Sheffield United vs Chelsea player ratings: David McGoldrick goals cap fine team performance
The Blues fell to a damaging defeat at Bramall Lane
Chelsea’s Champions League hopes suffered a damaging blow at Sheffield United on Saturday evening.
The Blades proved far too strong for the visiting Blues sending them packing back to west London after a hugely impressive 3-0 win.
David McGoldrick scored his first Premier League goal of the season in the first-half before Oli McBurnie headed home a second before half-time.
McGoldrick made sure of the points in the second-half with his second as the hosts kept their own European hopes well and truly alive.
Here are how the two teams rated at Bramall Lane:
Sheffield United
Dean Henderson – 6
Saved well from James and commanded area well in sunny conditions
Chris Basham – 7
Got forwarded well and defended stoutly as ever
John Egan – 7
Another strong performance for one of the best defenders in the Premier League this season
Jack O’Connell – 6
Stood up well to the physical test of Abraham
George Baldock – 6
Got forward well as Blades made the most of small amount of possession
Sander Berge – 7
January signing continues to show his class with another energetic display
Oliver Norwood – 6
Shielded his back three well to give others license to roam
Ben Osborn – 7
Continued his good run of form with another positive performance in the middle of the park
Enda Stevens – 6
Pushed on well as ever on the flank to give Chelsea plenty of problems
Oli McBurnie – 7
Ran his heart out as ever and took his goal, a powerful first-half header, superbly
David McGoldrick – 8
Scored a first goal of the season reacting first to a second ball in the box before adding a second after the break
Chelsea
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6
Couldn’t do anything about any of the goals with poor defending in front of him to blame
Reece James – 6
Got forward well and tested Henderson with a sharp shot but allowed too many dangerous balls into the box
Andreas Christensen – 5
Hooked at half-time after being culpable for both first-half goals
Kurt Zouma – 5
Equally to blame for the first-half goals, not reacting to the first and marking poorly for the second, before again defending badly for the third
Cesar Azpilicueta – 6
Pushed on but lacked his usually dependable delivery from out wide
Ross Barkley – 6
Showed plenty of energy but couldn’t dictate the play as he would’ve liked
Jorginho – 6
Couldn’t control the game and showed a lack of match sharpness in his first start of the restart
Mason Mount – 5
Another to be sacrificed at the break after a quiet showing as Lampard moved to a back three
Willian – 6
Couldn’t get close enough to Abraham and failed to get enough quality into the box from wide areas
Tammy Abraham – 5
Cut a solitary figure as he was often far too isolated from teammates
Christian Pulisic – 6
Chelsea’s spark was snuffed out for the most part as Blades executed a plan to nullify him well
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies