Misfortune, a lapse in concentration and poor defending condemn Sheffield United to 4-1 defeat at Chelsea

In the pantheon of great football deceptions, Chris Wilder’s suggestion that Sheffield United would approach this fixture with trepidation and caution was up there with the very best.
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After doing for the jugular straight from kick-off, peppering Chelsea’s defence with crisp, intelligent passes and committing men forward, it took them only nine minutes to engineer the first goal Frank Lampard’s team had conceded in nearly six and a half hours of football courtesy of David McGoldrick’s impudent back heel.

So it will be a source of major frustration for Wilder and his staff, whose side remain bottom of the table, that a slice of good fortune, a lapse in concentration and some terribly disappointing examples of defending too were responsible for handing the opposition the initiative and with it the points.

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This was another match, against a Premier League behemoth, when United finished the contest with plenty to be encouraged about but nothing to show in terms of points.

Sheffield United were beaten 4-1 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this evening. (Photo by Peter Cziborra - Pool/Getty Images)Sheffield United were beaten 4-1 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this evening. (Photo by Peter Cziborra - Pool/Getty Images)
Sheffield United were beaten 4-1 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this evening. (Photo by Peter Cziborra - Pool/Getty Images)

It is a trend which has understandably convinced Wilder that a first victory of the season is not far away.

But he will also be aware that it cannot afford to continue much longer, if his team is to avoid running the risk of being cut adrift in the relegation zone.

Still, it is early days yet and after facing Liverpool and Manchester City en route to west London, United are now preparing to enter a run of fixtures where some of their early play here is likely to deliver greater dividends.

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McGoldrick became the first player to score against Chelsea since the middle of last month when, after Oliver Norwood and George Baldock had exchanged passes following a short corner routine, he spotted the possibilities when Sander Berge fired a low shot towards Edouard Mendy’s net.

The hosts, beaten 3-0 at Bramall Lane towards the end of last term, looked rattled. But their nerves were quickly settled when Tammy Abraham restored parity despite making a scruffy connection on Mateo Kovacic’s centre before Ben Chilwell sneaked in at the far post and turned the contest on its head. Thiago Silva and Timo Werner were also on target, as Chelsea climbed to third. But Hakim Ziyech was the architect of this victory.

Mobility, or a need to inject more into United’s midfield, was Wilder’s explanation for his decision to hand the on-loan Ethan Ampadu a central rather than defensive role during their recent games against Liverpool and Manchester City. But with competition rules prohibiting the youngster from facing his parent club, Wilder was forced to make a series of changes in United’s engine room, where John Lundstram and Norwood were both recalled to partner Sander Berge. McGoldrick, who announced his retirement from Republic of Ireland duty earlier this week, was selected alongside Rhian Brewster in attack and repaid that faith with his clever finish.

Chelsea, who resisted the temptation to rest Werner despite Lampard’s suggestion that a heavy workload might force him to start on the bench, controlled the second period and cruised over the line when captain Thiago Silva claimed their third of the evening - heading home from a corner after beating Aaron Ramsdale to the ball, before Werner added a fourth.

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However, had Abraham’s shot not bounced over Chris Basham’s head and into the back of the net after being screwed into the turf, their passage through this fixture might not have been as comfortable. Chilwell pounced when Max Lowe appeared to be unaware of his presence following a cross from the excellent Ziyech.

The Morocco international claimed another assist when Silva found himself unmarked before United’s luck deserted them again; Lowe making a tackle and seeing the ball cannon off N’Golo Kante and straight into Werner’s path.

Chelsea: Mendy, James, Zouma, Silva (C), Chilwell, Kante, Kovacic (Jorginho 70), Mount, Ziyech, Abraham, Werner (Giroud 89). Not used: Caballero, Rudiger, Hudson-Odoi, Azpilicueta, Emerson.

Sheffield United: Ramsdale, Basham, Egan (C), Stevens, Lowe, Baldock, Norwood (Osborn 62), Berge, Lundstram, Brewster (McBurnie 62), McGoldrick. Not used: Verrips, Sharp, Burke, Jagielka, Robinson.

Referee: Jonathan Moss (West Yorkshire), VAR: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).