Chelsea’s hopes of climbing to seventh place in the league were dashed after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Sheffield United on April 7.
Despite their recent 4-3 victory against Manchester United, Mauricio Pochettino’s team failed to capitalize on their momentum against Chris Wilder’s relegation-threatened side.
The match started positively for the visitors when Thiago Silva, making a rare start, scored in the 11th minute from Conor Gallagher’s corner.
However, Sheffield United equalized in the 32nd minute through Jayden Bogle’s powerful shot past Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.
The Blades almost took the lead early in the second half, but Oli McBurnie’s header narrowly missed the target from Ben Brereton Diaz’s cross.
Chelsea regained the lead in the 66th minute with a fine strike from Noni Madueke, cutting inside onto his left foot to find the net.
However, Sheffield United fought back and secured a last-minute draw in the 90+3rd minute when McBurnie capitalized on defensive errors from Chelsea.
The draw was a reality check for Chelsea, who had been boosted by their recent win against Manchester United.
Despite climbing to ninth place in the league, trailing eighth-placed Newcastle United by three points, some fans expressed frustration and called for Pochettino’s dismissal.
The draw against Sheffield United was Chelsea’s eighth in 30 league games, hindering their progress in closing the gap on their European qualification rivals.
The match highlighted the inconsistencies that have plagued Pochettino’s side throughout the season.
Former Blues defender Jason Cundy emphasized the need for Chelsea players to take responsibility and improve their performance.
He praised Madueke as one of the standout performers, despite his limited game time under Pochettino, citing his brilliant goal and lively display at Bramall Lane.
