1 year ago
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By Matthew HowarthBBC Sport
Last updated on 4 minutes ago.From the section Premier League
Cole Palmer's goal was his eighth of the seasonChelsea returned to winning ways with a hard-fought victory over a dogged Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues, beaten by Manchester United and Everton in their past two games, broke the deadlock nine minutes into the second half when Cole Palmer slotted home after fine work by Raheem Sterling.
It was 2-0 seven minutes later, Nicolas Jackson converting Palmer's pass after Blades goalkeeper Wes Foderingham palmed the ball into the former Manchester City youngster's path.
Chelsea enjoyed almost 80% possession across the 90 minutes, but Conor Gallagher's long-range effort was their only shot on target in a forgettable first half for Mauricio Pochettino's team.
Cameron Archer curled wide for the visitors in the first half and full Chelsea debutant Djordje Petrovic pulled off a fine save from Gustavo Hamer's low free-kick, but that was the closest the visitors came to a breakthrough.
Second-half substitute Armando Broja should have increased Chelsea's lead late in the second half but somehow skewed Palmer's low delivery off target from point-blank range.
The Blues move on to 22 points, while Sheffield United remain five points from safety at the foot of the table.
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Chelsea
Squad number28Player namePetrovic
Squad number2Player nameDisasi
Squad number6Player nameThiago Silva
Squad number5Player nameBadiashile
Squad number26Player nameColwill
Squad number25Player nameCaicedo
Squad number23Player nameGallagher
Squad number7Player nameSterling
Squad number20Player namePalmer
Squad number10Player nameMudryk
Squad number15Player nameJackson
Squad number8Player nameFernández
Squad number19Player nameBroja
Squad number27Player nameGusto
Squad number29Player nameMaatsen
Sheffield United
Squad number18Player nameFoderingham
Squad number20Player nameBogle
Squad number15Player nameAhmedhodzic
Squad number5Player nameTrusty
Squad number3Player nameLowe
Squad number21Player nameVinicius Souza
Squad number28Player nameMcAtee
Squad number8Player nameHamer
Squad number35Player nameBrooks
Squad number10Player nameArcher
Squad number9Player nameMcBurnie
Squad number16Player nameNorwood
Squad number25Player nameBen Slimane
Squad number32Player nameOsula
Line-ups
Chelsea
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 28Petrovic
- 2Disasi
- 6Thiago Silva
- 5Badiashile
- 26Colwill
- 25Caicedo
- 23GallagherBooked at 52mins
- 7SterlingSubstituted forBrojaat 75'minutes
- 20PalmerSubstituted forMaatsenat 90+4'minutes
- 10MudrykSubstituted forFernándezat 69'minutes
- 15JacksonSubstituted forGustoat 90+4'minutes
Substitutes
- 8Fernández
- 13Bettinelli
- 18Nkunku
- 19Broja
- 27Gusto
- 29Maatsen
- 42Gilchrist
- 47Bergström
- 52Matos
Sheff Utd
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 18Foderingham
- 20Bogle
- 15Ahmedhodzic
- 5Trusty
- 3LoweBooked at 74mins
- 21de Souza Costa
- 28McAteeBooked at 42mins
- 8HamerBooked at 63minsSubstituted forBen Slimaneat 80'minutes
- 35BrooksSubstituted forOsulaat 58'minutes
- 10Archer
- 9McBurnieSubstituted forNorwoodat 67'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Davies
- 2Baldock
- 11Traoré
- 14Thomas
- 16Norwood
- 23Osborn
- 25Ben Slimane
- 27Larouci
- 32Osula
Referee:Andy Madley
Attendance:39,599
Live Text
Match ends, Chelsea 2, Sheffield United 0.
Second Half ends, Chelsea 2, Sheffield United 0.
Axel Disasi (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Anis Ben Slimane (Sheffield United).
Foul by Axel Disasi (Chelsea).
Anis Ben Slimane (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Chelsea. Malo Gusto replaces Nicolas Jackson.
Substitution, Chelsea. Ian Maatsen replaces Cole Palmer.
Attempt missed. Cameron Archer (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Anis Ben Slimane.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Max Lowe (Sheffield United).
Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Jayden Bogle.
Attempt blocked. Armando Broja (Chelsea) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Thiago Silva.
Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Wes Foderingham.
Attempt saved. Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Attempt saved. Cole Palmer (Chelsea) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Cole Palmer (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Anel Ahmedhodzic (Sheffield United).
Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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