Sheffield United 2-2 Chelsea: McBurnie grabs late equaliser as Blues continue to stutter
Sheffield United striker Ollie McBurnie scored a stoppage-time equaliser to secure a 2-2 draw at home to Chelsea in his team's Premier League survival battle on Sunday.
The Blades remain at the bottom of the table with 16 points after seven games, nine points behind Nottingham Forest in 17th, while Chelsea are ninth on 44 points after extending their league unbeaten streak to seven games.
Until McBurnie's late goal, it appeared that the hosts would suffer another defeat.
United's flaws were exposed in the 11th minute when Chelsea defender Thiago Silva was left unmarked at a corner to score, but Jayden Bogle equalised in the 32nd minute.
Gustavo Hamer sliced open the Blues defence with a superb pass to Bogle, who beat keeper Djordje Petrovic at the near post, prompting wild celebrations from the home crowd.
United came out strong in the second half, creating several chances to take the lead, including McBurnie's header that went just wide in the 49th minute and Hamer's curl into the side netting with the outside of his boot five minutes later.
However, United's defence was caught off guard again in the 66th minute when Cole Palmer found Noni Madueke, who cut in from the right and fired high past Ivo Grbic to put Chelsea back ahead.
Again, the Blades poured forward, and their perseverance paid off when McBurnie scored from close range three minutes into stoppage time after reacting quickly to a ball into the box.
The home team had a great chance to take all three points late on, but they failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage on a late counter-attack, resulting in a draw.
"There's still plenty of games to play and it about building on the performances. We are not looking too far ahead," goal-scorer McBurnie said in a post-match TV interview.
"Last few games, we have been there or thereabouts. The boys put in excellent effort against Liverpool, and now it is nice to get something for the fans."
Chelsea were brought back to earth after winning in the 11th minute of stoppage time against Manchester United in midweek when they conceded a late equaliser.
"There is some positives for sure, but this is our Achilles heel, the next game after a top result - we haven't been able to do well in that department so far," a dejected Madueke said in a TV interview.
SportsLigue