Follow the latest updates live from the Premier League clash between Chelsea and Sheffield United as the Blues look to maintain their return to winning ways at Stamford Bridge.
Life under Frank Lampard got off to a tricky start as Chelsea failed to win any of their first three matches under their former midfielder, but last time out the Blues finally got up and running with victory over Norwich City and will hope to back that up with another three points this afternoon.
Sheffield United have shown they will not be pushovers this season though and sit four places above Chelsea despite being level on points. Follow the live action below.
Chelsea 2 – 1 Sheffield United
Oh my! Mousset gets the ball into the box after beating Jorginho, He aims for Robinson who lets fly and wins a corner with his shot being deflected out of play.
Chelsea 2 – 1 Sheffield United
Gilmour is fouled by Baldock over on the right. Willian delivers it into the box, Henderson taps it away as far as Mount who strikes one wide of the post!
Chelsea 2 – 1 Sheffield United
18-year-old Billy Gilmour makes his first appearance for Chelsea to a raucous applause. Batshuayi also comes on. Kovacic and Abraham go off.
Chelsea 2 – 1 Sheffield United
The nerves around Stamford Bridge have ramped up since we’ve moved into the final ten minutes.
Enda Stevens gets the ball outside the box and takes a shot, it gets deflected and forces Kepa to get low to his right to make the save.
At the other end, Chelsea win a corner that comes into the box. Zouma wins the header and sends it over the bar!
Chelsea 2 – 1 Sheffield United
After being under pressure for the last ten minutes or so, Chelsea send Jorgninho and Pulisic into the Blades area but the two mid-fielders get into a tangle and Sheffield United boot the ball clear.
Chelsea 2 – 1 Sheffield United
Sheffield United have a corner. O’Connell plays a one-two with Freeman to get past Azpilicueta and put the ball into the near post. Robinson is searching for it but Zouma puts it behind.
The corner is poor and Kepa claims it. Sheffield United are in the ascendancy, Chelsea haven’t been good in this half.
Chelsea 2 – 1 Sheffield United
He’s had a quiet game today as McBurnie goes off with McGoldrick coming on for Sheffield United. It’s a like-for-like replacement.
Chelsea threaten to break as they storm forward on the counter attack, Abraham has the ball with Willian for company, he tries to play Willian into the box but O’Connell makes a vital interception as the pass is played in.
Chelsea 2 – 1 Sheffield United
Ross Barkley makes way for Willian as Chelsea make a change. He tries to make an impact immediately with a long ball up to Abraham but it’s easily intercepted.
Chelsea 2 – 1 Sheffield United
SAVE! Henderson keeps Sheffield United in the contest with a glorious one handed save. Azpilicueta, on the right hand side puts the ball into the box and Tammy Abraham gets in front of Egan, sends the ball towards goal and Henderson makes the save to deny him a hat-trick.
Chelsea 2 – 1 Sheffield United
Basham goes on a mad run and Chelsea look a little shocked as Azpilicueta and Kepa combine to boot the ball long.
Earlier Kovacic and Norwood clashed heads as they both went for a fifty-fifty ball, they’re both okay though.
Chelsea 2 – 0 Sheffield United
Second half: Chelsea restart the match, no changes from either side.
Chelsea 2 – 0 Sheffield United
Chelsea have a two goal lead but they haven’t dominated the game. Frank Lampard will want his side to create more chances.
Mistakes from the goalkeeper and the centre-backs allowed Tammy Abraham to score both goals.
Chelsea 1 – 0 Sheffield United
CHANCE! Out of nowhere Sheffield United get a good chance to equalise. Chris Basham is free on the right of Chelsea’s area, he volleys the ball into the area where Callum Robinson gets lo and meets it with a header right in front of goal.
He needs to do better as he heads it wide!
Chelsea 1 – 0 Sheffield United
CHANCE! Good link up play between Abraham and Kovacic on the edge of the 18-yard-box. Abraham gives the ball to Kovacic who drops his shoulder and gets into the box, he shoots back across goal but sends it wide of the far post.
Chelsea 1 – 0 Sheffield United
Stevens makes an error and gives away a dangerous free kick on the edge of the ‘D’ just right of centre. Barkley takes the free kick and hits the wall.
What time does it start?
Chelsea vs Sheffield United kicks off at 3pm on Saturday 31 August.
Where can I watch it?
The match will not be shown live on TV in the United Kingdom, with highlights on Match of the Day on BBC One at 10:30pm. Follow the live updates with The Independent’s blog throughout the afternoon.
Team news
Chelsea: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Tomori, Emerson; Jorginho, Kovacic; Pulisic, Barkley, Mount; Abraham
Subs: Caballero, Christensen, Alonso, Gilmour, Willian, Giroud, Batshuayi
Sheffield United: Henderson; Basham, Egan, O’Connell; Baldock, Freeman, Norwood, Lundstram, Stevens; McBurnie, Robinson
Subs: Moore, Sharp, McGoldrick, Stearman, Mousset, Osborn, Besic
Odds
Chelsea to win: 4/1
Sheffield United to win: 9/1
Draw: 15/4
