Match ends, Sheffield United 3, Chelsea 0.
Sheffield United 3-0 Chelsea: Blades move into top six
- From the section Premier League
Sheffield United continued their push for European qualification as they moved into the Premier League's top six with a convincing win over in-form Chelsea at Bramall Lane.
David McGoldrick's first Premier League goal opened the scoring, pouncing after Kepa Arrizabalaga had saved brilliantly from a deflected Oli McBurnie shot in the 18th minute.
Chelsea's defence was shaky throughout and they were ruthlessly punished just 15 minutes later when Enda Stevens crossed and McBurnie was left completely unmarked in the six-yard box to power home a simple header.
The damage was completed when McGoldrick capitalised on a dreadful defensive mix-up to plunder his second midway through the second half.
The visitors had scored the most number of away goals in the Premier League before this match, including three at Crystal Palace in midweek, but never looked like adding to their tally.
Chris Wilder has drawn many plaudits this season for Sheffield United's organisation and team ethic, their desire to keep the ball out of their net a telling contrast to the fragility of their illustrious visitors.
If Leicester City and Manchester United win their game-in-hand, against Bournemouth and Southampton respectively, Champions-League Chelsea could find themselves in fifth when next in action against Norwich on Tuesday.
Reward for McGoldrick
David McGoldrick was named Player of the Year for Sheffield United as he scored 15 times in their successful promotion campaign last season but has had no luck in front of goal in the Premier League.
He will though be a very popular goalscorer among Blades fans who appreciate the hunger and work ethic he brings to every performance.
And, despite that lack of goals, his sharpness was in evidence when he pounced midway through the first half.
Mason Mount lost the ball for Chelsea, Kepa somehow kept out Oli McBurnie's deflected volley but McGoldrick followed up to lash home the opening goal.
He then got a well-deserved second with 15 minutes to go as his driving run created an opening and he was in the right place to bury the loose ball beyond Kepa.
His strike partner McBurnie had scored Sheffield United's second with a powerful header before half time and substitute Lys Mousset should have made it four when he raced clear but clipped past the post.
This was Sheffield United's 10th home win of an outstanding season and Chris Wilder's side are a good bet to secure European football at Bramall Lane for the first time in their 130-year history.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Sheff Utd
- 1Henderson
- 6BashamSubstituted forJagielkaat 68'minutes
- 12Egan
- 5O'Connell
- 2BaldockBooked at 3mins
- 32BergeSubstituted forLundstramat 63'minutes
- 16Norwood
- 23Osborn
- 3Stevens
- 9McBurnieSubstituted forMoussetat 63'minutes
- 17McGoldrick
Substitutes
- 7Lundstram
- 10Sharp
- 15Jagielka
- 18Freeman
- 19Robinson
- 22Mousset
- 25Moore
- 26Rodwell
- 30Zivkovic
Chelsea
- 1Arrizabalaga
- 24JamesSubstituted forHudson-Odoiat 75'minutes
- 4ChristensenSubstituted forRüdigerat 45'minutes
- 15Zouma
- 28Azpilicueta
- 8BarkleySubstituted forLoftus-Cheekat 78'minutes
- 5Jorginho
- 19MountSubstituted forAlonsoat 45'minutes
- 10Willian
- 9Abraham
- 22PulisicSubstituted forGiroudat 66'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Rüdiger
- 3Alonso
- 12Loftus-Cheek
- 13Caballero
- 17Kovacic
- 18Giroud
- 20Hudson-Odoi
- 23Batshuayi
- 64Bate
- Referee:
- Andre Marriner
Match Stats
Home TeamSheff UtdAway TeamChelsea
- Possession
- Home24%
- Away76%
- Shots
- Home9
- Away15
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away4
- Corners
- Home4
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away6
Live Text
Full Time
Second Half ends, Sheffield United 3, Chelsea 0.
Willian (Chelsea) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by George Baldock (Sheffield United).
Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by John Lundstram.
Attempt missed. Enda Stevens (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by Ben Osborn.
Jorginho (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by David McGoldrick (Sheffield United).
Attempt blocked. Tammy Abraham (Chelsea) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Attempt saved. Tammy Abraham (Chelsea) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Callum Hudson-Odoi with a cross.
Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by David McGoldrick.
Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Ben Osborn (Sheffield United).
Attempt missed. Lys Mousset (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by David McGoldrick following a fast break.
Attempt saved. Olivier Giroud (Chelsea) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by César Azpilicueta with a cross.
Substitution
Substitution, Chelsea. Ruben Loftus-Cheek replaces Ross Barkley.
Goal!
Goal! Sheffield United 3, Chelsea 0. David McGoldrick (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal following a fast break.
Attempt missed. Tammy Abraham (Chelsea) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Willian with a cross following a set piece situation.
Substitution
Substitution, Chelsea. Callum Hudson-Odoi replaces Reece James.
Marcos Alonso (Chelsea) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Lys Mousset (Sheffield United).
Attempt missed. Tammy Abraham (Chelsea) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Antonio Rüdiger following a corner.
Attempt missed. Antonio Rüdiger (Chelsea) header from the left side of the six yard box misses to the right. Assisted by Willian with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Jack O'Connell.
Attempt blocked. César Azpilicueta (Chelsea) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ross Barkley.
Attempt blocked. John Egan (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Ben Osborn with a cross.
Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Kurt Zouma.
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield United. Phil Jagielka replaces Chris Basham because of an injury.
Foul by Tammy Abraham (Chelsea).
Jack O'Connell (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Olivier Giroud (Chelsea) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Antonio Rüdiger.
Substitution
Substitution, Chelsea. Olivier Giroud replaces Christian Pulisic.
Attempt blocked. Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ross Barkley.
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield United. Lys Mousset replaces Oliver McBurnie.
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield United. John Lundstram replaces Sander Berge.
Attempt blocked. Ross Barkley (Chelsea) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Ross Barkley (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Sander Berge (Sheffield United).
Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by John Egan.
Attempt missed. Tammy Abraham (Chelsea) with an attempt from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Reece James with a cross.
