Post by deadbat on Sept 1, 2019 11:17:48 GMT
Spoken word below and audio versions here also
Pre match Podcast - soundcloud.com/tufty-club/tufty-club-pre-chelsea
Post match Podcast - soundcloud.com/tufty-club/tufty-club-reaction-chelsea-away
United remain unbeaten away from home after a superb comeback at Stamford Bridge. 2-0 down at the break after a Tammy Abraham double mainly due to defensive mistakes, the visitors could have gone under but came roaring back and thanks to Callum Robinson’s goal gave themselves a chance. They continued to have a go and got their reward when Kurt Zouma turned in Robinson’s cross under pressure from sub Lys Mousset. A tremendous point at one of the ‘big six’ and one that should give Wilder’s men confidence they can really compete at this level.
United made one change from the game that started against Leicester with Oli McBurnie coming in for David McGoldrick. There was also a place in the matchday squad for Mousset with Ravel Morrison not involved. Chelsea started with former Championship loanees that United were familiar with in Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount. Christian Pulisic also began the game.
The Blades kicked away from their 3,000 away following behind half of one of the goals, but had to concede possession and territory early on. Chelsea were moving the ball about and United twice had to be alert to deny Abraham getting in. Barkley and Mount were seeing a lot of the ball and Jorginho was controlling things in front of the defence. United could not really get up the field and were sloppy with the ball when they did have it. Barkley had a header wide and then Pulisic nearly got behind but Basham got his foot in. United won a corner in a rare break away but the corner did not beat the first man. Abraham then was played in by a long ball over the top from Tomori beating the offside trap but pulled his shot wide.
Freeman had a shot off target on another United counter but it was the home side controlling things even if they had not created too much. A goal came though just as it did last week due to another defensive howler. Barkley’s cleaver backheel but Pulisic in who ran at the Blades defence, switched the ball wide to Azpilicueta whose cross was met by Abraham who outjumped Egan. The ball seemed to be routine for Henderson but under pressure from Pulisic he could not gather the ball and it popped out and before anyone could react ABRAHAM fired down and through the keeper’s legs into the net. It was a really sloppy goal to concede but another goal for the on form young striker.
The next period saw Chelsea continue to dominate the ball and move United around with O’Connell and then Egan making errors that led to another spell of possession for the home team. Basham sliced a poor effort well wide but Chelsea came again with nice interchange leading to Kovacic getting in, jinking around O’Connell and firing just wide with Henderson beaten. Once again there had been no pressure on the ball in midfield and the defence were now getting pulled about.
After this United had their best and only real chance of the half. Good patient build up saw Norwood, Baldock and then Lundstram involved. He put a great ball over the right-hand channel towards Basham who pirouetted and put a great cross over that seemed perfect for Robinson but his stooping header went wide.
This miss was to be prove really costly as Chelsea doubled their lead just before the break. It was an innocuous ball from Jorginho but Egan and O’Connell got in each other’s way and neither dealt with it and between them headed it up into the air. ABRAHAM was on it and fired a shot into the corner. Henderson got a hand on it and would have been disappointed again in his part in the goal.
Mount then had a shot that deflected just wide as Basham blocked his effort as Chelsea now threatened to run riot in a game, they had not had lots of chances but profited from defensive errors. The home team had controlled the game in terms of possession, control and forcing United back who had once again looked panicky with the ball but did not put the opposition under enough pressure when they had it.
After the break, United needed a response and as per the previous week seemed to be trying to play higher up the field positionally. They got a foothold back into the game with a well worked goal too. Stevens throw to Freeman was returned to him and he ran at the Chelsea defence, nutmegged Azpilicueta and put a low cross over that ROBINSON side footed home, after opening his body up. His first United goal clearly meant a lot to him and it was game on.
Chelsea tried to respond but the game was much more of a contest with Norwood and Lundstram seeing more of the ball and the United defenders quicker onto it. However, they nearly conceded a third and were indebted to their keeper to keep them in it.
A cross from the left was not cleared properly by Egan and Azpilicueta’s looped the ball over Freeman cleverly and his cross was met by Abraham who seemed to have claimed his hat trick but Henderson made a great low save to push it away. Lundstram was alert to clear the loose ball with a waiting Emerson set to pounce. United broke out with McBurnie holding it up and then playing in Robinson with a clever ball but the striker dragged his shot well wide.
Barkley had a low shot saved by Henderson after a meandering run across the box from the former Everton midfielder. McBurnie was replaced by McGoldrick for United and Willan came on for Barkley around the hour mark.
