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Attendance: 40,560
Chelsea logo
Premier League | Gameweek 4
Aug 31, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
Sheffield United logo

2-2

Abraham (19', 43')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Robinson (46'), Zouma (89' og.)

Live Commentary: Chelsea 2-2 Sheffield United - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live coverage as Sheffield United fight back to earn a 2-2 draw against Chelsea in Saturday's Premier League game in West London.
2

Chelsea have been held to a 2-2 draw by Sheffield United in Saturday's Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge.

Frank Lampard's side had appeared to be on their way to a comfortable three points after two first-half goals from Tammy Abraham.

However, the Blades halved the deficit through Callum Robinson immediately after the restart, before Kurt Zouma sliced an inswinging cross into his own net in the final minute of normal time.

Find out how all of the action unfolded in West London courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.


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Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Chelsea and Sheffield United. Despite the gulf in size between the two clubs, they have each registered four points from their opening three fixtures. However, it is the visitors who will be more pleased with their start to the campaign.

As the two teams make their way out onto the pitch, let's see who features in each starting lineup...


CHELSEA XI: Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Tomori, Palmieri; Jorginho, Kovacic; Pulisic, Barkley, Mount; Abraham

CHELSEA SUBSTITUTES: Caballero, Christensen, Alonso, Gilmour, Willian, Giroud, Batshuayi


SHEFFIELD UNITED XI: Henderson; Basham, Egan, O'Connell; Baldock, Freeman, Norwood, Lundstram, Stevens; McBurnie, Robinson

SHEFFIELD UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Moore, Stearman, Besic, Osborn, McGoldrick, Mousset, Sharp


KICKOFF:  Sheffield United get us underway!

It has been a solid start from both sides. Chelsea were initially looking to make all of the early running, but Sheffield United have looked confident on the ball after winning possession.

Chelsea are back on the ball now, and they are spraying it about with confidence. The visitors are focusing on defending right now, but it doesn't look like they intend on remaining on the edge of their own 18-yard box.

The home side are starting to dominate. Abraham is unfortunate not to get a shot away after controlling the ball on the edge of the area, while Azpilicueta's cross from the right needs to be headed away by a defender.

Just like that, a long diagonal ball leads to Sheffield United winning a corner on the left. Basham's delivery is decent, but Abraham is able to help the ball away.

The visitors have had the better of the last couple of minutes. Chelsea had concerns over the fitness of Zouma, who are barged off the pitch and into the advertising boards by McBurnie, but the Frenchman looks fine to continue.

Sheffield United continue to grow in confidence at Stamford Bridge. They do not necessarily look like scoring, but they are having the better of the action.

Chelsea have got themselves back on the ball, although there isn't a lot of ambition to go forward again at this stage. Wilder will no doubt be the happier of the two managers after the first 15 minutes.

We are still awaiting the first shot of any note. Abraham just dragged a tame effort wide of the far post, but the academy graduate would have been flagged offside.

SHOT!  This was ambitious to say the least. Freeman turns around 35 yards from goal and sends a strike harmlessly wide of Arrizabalaga's right-hand post.

GOAL!  CHELSEA 1-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED (TAMMY ABRAHAM)

Tammy Abraham celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Sheffield United in the Premier League on August 31, 2019.© Reuters


GOAL!  Chelsea take the lead! Abraham's initial header is weak and should be dealt with by Henderson, but pressure from Pulisic leads to a fumble from the goalkeeper. The ball went straight into the path of Abraham, who fired the rebound into an empty net from eight yards.

The home side are playing with much more of a swagger, aware that the visitors may be there for the taking. Wilder is on the touchline attempting to lift his players.

Sheffield United have slightly retreated, likely in a bid to avoid Chelsea quickly netting a second. They don't need to be overly negative because they have performed well during the opening quarter of this contest.

SHOT!  Better from the Yorkshire side as Basham is given the chance to get a volley on goal after Chelsea fail to clear. However, the defender's effort is sliced horribly wide of the target.

While Chelsea haven't exactly set the world alight in this game, Lampard will be satisfied with the discipline being shown by his team. That wasn't the case in the previous home encounter against Leicester City.

Sheffield United win their second corner of the match, but the delivery fails to be the first man. Given the size of their task this afternoon, that's a bit of a waste.

Pulisic advances forward through the centre, only to be hauled down on the edge of the area. Chance here for Chelsea...

That chance soon disappears as Barkley sends a shot into the wall.

Zouma picks up another knock, this time from a challenge in the air. The Frenchman again shakes it off, but he is in the wars this afternoon!

We are going through somewhat of a lull in the game. Neither side can get anything going in the middle third of the pitch, leading to some comfortable moments for the defenders.

SHOT!  Kovacic bursts into life on the edge of area, taking the ball past a couple of defenders to advance into the box. However, from an acute angle, the Croatia international fires the ball wide of the far post.

CHANCE!  It should be 1-1. Basham gets down the right to volley a pass across the area for Robinson, who has found some space at the back post. However, the summer arrival can only send a diving header wide of the far post.

Sheffield United are back having the better of this game. Chelsea haven't really got out of second gear, and it has only encouraged the visitors.

GOAL!  CHELSEA 2-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED (TAMMY ABRAHAM)

GOAL!  They aren't anymore. Sheffield United make another mistake at the back and it again leads to a Chelsea goal. Two defenders go for the same ball and only contribute to gifting Abraham the chance to get in behind. The striker needs to react quickly, but he takes a touch before firing a half-volley into the bottom corner.

