Sheffield United failed to build on a disciplined first-half showing at Chelsea as they lost 2-0 away at Chelsea yesterday at Stamford Bridge. The Blades frustrated their expensively-assembled opposition for almost an hour before goals from Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson condemned them to defeat.
Boss Chris Wilder bemoaned a "mad 15 minutes" in the second half which he believes played right into Chelsea's hands, as the Blades prepare for another tough away trip to Aston Villa next Friday. Here are six things we learned from United's defeat at Stamford Bridge...
5. The big decisions
Wilder elected to make two changes to his side for the trip to Stamford Bridge and one was enforced, with Jack Robinson suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season. Oli McBurnie came in for Will Osula, which seemed a sensible decision considering the physical exertion that the youngster put in against Liverpool and Brentford and there was a place for Andre Brooks, deservedly so after his impressive performances in Wilder's first two games back. But given the physical and mental toil this game will have taken, and Wilder's comments about inexperience, one wonders if the likes of Ollie Norwood, Ben Osborn and George Baldock, all back on the bench at Stamford Bridge, may be drafted in over the festive period, ahead of another tough trip to Aston Villa on Friday night...
6. United, together
Many Blades fans were left with flashbacks of Phil Brown's infamous half-time on-pitch team-talk while in charge of Hull City when Wilder gathered his players on the Stamford Bridge turf after the game for what seemed like a lengthy chat. But the manager revealed afterwards that its content was more positive than anything, reminding his players to keep their heads up and not get too down after taking some positive strides since he returned to the club. United's fans remained behind their side until the end, many of them perhaps remembering the nature of their 5-0 defeat at Burnley in their last away game and how they were far from embarrassed here against the former European champions.
7. A bit of perspective
Yes, the manner of defeat here was disappointing. Yes, Chelsea did come into the game on the back of two defeats. But they remain a formidable force full of talent and the two goalscorers alone were signed for fees of £32m and £42.5m in the summer. Add in £50m Sterling, £88m Mudryk and £115m Moises Caicedo, plus £107m Enzo Fernandez coming off the bench, and it further highlights the task United were up against here at Stamford Bridge. Defeat will reopen some wounds amongst fans but United were nowhere near as bad or as passive here as they have been earlier this season, and kept going to the very end rather than throwing in the towel.