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Chelsea vs Sheffield United LIVE: Premier League score and latest updates as Blues in control

luke baker
·16 min read
(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

Chelsea can jump back into the top half of the table this afternoon if they take three points away from Sheffield United.

Mauricio Pochettino needs a win after back-to-back defeats – to Everton and Manchester United – with the Blades seemingly arriving at Stamford Bridge at the right time.

However, with Sheffield United sitting bottom of the table Chris Wilder has been brought back in as manager and should make them a more formidable unit. The Sheffield outfit need points of their own and will fancy themselves against a Chelsea side still trying to click under Pochettino.

Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United LIVE: Premier League updates

Chelsea FC 2 - 0 Sheffield United FC

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

17:03

Ultimately crusing to a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea move on from their away-day blues by beating a limited Sheffield United side - but not without struggling to break them down for the first 50 minutes. Shortly after the second half began, the hosts finally found their rhythm, with Sterling and particularly Palmer to the fore as they pinned the Blades back and continued to dominate the ball. Jackson struck for the seventh time in the Premier League this season, helping his team to edge back inside the top half of the table. United, meanwhile remain rooted to the bottom. In midweek, Chelsea will host Newcastle United in the EFL quarter-finals, before visiting Wolves next Sunday; it doesn't get any easier for Sheffield United, who face a tough trip to Villa Park on Friday evening. That's all from today's live coverage, so thank you for joining us and goodbye!

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:57

FULL-TIME: CHELSEA 2-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:54

Having picked up the ball 30 yards from goal and then driven past Thiago Silva, Archer reaches the area and then skews a shot well wide of the left-hand post.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:53

Substitution Nicolas Jackson Malo Gusto

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:53

With Lowe back in the fray, Chelsea work the corner-kick short. Foderingham ultimately grasps Gallagher's rather aimless delivery from the left to his chest.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:53

Substitution Cole Jermaine Palmer Ian Ethan Maatsen

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:51

After Broja's low shot is blocked behind for a corner, Lowe drops to the ground and indicates he will need medical attention. The action comes to a halt.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:50

McAtee almost steals the ball deep in Chelsea territory, but the Blues instead retain possession - they've had some 79 per cent of the ball in this game. Sheffield United have barely had a sniff.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:48

CLOSE! Another scintillating run by Palmer is only ended by a clear foul from Ahmedhodzic on the edge of the Blades' box. The England forward then peels himself off the turf and curls a delicate free-kick towards the bottom-right corner, forcing Foderingham to dive full length and tip the ball away!

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:45

GLARING MISS! More fine work from Palmer, this time on the right, sets up a golden chance for substitute Broja to get his name on the scoresheet, but instead he somehow turns the ball over the crossbar from just a few yards out! What a miss - the Albania striker shakes his head in disbelief!

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:43

Although their intensity has understandably dropped, Chelsea are still totally controlling this game. United escape a penalty shout from the Blues' captain, as Gallagher topples over inside the area following a challenge from Vinicius Souza.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:39

Never quite in control or perfectly balanced, Gallagher tries his luck with a shot from just outside the box, which sails high and wide of the target. It's been a typically energetic display from Chelsea's stand-in skipper today.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:39

Substitution Gustavo Martin Emilio Hamer Anis Ben Slimane

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:38

Following his part in today's game, Sterling has been involved in 20 goals in his last 19 Premier League appearances against promoted sides, scoring 15 and assisting five.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:34

McAtee just fails to keep the ball in play on the byline, ending a promising move for the Blades, who have managed only one shot on target so far today.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:33

Substitution Raheem Shaquille Sterling Armando Broja

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:33

Yellow Card Max Josef Lowe

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:30

SHARP SAVE! Foderingham denies Sterling at close range, sprinting off his line to narrow the angle just as the England forward prodded a low effort towards goal! It's another smart stop from the Sheffield United goalkeeper.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:29

Jackson celebrates again, after another VAR check approves his goal. The Senegal striker has now directly contributed to goals in each of his last three home games.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:28

Substitution Mykhailo Mudryk Enzo Jeremías Fernández

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:26

Substitution Oliver Robert McBurnie Oliver James Norwood

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:25

Whatever Pochettino said at half-time has clearly worked, as Chelsea's previously static front line are now all over the Blades' back four. Palmer and Sterling in particularly have proved irrepressible - it's one-way traffic at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:21

Yellow Card Gustavo Martin Emilio Hamer

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:20

Goal Nicolas Jackson

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:18

GOAL STANDS! After a tense wait for Palmer's goal to be confirmed by the VAR, the referee indicates it will stand! There was no offside as suspected, so it's 1-0 to Chelsea early in the second half.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:16

Substitution Andre Chance Brooks William Idamudia Daugaard Osula

GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Sheffield United (Cole Palmer 54’)

16:19 , Luke Baker

Cole Palmer starts and finishes a move that puts Chelsea ahead. He lays the ball off to Raheem Sterling on the edge of the area and then times his run to the six-yard box perfectly to get on the end of Sterling’s fizzing low cross.