YELLOW CARD!  McBurnie goes into the book for what appears to be dissent. There will be one minute of added-on time.

HALF TIME:  Chelsea 2-0 Sheffield United

The half-time whistle goes at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea lead thanks to those two goals from Abraham. Based on general play, you have to say that it has been pretty even, but two avoidable mistakes in the Sheffield United defence have gifted Chelsea their goals.

LATEST! We are also providing full coverage of Manchester City's fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion. Click here to see how the Premier League champions have opened up a two-goal advantage.

A quick reminder of the two benches...

CHELSEA SUBSTITUTES: Caballero, Christensen, Alonso, Gilmour, Willian, Giroud, Batshuayi

SHEFFIELD UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Moore, Stearman, Besic, Osborn, McGoldrick, Mousset, Sharp


KICKOFF:  Chelsea get us back underway.

GOAL!  CHELSEA 2-1 SHEFFIELD UNITED (CALLUM ROBINSON)

Callum Robinson celebrates scoring his first Sheffield United goal against Chelsea in the Premier League on August 31.© Reuters


GOAL!  Less than a minute after the restart, Sheffield United are back in it! Stevens does well down the left before producing a low cutback for Robinson, who directs a first-time effort into the far corner from 10 yards out. Game on!

Lampard will be absolutely furious with that. He would have had his eyes on a first clean sheet as Chelsea boss, but his team simply weren't focused from the kickoff.

We are going to have a break in play after a collision between Kovacic and Norwood. Both players look ok, but they will require treatment.

We are back underway, and Sheffield United really fancy this. The character of this Chelsea side is again being put to the test.

Chelsea aren't being given any time on the ball in their own defensive third. Wilder has clearly instructed his side to press relentlessly in a bid to force mistakes. It feels the right tactic at this stage.

CHANCE!  Almost a hat-trick for Abraham. A pass is volleyed into the penalty area and the striker gets ahead of his marker to get a first-time effort on goal, but Henderson sticks out a leg to make the save.

SHOT!  It's Barkley's turn to get a shot away, but the midfielder's left-footed attempt is comfortably saved by Henderson. This game is becoming increasingly open.

SUBSTITUTION! Chelsea make their first chance as Willian replaces Barkley.

Something has to give in this match. Both teams look threatening as soon as they enter the final third. Chelsea looked comfortable at the back in the first half, but they are lacking composure now.

SUBSTITUTION! Sheffield United make a switch of their own. McGoldrick has come on for McBurnie.

Chelsea are effectively playing on the break now as Sheffield United look to commit more men forward. It's a similar pattern to the second half of Chelsea's previous home game against Leicester.

The home side could perhaps benefit from Giroud replacing Abraham. The latter has enjoyed another productive afternoon, but he isn't holding the ball up for his team.

Sheffield United come again with O'Connell delivering a fine low cross towards the near post, but Zouma gets across to make the necessary interception. Nothing came from the resulting corner.

SHOT!  More good play from Sheffield United as space is created for Norwood to shoot from distance. It's a decent strike, but Arrizabalaga makes a comfortable stop.

Chelsea aren't necessarily under the cosh here, but they are being made to fight for every ball by the visitors. Sheffield United have been excellent in this second half.

As we enter the final 15 minutes, it feels like there is still another decisive goal in this contest. It's been a competitive contest from start to finish. To Chelsea's credit, they are still pushing for a third despite spending plenty of time on the back foot.

Chelsea are doing a better job of gaining some time on the ball, but they are still making silly mistakes when attempting a final pass. The visitors are ready to commit men forward once they have got possession back.

SUBSTITUTION! Sheffield United make another change as Mousset comes on for Freeman.

SHOT!  Mousset makes an immediate impact, setting up Stevens on the edge of the area. The left wing-back's shot is deflected towards goal, but Arrizabalaga reacts to make a fairly routine save.

SUBSTITUTIONS! This is extremely bold from Lampard. Batshuayi is coming on for his first minutes of the season and Gilmour is coming on for his debut! Kovacic and Abraham are the players to make way.

SUBSTITUTION! Sheffield United also make their final switch as Osborn replaces Basham.

SHOT!  Gilmour does well to win a free kick for Chelsea on the flank. The resulting set piece is cleared into the path of Mount who is waiting on the edge of the area, but the midfielder's volley goes wide of the target.

CHANCE!  Back come Sheffield United and Zouma has to be alert to make a timely block to prevent Robinson's shot on the turn going on target.

GOAL!  CHELSEA 2-2 SHEFFIELD UNITED (KURT ZOUMA OWN GOAL)

GOAL!  Sheffield United have equalised! Robinson's inswinging corner from the left is excellent and Zouma - under pressure from Mousset - can only slice the ball into the far corner.

There will be four minutes of added-on time.

It looks like that could be that. Chelsea are attempting to rally, but I think the visitors are going to see this one out.

FULL TIME:  Chelsea 2-2 Sheffield United

The full-time whistle goes at Stamford Bridge and Lampard has been left waiting for his first home win as Chelsea boss after a fine comeback from Sheffield United. Despite Chelsea holding a two-goal advantage at the break, the visitors deserve their point in West London.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this afternoon, and we hope to see you again soon.

If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.


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Ross Barkley celebrates scoring for Chelsea on July 23, 2019
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