Chelsea 2-0 Sheffield United (Dec 16, 2023) Game Analysis

Chelsea scored twice in seven second-half minutes via Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson to say a laboured 2-0 win over the Premier League’s backside membership Sheffield United on Saturday.

Palmer unlocked a decided visiting defence when he poked dwelling the ball from six metres after a one-two with Raheem Sterling within the 54th minute.

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– Chelsea participant scores: Cole Palmer essential to win

Palmer then turned supplier within the 61st when United goalkeeper Wes Foderingham might solely parry the ball to the midfielder after a goalmouth melee and he fed Jackson who was unmarked on the far publish to show the ball dwelling.

Sheffield United, beneath newly returned coach Chris Wilder, had managed to suffocate Chelsea within the first half.

Chelsea forwards Mykhailo Mudryk and Jackson made forays into the guests’ space however have been continually annoyed by the disciplined defence with each man behind the ball.

Mauricio Pochettino’s expensively-assembled facet produced just one shot on course within the half, a Conor Gallagher effort that was calmly collected by Foderingham.

For United, Cameron Archer and James McAtee seemed harmful on the break however their ahead runs have been restricted with United’s first-half possession reaching solely 21%.

Pochettino modified his formation and switched Sterling and Cole’s positions within the second half to attempt to break United’s stranglehold.

“In the first half we didn’t find a way to break the low block,” he stated. “We changed to try to find a better solution … better positions.”

The end result was a aid for Chelsea after two defeats in a row away at Manchester United and Everton.

Wilder, who has been accountable for Sheffield for less than 10 days in his second stint, incomes a win towards Brentford after a defeat by Liverpool, blamed Saturday’s loss on the inexperience of his facet and Chelsea’s high quality.

“They have players all over the pitch that are world class,” he stated.

Chelsea’s third dwelling league win of the season despatched them as much as tenth place, above London neighbours Fulham and Brentford. United remained rooted to the foot of the desk.