He steers comfortably home and the Blues are deservedly on top. We’ll have a VAR check though...

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:13

Assist Raheem Shaquille Sterling

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:12

Sterling lays the ball off to Palmer in a central position, and presented with a distinct lack of options, the latter decides to try his luck from more than 20 yards out. However, his effort is heavily deflected and can easily be claimed by Foderingham.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:11

Yellow Card Conor John Gallagher

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:10

After a driving run by Gallagher opens up space, Palmer throws a few stepovers on the right side of the box and then has a low shot blocked by Trusty at the near post. Nothing comes of Chelsea's corner, though.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:08

Chelsea start the second half on the front foot, as Caicedo's dangerous cross from the right is cut out; then, Badiashile and Sterling exchange passes on the left side of the area before ultimately losing the ball.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:04

Chelsea kick off, and we are back under way at Stamford Bridge!

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

16:02

United have now failed to score a first-half goal in 14 of their 17 league matches this season - the most blanks of any Premier League team before the break - and with an overall tally of just four away from home, how the first period panned out comes as no real surprise. It'll most likely be more of the same from Wilder's men after the interval, but how will Pochettino choose to change things - and when?

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:55

Short of inspiration but full of perspiration - particularly from a Sheffield United side who have barely had any of the ball - the first half at Stamford Bridge comes to a close. Chelsea's passing patterns have continually faltered in the final third, where a steel ring of defenders has kept Foderingham's area largely off limits, and they have managed just one shot on target. Chances have been few and far between at either end, and surely this game can only improve after the break?

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:51

HALF-TIME: CHELSEA 0-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:50

In the first of two minutes added for stoppages, Vinicius Souza is back on his feet and resumes his role in front of United's hard-working back four. The visitors are so close to keeping Chelsea at bay until half-time.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:48

Play has been halted as Vinicius Souza lies prone on the turf after being caught by Caicedo's flailing elbow. The Sheffield United midfielder is being checked over by the medics, but it seems no action will be taken against his opponent.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:46

CLOSE! Finally, Jackson takes aim at goal, sprinting past two defenders at full tilt before swinging a shot wide of the right-hand post from the edge of the box! That's better.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:44

Having had just 21 per cent of possession so far, it has been a tiring first half for Sheffield United, who have had to suffer long spells without the ball. Can they hold out until half-time?

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:43

Yellow Card James John McAtee

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:42

GOOD GOALKEEPING! Racing off his line to slide the ball away from Jackson's path, Foderingham makes a crucial intervention on the edge of his area! It seemed the Senegal striker was clean though on goal, but United's goalkeeper was alert to the danger!

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:40

A loose touch from Palmer on the edge of the area lets the Blades off the hook. Bogle steps in with a vital interception, after the former Manchester City man was fed a low throughball by Gallagher.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:38

Brooks is penalised for an almost comical foul on Mudryk inside the Chelsea area, as the Blues winger ends up balancing on his opponent's back before crashing down to the turf.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:35

For the third time in a matter of minutes, Jackson is caught offside. Chelsea's attacking rhythm is a little off at the moment, while Sheffield United are defending admirably.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:34

Chelsea are still dictating the tempo, but there has been a distinct lack of clear chances to opening the scoring. It's a little too early, but some fans' thoughts will already be turning to the introduction of substitute Nkunku, who has a lot of hope resting on his shoulders.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:32

McAtee slips a short pass through to the overlapping Bogle on the right edge of Chelsea's area, but the latter's low cross flashes along the hosts' six-yard box without another United team-mate arriving to turn it in. The away side are certainly posing some threat on the break.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:30

Showing great strength to hold off Bogle, the direct running and persistence of Mudryk almost pays off. He gets all the way to the left byline, but his pull-back is then hacked away from the six-yard box by Lowe.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:27

CLOSE! With one thing on his mind, Archer powers inside from the left and flashes a well-struck shot towards the top-right corner, and it only misses the target by a slim margin! Petrovic was scrambling across his goal there!

