Nigeria’s duo of Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori sparkled but it was not enough for Chelsea to secure their first home win of the season, the Blues conceding a miserable late own goal at the Stamford Bridge to draw 2-2 with Sheffield United.
Frank Lampard will have to endure another wait to earn his first managerial triumph at the ground where he became a legendary player with Tammy Abraham’s pair of first half goals were canceled by two second half goals from the visitors to end a thrilling game in stalemate.
Chelsea were on their way to commanding victory after Tammy Abraham put the Blues 2 goals to the good heading to halftime break. But a sorry display in the second half allowed Sheffield United to grab two goals that ensured the match ended in a stalemate.
2 – Tammy Abraham is the first Englishman to score at least two goals in consecutive Premier League appearances for Chelsea since Frank Lampard in January 2010. Impression. pic.twitter.com/jUAcOvYNkW
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 31, 2019
Abraham, still eligible to feature for the Super Eagles, has now scored four goals in his last two games following his well-taken double in Chelsea’s 3-2 defeat of Norwich last week.
Chelsea manager Lampard made just one change in his team that edged that thrilling encounter against Norwich with Fikayo Tomori replacing Christensen in defence. Tammy Abraham also continued as the Blues primary striker after his brace last weekend.
Chelsea, fielding their youngest ever squad in their history (24 years, 158 days), started brightly but the momentum soon swung in favour of Sheffield United as the away side looked every part Chelsea’s equal.
But when it seemed that the Blues were losing grip of the game, they scored. It was that man again – Tammy Abraham – who did well to score his third goal in the last two matches! United’s goalie Henderson spilt the initial flick by Pulisic, but the ball fell to Abraham who finished coolly into an empty net. Embarrassing error from the goalkeeper.
The two teams traded chances as the game opened up after that Abraham breakthrough but it was Chelsea who made the crucial impact next just before half time.
Abraham, showing good awareness, drifted behind the away side’s defence to capitalize on a failed headed clearance and squeeze his right-footed effort under a diving Henderson! Chelsea 2-0 Sheffield United.
https://www.twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1167811695936528387
https://www.twitter.com/IFEontheMIC/status/1167820256854925313
It was just what the home fans hoped for heading to the break.
That first half arguably was fairly balanced in terms of run of play but, despite that, Chelsea headed into the half with a 2-0 lead with their defence showing a marked improvement after conceding in the first 45 minutes of all their games till this point.
Seconds into the second half and the Blues defence cracked open.
Stevens got to the byline on the left and cut a ball back right into the path of Robinson who opened his body, and finished into the right side of goal. 2-1 and the away side were back right in the game. How Stevens was able beat two Chelsea players on the left before providing that assist is the million dollar question Lampard will be boiling to ask his team after the game.
Chelsea longed once again for the security of a two-goal lead and after Henderson saved from Abraham, Lampard sent in William in place of Barkley, the midfielder well subdued by the opponents.
The Blades pressed for an equalizer but Chelsea were able to hold on to their slender lead. The Blues late on even had mild penalty shouts from when Pulisic went down in the penalty area, but it looked as though United’s Freeman did get the ball first and play continued.
But it was not to be Chelsea’s afternoon as a Kurt Zouma own goal secured an improbable draw for Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge. Robinson cut in from the left and curled in a cross that deflected off the shin of Zouma and into the back of the net.
