelsea didn’t heed the warning as the Blades found an equaliser after half an hour. A free-flowing move saw Oliver McBurnie link up with Gustavo Hamer who found Jayden Bogle with a brilliant through ball. Bogle was at a tight angle on the right but somehow found the back of the net off Petrovic.
The two sides went into the break level, but it nearly went from bad to worse for Chelsea.
Mixed second-half performance from Chelsea
McBurnie headed wide from close range after being picked out by a Ben Brereton Diaz cross, so Chelsea got lucky. The Blues regained the lead after a brilliant solo goal from Noni Madueke. Collecting the ball on the right from Cole Palmer, Madueke cut inside and found the roof of the net.
United weren’t giving up, however, and forced another save from Petrovic when nearly lobbing him from a header. A late set piece would see the Blades get their equaliser, however, and Mauricio Pochettino won’t be happy with the defending.
United posed an aerial threat all evening, and two players beating Chelsea to the ball saw them level the game. Hamer won the first header and Cameron Archer won the second, flicking the ball on for McBurnie to score. It’s certainly two points dropped rather than one gained.
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