Chelsea made the trip to Bramall Lane on Sunday on the back of a thrilling comeback win over Manchester United in midweek. The win at Stamford Bridge was celebrated as if it was a turning point in his tenure by manager Mauricio Pochettino, but his side were undone by Oli McBurnie who scored in stoppage time to seal a draw for the struggling Sheffield United.
Thiago Silva was back in the Chelsea side for the first time since February and marked his return with a goal, guiding Conor Gallagher’s delivery into the bottom-right corner with a volley to give the visitors an early lead.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side could not hold on for long, as Jayden Bogle ran onto a wonderful Gustavo Hamer through ball before thumping a strike towards the near post from a tight angle, which Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic could only turn into his own net.
The momentum was back with Chelsea in the second half and Noni Madueke put the visitors back in front when he cut inside the box on his left foot before lashing an effort beyond Ivo Grbic.
Sheffield United hit back again though, equalising through McBurnie’s close-range finish in the 93rd minute to seal a point.
The draw feels like a missed opportunity for Chelsea, who remain in ninth spot and five points adrift of the top six after Manchester United drew with Liverpool earlier in the day.
The result will do wonders for Sheffield Utd’s momentum as they continue their unlikely survival bid. They are now nine points from safety with seven games to play.