O’Connell came forward well and put a cross in which Tomori had to clear with Robinson waiting as United were really having a go now. Stevens beat Azpilicueta again down the left and moved it inside for Norwood whose shot was powerful but straight at Arrizabalaga.
Mousset came on for Freeman and almost had an instant impact as he drove down the right and beat his man before laying off for Stevens whose deflected effort had to be saved.
A flurry of changes came with Chelsea bringing on youngster Gilmour and Batshuayi for Kovacic and Abraham. The latter got a standing ovation from most of Stamford Bridge after another two-goal salvo. United put Osborn on for Basham and had a flat back four now with Osborn on the left of midfield and had three strikers on the pitch as they sought a late leveller.
Chelsea had a chance when Mount nearly got on the end of Henderson’s punch out but shot wide. It was end to end now as United were committing a number of men forward. Mousset did well again and the ball came over Osborn fed Robinson whose shot was blocked leading to a corner.
United got their equaliser when Stevens and Norwood moved it up the field and the ball was played into the left-hand channel for Robinson. He checked back inside and sent over a delightful cross towards Mousset who looked to turn it home but the ball went in off ZOUMA (OG) giving the keeper no chance. The Blades fans behind the goal went absolutely potty. From two goals behind, they had come back to seemingly snatch an unlikely point.
There was to be four minutes of added time and Chelsea had a half-hearted appeal for a penalty and the referee did seem to be doing a VAR check but nothing came of it. United kept the ball well, winning a throw and then a foul to help take the sting out of anything. United’s defence won a final header and the final whistle came not long after.
United – What a great point. Last time we were at this level we never got anything at the big teams who were up there and never looked remotely closely. Firstly, due to Warnock’s negative approach but also due to the inferior players I feel we had then. I believe the Premier League is better now and so we have to be even better. Today, we showed we can live with these sorts of teams but as Wilder said we need to believe in ourselves more. Of course, we need to cut out some stupid mistakes but these mistakes I feel come from playing like we did do in the first half.
Cliché of course but really was a game of two halves. I heard a lot of people say at half time it had just been two mistakes and we missed a good chance of course but we did show them far too much respect. They had all the ball and so much time and a lot of the time balls played into the forwards were too easy. The strikers did not close down, the midfield did not press and the defence sat back. It was all too easy. They actually showed it on Match of the Day and how far we sat off good players like Kovacic, Emerson, Barkley, Pulisic, Mount etc. They had all the time in the world to run at us or pick the bass. When we had it, it became like a hot potato and we just gave it away. I thought McBurnie was a non-factor but Norwood was not on the ball at all and we just did not get up the field.
They did not have loads of opportunities and that was the frustrating thing but you did feel a goal may come if we carried on sitting off and not pressing the ball. The goals were stupid errors. Henderson needs to do better on the first and take the lot out to get that and needs to be stronger. He also should get a firmer hand on the second goal. The defenders on both were poor with no pressure on the ball out wide and then Abraham winning a header easily and reacting quicker than anyone to score for the first. The second saw two players go for it and neither dealt with it. I felt it was O’Connell’s ball as he was coming onto it and in his area but he bumped into Egan and nobody cleared it and again like we saw with Vardy last week, it is in the net.
At half time I was really disappointed and felt it was exactly the same as last time we were up here giving teams too much respect, poor errors and barely a threat the other way – although Robinson with our only real chance should score. If he does, then it is 1-1 probably at half time. I did feel 2-0 was about right regardless of the errors, on the actual play and control Chelsea had.
Second half was completely different. Sure, they had chances and quite a few on the break as we attacked but so did, we and after we scored a well taken goal – you felt either team could score the next goal. To use a Wilderism, it was a ‘proper contest.’ We got in their faces more and moved up the field but it was more than that, we played the ball around and the wing backs got higher up. Norwood and Lundstram got on the ball, Robinson came alive after his goal. We forced them back and they were struggling. As the game went on, you thought could we get a leveller as they had been pushed back and Mousset and McGoldrick were on. They did have a few chances and Henderson made a great save and a few shots went wide but they were getting stretched the other way. We kept going and got the goal. After this heard a few wags shout ‘Go for the win!’ but we kept it tight and sensible in stoppage time.
