Chelsea’s quest for a climb to seventh place in the league hit a snag as they settled for a 2-2 draw against Sheffield United on April 7. Despite the relief of salvaging a point, Mauricio Pochettino’s squad had anticipated a more resounding result following their stunning 4-3 triumph over Manchester United earlier in the week. The expectation was for the Blues to ride on their momentum and overpower Chris Wilder’s relegation-threatened team.
The visitors got off to a strong start in the 11th minute when Thiago Silva capitalized on being left unmarked to convert Conor Gallagher’s corner. This marked a rare start for the veteran Brazilian defender, who had recently slipped down Pochettino’s pecking order.
However, Sheffield United leveled the score through English right-back Jayden Bogle in the 32nd minute. Bogle surged forward on the right flank and managed to power his shot past Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic. The Blades came close to seizing the lead nine minutes into the second half when Ben Brereton Diaz delivered a superb cross to Oli McBurnie, whose header narrowly missed the target.
Pochettino’s men regained the lead in the 66th minute courtesy of a fine strike from England U21 international Noni Madueke. Cutting inside onto his left foot, Madueke found the net with a composed finish. However, Sheffield United fought back and secured a last-gasp draw in the 90+3rd minute when McBurnie capitalized on defensive lapses from Chelsea to score the equalizer.
The draw acted as a reality check for Chelsea, whose fans were riding high after the recent victory against Manchester United. Despite the draw, Chelsea climbed to ninth place in the league, trailing eighth-placed Newcastle United by three points. However, one disgruntled fan voiced their discontent by demanding Pochettino’s dismissal.
The draw against Sheffield United marked Chelsea’s eighth draw in 30 league games, hindering their efforts to narrow the gap on their European qualification rivals. With little to celebrate from the game, Chelsea’s performance highlighted the inconsistencies that have plagued Pochettino’s side throughout the season. Commenting on the match, former Blues defender Jason Cundy stressed the need for Chelsea players to take accountability and elevate their performance. He singled out Madueke as one of the few players who posed a threat and showed collective determination. Despite his limited game time under Pochettino, Madueke impressed with his superb goal and lively performance at Bramall Lane, emerging as a standout performer for Chelsea.
