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Chelsea player ratings: Madueke lays down claims for permanent starting spot as Cucurella struggles against sharp Blades
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CHELSEA were left frustrated against Sheffield United as they were held to a 2-2 draw to fail to take advantage of results around them.
Thiago Silva had opened the scoring with a deft finish from a Conor Gallagher corner.
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But Sheffield United hit back through Jayden Bogle as he hit tapped home a Gustavo Hamer pass following a brilliant run behind the Blues defence.
Noni Madueke struck in the second half and appeared to have given Mauricio Pochettino's side a crucial win.
However, Oli McBurnie caught the Blues defence sleeping in injury time and buried a shot into the bottom corner to earn a vital point in the relegation battle.
They have not lost ground on sixth place Man Utd due to their draw with Liverpool, but beating the relegation threatened Blades should have been a crucial step towards chasing them down.
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Here's how SunSport's Tony Robertson rated the Blues at Bramall Lane.
Djordje Petrovic - 6
Did not cover himself in glory when trying to stop Bogle's shot as it squirmed past his legs.
Axel Disasi - 5
Once again not the most comfortable display from full-back.
Clearly plays better in a more central role so cannot be completely blamed for his poor display.
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Thiago Silva - 6
Back in the starting XI for the first time since February 12, and justified the decision with a deft finish from the veteran centre-back as he converted Conor Gallagher's corner.
Muscled out too easily when the Blades the ball down the channels but was bailed out by Caicedo.
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Trevor Chalobah - 6
A generally tidy performance but was caught flat footed in stepping up to try and deal with the flick on before McBurnie's effort.
Won six aerial duels with a 91 per cent completed pass rate.
Marc Cucurella - 4
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Lost his Gustavo Hamer as he made a run in behind before he squared the ball for Jayden Bogle's opener.
Failed to get going in the final third as well. Booked.
Moises Caicedo - 7
Bailed out Silva out with a crucial block that would have seen Sheffield United equalise earlier but also guilty of letting his marker loose and have an uncontested shot from range against Petrovic.
Made two tackles with two interceptions. A big defensive display.
Enzo Fernandez - 6
Far from his best display but created two chances for the Chelsea attack.
Long passing was less than optimal with just two completed from seven.
Conor Gallagher - 6
Pinpoint corner delivery for Silva's opener but otherwise another display where he got stuck in all over without much impact.
Cole Palmer - 6
Relatively quiet game for the midweek hat-trick hero.
Chipped in with an assist but most of the good work was done by goalscorer Madueke. Subbed after 74 minutes.
Noni Madueke - 8
5
Largely on the periphery for much of the game but made some dangerous runs in the first half including one run from the byline that stung the palms of Ivo Grbic.
His endeavour was awarded in the second half as he cut inside from the right wing before thundering a shot into the roof of the net.
Nicolas Jackson - 7
Loose with a lot of his hold up play against the Blades backline.
Subs
Carney Chukwuemeka (on for Palmer, 74 mins) - 6
Failed to influence the game the same way he has influenced some previous matches he has come off the bench for.
Mykhailo Mudryk (on for Madueke, 82 mins) - 6
Ineffective.
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Benoit Badiashile (on for Cucurella, 93 mins) - 5
Caught napping when McBurnie peeled off to score United's second.
Cesare Casadei (on for Jackson, 93mins) - 5
Lost his man too easily before the Blades scored their equaliser.
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