Chelsea 4-1 Sheffield United: comfortable win for Blues leaves Sheff Utd last

Chelsea came from behind to comfortably beat Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge, leaving the visitors at the bottom of the Premier League on another frustrating night for Chris Wilder’s side.

But Tammy Abraham’s worn half volley bounced off Aaron Ramsdale to tie Chelsea, before Ben Chilwell touched a Hakim Ziyech cross at the back post.

Ziyech was a supplier again after the break when Thiago Silva headed a free kick at the near post, before Timo Werner added a fourth.

The result leaves Sheffield United with one point from their first eight games, while Chelsea move up to third place, one point behind leaders Southampton.

The rotten form of Sheff Utd continues

Sheffield United started the day propping up the Premier League table by following Burnley Draw in Brighton on Friday and they won’t have a chance to move out of the fund for another 15 days.

It has been a disappointing start for the Blades and any hope of turning things around at Stamford Bridge seemed to evaporate before the break.

McGoldrick’s delightful play gave them a surprising advantage (it was Chelsea’s first goal in 459 minutes), but led the visitors to drop the ball deeper rather than play off the front foot.

The Blues took advantage, exploiting their opponents’ vulnerability and testing goalkeeper Ramsdale with constant deliveries to the penalty area.

Ramsdale himself had a few nervous moments: the hesitation over Chilwell’s goal, the save that was almost bounced by Werner and a fumble from a Ziyech cross in the second half.

Sheffield United, who were able to keep the score low against Manchester City on October 31, failed to do the same at Stamford Bridge and offered very little threat going forward.

The international break potentially comes at a good time for the Blades, following the defeats of Liverpool and Arsenal, as well as City and Chelsea, in the last month.

It will be a crucial period when they return as well, as they face 15th-ranked West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion, who are third from the queue before hosting Tottenham on Sunday.

Ziyech ‘first-class’ impresses

Three of Chelsea’s new signings were on the record, but it was another summer recruit who stole the show in West London on Saturday.

Ziyech, who received two assists, showed his quality with countless deliveries to the area from set pieces and a variety of exquisite passes.

He was involved in setting up the first goal and his deep cross caused problems for Ramsdale minutes later and the ball was stopped in the way of Werner, who slid to crash against the crossbar.

Another ball from Ziyech, nearly identical to the previous one, bounced off Chilwell after Ramsdale failed to make it 2-1, and Silva headed the Moroccan’s free kick.

The midfielder could also have put in some more. His sublime ball through Werner was cut to inches wide by the former RB Leipzig player, who gave Ziyech a big thumbs-up in return.

Coach Frank Lampard praised Ziyech afterward, describing the 27-year-old as a “first-class player.”

“Starting to run as he has done has been extraordinary,” he added. “He will be a great player for us.”

More to follow.

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