McGoaldrick, more history and it's UNITED, Graeme Souness - SIX talking points from Sheffield United's 3-0 victory over Chelsea

Sheffield United made a huge statement in their pursuit of a place in Europe last night with a 3-0 victory over third-placed Chelsea at Bramall Lane.
David McGoldrick scores his second goal against Chelsea (Photo by SHAUN BOTTERILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)David McGoldrick scores his second goal against Chelsea (Photo by SHAUN BOTTERILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
David McGoldrick scores his second goal against Chelsea (Photo by SHAUN BOTTERILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Our man Danny Hall offers six talking points from the game.

Oh, Graeme…

We'll let it slide after such a performance, but could someone remind Graeme Souness that Sheffield UNITED are in the Premier League, rather than the other team in the Steel City - Sheffield FC? At the drinks break in the first half, through what sounded like a mouthful of biscuits, he described it as "a typical Sheffield performance". I'm not sure how much Graeme gets to watch of Sheffield in the Northern Premier League, first division south. But if that United performance is typical of the standard at that level, then it's no surprise he apparently watches it so often!

McGoaldrick

(With apologies/thanks to James Gregg for the headline). Wow, where to start? What a time to get your first Premier League goal, and then to double it up and cap a stunning victory over Champions League-chasing Chelsea. Professionalism aside for a second, I am delighted for McGoldrick. There are few better blokes in the United set-up and he is a joy to watch on the field, even when he doesn't find the back of the net. You would also struggle to find a more popular man amongst his teammates at Bramall Lane, which often says more than anything else. Look at the delight they showed in their celebrations, and on social media since. Almost a year after his top-flight debut, and two years after being released by Ipswich Town, McGoldrick is now a Premier League goalscorer - something that, no matter what happens between now and the end of the campaign, can never be taken away from him.

A few more now?

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I wouldn't back against him. The striker has showed a bit of a habit of going on goalscoring runs once he has one under his belt, and with just three matches remaining for Chris Wilder's men there would be no finer time. But even if he ends the campaign with two league goals, McGoldrick would still very much be in the running to retain his player of the year crown. It must seem bizarre to those outside United, that a striker who took until July to score his first league goal of the season can be so universally respected and loved by staff, players and fans alike. But this is no ordinary club - and McGoldrick is certainly no ordinary player.

Sheffield United striker David McGoldrick celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's third goal in the 3-0 win over Chelsea at Bramall Lane. (Photo by Rui Vieira/Pool via Getty Images)Sheffield United striker David McGoldrick celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's third goal in the 3-0 win over Chelsea at Bramall Lane. (Photo by Rui Vieira/Pool via Getty Images)
Sheffield United striker David McGoldrick celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's third goal in the 3-0 win over Chelsea at Bramall Lane. (Photo by Rui Vieira/Pool via Getty Images)

A(nother) bit of history

United have now won four Premier League matches in a row at home - a new club record. But it is the status of the teams they have beaten in that run that is the most impressive thing. Norwich were scrapping for their lives at the time, what seems like a long time ago now, and then Spurs, Wolves and Chelsea were all chasing places in Europe. Eight goals in those four games is a very healthy return, with only one conceded - a superb effort from United's defenders, who have kept some top, top strikers at bay in recent weeks.

Fingers crossed

A brilliant day for Sheffield United was only tempered somewhat by the sight of Chris Basham, such a warrior-like figure, admitting defeat in his battle to stay on the field and going off in the second half. Basham, typically, took a Ross Barkley free-kick full in the face and couldn't shake off the after-effects. Much will depend on whether he was concussed by the force of the ball, and whether the subsequent protocols kick in, as to whether he will be available for Thursday's trip to Spurs.

What a turnaround

Just a few weeks ago, United were being written off completely and some United fans were wondering out loud where their next goal would come from, never mind win. Others were even checking that the Blades were actually mathematically safe from relegation. Now they are very much back in the reckoning for Europe, and can claw even more ground back on teams above them on Thursday when they travel to a Leicester City side who have won only once themselves - at the time of writing - since lockdown. Bring it on.

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