Palmer and Jackson nets the goals that sees Chelsea eventually put robust United to the sword

By Paul Lagan at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 2 v Sheffield United 0

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Chelsea eventually got the goals their superior possession merited as they broke the resistance of a rugged Sheffield United defence to win 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.

The first half summed up the Blues’ home performances of late – terrible and it seemed that the home side were going to struggle badly.

That they managed to break through the final third thanks to some speed play by Raheem Sterling and clinical finishing by Cole Palmer was something of a surprise, but welcomed by the majority of the 40,000 fans.

Nicolas Jackson seemed almost embarrassed to tap home the second on 61 minutes.

VAR intervened needlessly for both goals which took the edge off the game a little bit.

But once the second goal had gone in United effectively gave up.

Chelsea remain at the dizzy heights of te10th while United languish at the bottom of the Premier League

As expected, Chelsea had all the possession during the opening 15 minutes of the game, but with only one shot on target, a speculative 20-yarder by skipper Conor Gallagher which Wes Foderingham plucked out of the air with ease.

United’s Cameron Archer produced a wonderful, albeit wide 25 yard curling effort of his own on 22 minutes.

It was adjudged to have taken a deflection off someone on the way, as a corner was given as full debutant Djordje Petrovic had a dive, but the ball was well wide of his left upright.

There were no changes by either side at half-time.

Some intricate skills were on display by Cole Palmer after 49 minutes which resulted in a shot, but the effort was deflected away for a corner..

But he was on the ball on 54, minutes when finally, Chelsea got around the back of the United defence, Sterling cut the ball square and Palmer, running in smacked the ball home.

VAR then interfered with the goal celebrations for a possible offside by Jackson who was clearly not interfering with play.

VAR then rightly awarded the goal.

Bizarrely the Blues took a 2-0 lead without the crowd realising it.

Jackson was on hand at the far post to meet a byline pass by Palmer.

There was little celebration from the striker which may have influenced the crowd and VAR who then looked at the goal for a possible offside.

This one was so clear cut it puts a question mark on quite what the VAR officials were checking.

Needless to say, they awarded the goal and the Blues were 2-0 on 62 minutes.

Mudryk was then replaced by Enzo on 69 minutes.

Petrovic had his first save of the game, and it came a minute later when Gustavo Harmer’s long-range free-kick was on target and the the stopper dived to his left and parried the ball away for a corner.

Armando Broja entered the fray on 74 minutes with Sterling making way.

And he will be kicking himself for missing an open goal a couple of minutes later.

There was little resistance offered by United from this point onwards and the minutes were run down by both sides.
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Teams: Chelsea: Petrovic, Disasi, Silva, Badiashile, Colwill, Gallagher, Caicedo, Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk, Jackson

Subs: Bergstrom, Bettinelli, Gilchrist, Gusto, Maatsen, Enzo, Matos, Nkunku, Broja, Gusto

Sheffield United: Foderingham, Lowe, Trusty, Hamer, McBurnie, Archer, Ahmedhodzic, Bogle, Souza, McAtee, Brooks

Subs:Davies, Baldock, Traore, Thomas, Norwood, Osborn, Slimane, Larouci, Osula