'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Frank Lampard was denied his first home victory as Chelsea boss by a stubborn Sheffield United, who scored two goals in the second half to rescue a valuable point against the Blues.
Tammy Abraham powered his side to a 2-0 cushioned lead before the sides headed into the tunnel, but Callum Robinson and a 89th minute Kurt Zouma own-goal salvaged a point for the Blades, who have now accumulated five points from their first four fixtures - as many as Chelsea and Manchester United.
Chelsea began well and slotted two past a hapless Dean Henderson, but the second half almost entirely belonged to the visitors. As a result, the hosts, who hold a stellar record against newly-promoted sides at home, succumbed to a disappointing draw.
Lots to think for Lampard and co. after the international break in terms of the defensive setup, but for now, we look at the major talking points from the 2-2 draw between Chelsea and Sheffield United.
#1 Lampard drops Christensen to the bench in favor of Tomori
Lampard more or less stuck to the same side that earned him his first competitive victory as Blues' boss, barring the inclusion of 21-year-old academy graduate Fikayo Tomori.
Kepa Arrizabalaga continued in goal, while Emerson and club skipper Cesar Azpilicueta manned the full backs spots. Joining Kurt Zouma at the heart of defense was Tomori, who was probably Derby County's sturdiest center-half last season.
In N'Golo Kante's absence, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic occupied the central midfield area, with Ross Barkley slightly ahead of them in a free role. Mason Mount was tasked with attacking down the left, while Christian Pulisic took charge of the right flank. Tammy Abraham was once again preferred to Olivier Giroud upfront.
From how Chelsea setup, it looked like Emerson and Azpilicueta aimed at not allowing the opposition full backs to advance forward or squeeze in and let the center backs overlap. The Blues, understandably, enjoyed the major chunk of possession in the opening 15 minutes.
#2 Chelsea perseverance pays off as Abraham strikes
Unlike other fixtures, the hosts didn't begin at the usual frenetic speed at which they've begun their matches. Against a side that endured 21 shut-outs in 46 games in the Championship last season, it was always going to a monumental task early on.
As aforementioned, Azpilicueta and Emerson got on the back of a few inspiring spells of play, but by then, the Blades managed to ploy bodies back and defend in numbers. Most significantly, a lot of passes were exchanged between the Chelsea's back four due to a packed midfield.
Patience was the name of the game, before the Blues began to apply themselves a bit more, play with freedom, execute the little tricks and flicks, and build momentum with each pass.
On the back of a couple of fine interchanges between Pulisic and Barkley, who was at the heart of the move, the ball was fed by the former to an ever-willing Azpilicueta. The 30-year-old played a loopy cross into the middle.
Abraham won the aerial battle, but Sheffield United glove worker Dean Henderson spilled it out of his bucket. The Chelsea number 9 then, alive to the moment, lashed on to it to fire his team ahead.
#3 Sheffield effect their style but Abraham pounces on another
Before we move on, let's understand Sheffield United's unique approach to attacking. They start out with a 3-5-2, but the likes of Egan and Chris Basham venture forward on the outside of the full backs, leaving the wider defenders narrower. Two out of the three midfielders peddle back, while the forwards straightaway storm into the 18-yard box.
The Blades' central defenders were freed up by their colleagues quite a few times, most notably when Robinson scuffed his header wide off the Chelsea goal. After a promising build-up, Sheffield completely opened up their opponents on the left, with Basham whipping in a delightful cross.
The tricky Robinson, who displayed some gorgeous movement with the ball, failed to find the right connection.
Unfortunately for Wilder, two of his center-backs experienced major miscommunication, went for the same ball together and a failed clearance led to Abraham and Chelsea's second of the afternoon - just four minutes after the Robinson's mistimed header.
Two goals, both due to the silliest of errors one would label. Not what is ideal when you travel to Stamford Bridge.
#4 Is Cesar Azpilicueta past his best?
Since the start of the season, Chelsea's defense, and more so Cesar Azpilicueta, has been under the pump a little bit. The right back was a fault for two of the goals conceded against Manchester United, the one against Leicester City, and another against Norwich City.
At the moment, he seems to be extremely industrious while going forward because of the way Chelsea setup, but the Spaniard has seen himself beaten time and time again, both in one-versus-one situations and in the positional sense.
The spotless nature seen from his side over the last five years or so seems to be missing at the moment, as Azpilicueta has endured significant lapses in concentration so far this season.
The home team started the second 45 minutes in the most casual fashion; allowing Sheffield to press them quicker. The Blades earned a throw, and Azpilicueta was undone way too easily by Stevens.
It was however, a well-taken goal by Callum Robinson, who opened his body up and seamlessly put the ball beyond Kepa, who's yet to keep a clean sheet this season.
Zouma again, had to do a lot better in perceiving what did eventually come his way in the form of a cross. The Frenchman was nowhere near the Sheffield forward.
#5 Wilder's half time team talk pays off as Sheffield sting Chelsea late
Throughout the course of the second half, Chelsea looked largely uncomfortable and awkward while defending. Not what you'd expect at home, with two goals already netted.
However, Sheffield grew into the game as the minutes wore on and enjoyed a host of chances through the likes of Stevens, O'Connell and Robinson. To say the least, Chelsea appeared very slow in the build-up and looked disjointed.
At home, with all the support, they should've moved the ball around better and played with a bit more urgency when spaces where available. The likes of Mount and Kovacic didn't get onto the ball as much as they would have liked, as Chelsea continuously lost out on the ball.
Apart from a superb header from Abraham that saw a jaw-dropping stop from Henderson, Chelsea never really looked like adding a third to the scoresheet. As hinted in the previous matches, the Blues don't really trigger a two-goal cushion.
It was visible in the games against Leicester and Norwich, and now against Sheffield as well. These three games, you'd say, should have been sealed.
Nonetheless, credit has to be given to Chris Wilder's side for sticking to their basics, pressing hard and not lifting their foot off the pedal despite being two down.