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:26

Mudryk is back on the ball again, but after driving inside from the flank he lashes a wild shot way over the crossbar, with Foderingham able to watch it sail far above his head and into the stand.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:25

Some deft footwork from Mudryk on the left side of the area see the young winger earn a few feet of precious space; however, his low ball across the box is not met by a team-mate and Chelsea's attack comes to an end.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:22

So far, the Blades are defending the edge of their area with great commitment. Chelsea seemingly have no answer to their visitors' tactics, as the Blues' early energy has started to dissipate.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:22

Mudryk sends over another corner-kick, but his cross is cut out at the near post. That's a real waste of a set-piece opportunity, and the pressure is relieved on Sheffield United.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:19

After Chelsea captain Gallagher charges through two challenges, he lets fly from a central position; however, Foderingham is easily equal to it and makes a straightforward save. Still, that's the game's first shot on target.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:17

With a 79 per cent share of possession, Chelsea are living up to pre-match expectations: they'll dominate the ball today, but can they turn such supremacy into goals and finally keep the back door shut as well?

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:15

Bogle does just enough to deny Chelsea access to the United area, then the visitors suddenly spring a quick counter-attack. At its end, Archer thunders a 20-yard shot straight into the first defender in front of him.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:12

Sheffield United have the worst defensive record away from home throughout the Premier League this season, and as they have also failed to keep a single clean sheet in any of their last 29 away league games against Chelsea - since a goalless draw in October 1922 - history is certainly not on their side either.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:10

Shortly after Sterling runs into traffic on the edge of the opposition area, McBurnie is almost sent clear by a long throughball at the other end; however, he is penalised for a foul on Badiashile and the chance evaporates.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:08

Sheffield United are still chasing shadows, as their hosts pass purposefully around in midfield - albeit without creating any openings in the Blades' back line as yet.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:06

Chelsea are keeping the pressure on their visitors early in this game, as they look to avoid three consecutive losses. Defeat today would further increase the debate about the Blues' direction - both on and off the pitch.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:04

After Jackson forces a corner on the left, Mudryk sends over an outswinging delivery that skips dangerously through the area, before Caicedo has a snap-shot blocked on the edge of the box.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:02

Sheffield United kick off, and we are under way in London!

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

15:01

The players are out on the pitch at Stamford Bridge, and kick-off is now just moments away!

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

14:58

McBurnie returns from suspension to replace Osula up front for Sheffield United, but Jack Robinson must now serve a one-match ban for yellow-card accumulation - Lowe replaces the latter in defence. Chris Basham, John Egan and Rhian Brewster remain sidelined, but Norwood is back on the bench.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

14:54

Making a total of five changes to the team that started against Everton, Pochettino drops Broja and Fernandez, with Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella and Chelsea captain Reece James all ruled out by injury. Former New England Revolution goalkeeper Petrovic deputises for Sanchez, while French striker Nkunku - last season's joint-top Bundesliga scorer - is named on the bench following a long layoff.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

14:50

SUBS: Adam Davies, George Baldock, Luke Thomas, Benie Traore, William Osula, Ben Osborn, Yasser Larouci, Anis Ben Slimane, Oliver Norwood.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

14:46

SHEFFIELD UNITED (4-1-4-1): Wes Foderingham; Jayden Bogle, Anel Ahmedhodzic, Auston Trusty, Max Lowe; Vinicius Souza; James McAtee, Gustavo Hamer, Andre Brooks, Cameron Archer; Oli McBurnie.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

14:42

SUBS: Marcus Bettinelli, Lucas Bergstrom, Armando Broja, Ian Maatsen, Enzo Fernandez, Malo Gusto, Alfie Gilchrist, Christopher Nkunku, Alex Matos.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

14:42

CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Dorde Petrovic; Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill; Moises Caicedo, Connor Gallgher; Raheem Sterling, Cole Palmer, Mykhailo Mudryk; Nicolas Jackson.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

14:38

Sheffield United belatedly earned both their second win and first clean sheet of the Premier League season last weekend: the Blades beat Brentford 1-0 but are still bottom of the table on goal difference. They last won consecutive top-flight games in July 2020, during Chris Wilder’s previous stint in charge - on that occasion the second win came against Chelsea. However, United are the only team without an away victory this term, having lost on six of seven road trips so far.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

14:38

Chelsea have lost their two most recent matches, going down 2-1 at Manchester United and then 2-0 at Everton last week, with the latter being the fifth straight top-flight fixture in which they have shipped at least two goals. Manager Mauricio Pochettino has not lost three Premier League games on the spin since 2013, when still in charge of Southampton. His injury-hit side sit 12th in the table approaching the halfway stage, no less than 14 points shy of the top four.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

14:34

Hello and welcome to live coverage of today's Premier League clash between Chelsea and Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge!

Chelsea vs Sheffield United line-ups

14:24 , Mike Jones

Chelsea XI: Petrovic, Disasi, Thiago Silva, Badiashile, Colwill, Gallagher, Caicedo, Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk, Jackson

Sheffield United XI: Foderingham, Bogle, Trusty, Ahmedhodzic, Lowe, Souza, Hamer, Brooks, McAtee, McBurnie, Archer

Chelsea vs Sheffield United

14:00

Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…