As I say, a great point and second half performance. First half we have to do better and not sit off. It is hard with teams having quality and will have lots of the ball – especially the top 6. If you put them under pressure too much and engage, they can pick you off, if you get too tight so you have to find a balance. However, we did not get near them at times and it was practice game stuff. The mistakes though were not under that much pressure, Henderson maybe but you cannot do that at the top level. Watched MOTD and saw Burnley and Brighton make small errors and you are punished ruthlessly against the top teams. Flipping it the other way, huge credit to the team. The team of last time in the Premier League would have lost 3 or 4-0. I have no doubt about that as much as everyone talked about our never say die attitude under Warnock. This rarely happened away and certainly not against the big sides.
Today, we could have gone under but after half time the team fought and pressed and showed real togetherness but also passed it well 2nd half and moved them about. The subs made a difference as we had outlets up top and you just thought, ‘Could we?’ The goal was greeted by jubilant scenes. To go to multi billionaire club like Chelsea, albeit not with quite the stars they have had (and a young team) but still an expensive team on hugely superior wages to ours and stand toe to toe and get a deserved draw in the end was tremendous.
Before the break it was a huge point but it was more than that, it was the psychological aspect of showing if we are not scared and do get amongst teams we can compete and do not seem to be overawed. Cut out the silly mistake and we can be ok at this level. We now have a big game against Southampton who have picked up as late and that will not be easy but we have to start the game better and take the game to them on our own patch. Still, two away draws and one win, one defeat is a really solid start and as good as or better than most expected. We have to be pleased with how the opening month has gone so big credit to Wilder and the team.
Ratings:
Henderson 5.5/10 – He made one really good save second half that was superb and an easy-ish one low down but he made a really bad mistake on the first and maybe could have done better on the second. I still felt he should have done better last week on the first (stands two yards across to his right and Vardy does not even put it there). He needs to wake up a bit as he can do better for me than he has this season. His whole play has been a bit sloppy and his kicking has been woeful at times. I think he had set higher standards and needs to get back to them.
Baldock 7/10 – Thought he was fine. Like many he was a bit off the Chelsea players and not tight enough but he grew into the game and started to move further up the field. We saw more of Stevens going forward but he was very good in what he did defensively and I liked how he stuck to his task even if he did not show as much the other way.
Basham 7/10 – The best of the three centre backs by far. He recovered from last week and I thought was decent today and the only one getting tight to his man when they attacked. Made two good blocks first half and a number of other good interceptions. Did not get forward that much other than one wild shot and then the great run and cross which should have been a goal for Robinson.
O’Connell 6/10 – His first half was more like a 4 or a 5 and his second half more of a 7 to 7.5. Made a few mistakes and hesitant and felt on both goals he was slow to react to danger. He had to head the second clear even if he takes Egan out but seemed to be a miscommunication. Second half he won tackles, came out of defence and much more with it. Seemed to play higher up the field too.
Egan 6/10 – As above in terms of two different type performances in each half. He was sloppy on and off the ball and lost headers/challenges to Abraham who bullied him a bit for a young, lean kid. He lost the header on the first goal and then then the second he gets in O’Connell’s way (or O’Connell got in his way!) and a real mess. After this he improved and started to win things and control things more. The midfield helped them both out by having more control of the ball and pressing the pass more in the second half.
Stevens 7.5/10 – First half they had a few attacks down his side but he did not get much help from the midfield. He did ok and was not beat too much but they were attacking more down the middle. Did not see him much going forward as we were defending much of this half but after the break a different story. He made the first with a great run and had a number of other slalom type runs and played right up the field. Had a shot blocked, linked with a number of players and one of the features of our turnaround was his strong and forceful running and skilled link play.
Freeman 5.5/10 – Quiet game. He was not in it at all in the first half and other than one shot I am not sure he affected the game at all. He was not on the ball and did not press or harry off it. Thought he might have gone off at half time but he carried on and did a bit better second half and was more involved at times but not sure he created anything or had any real chances or even ran with it much. Will need to do better but he has had a decent start to his United career.
Norwood 6/10 – Mixed bag. First half never in it. He did not see the ball but also was sloppy when he did have a chance trying too much long stuff or giving it away. They ran off him and he did not do the defensive side failing to press or go with runners – watch the number of times they just ran through us or played an unopposed pass through the centre. Second half miles better. Got on the ball, linked with others and helped us move up the pitch. Played some good passed and involved in the better moves we had. He is a player than when we do not have the ball at the big teams, there is an argument that you might not play him (only v the really good teams) that is something to debate but unless we have the ball, it is hard for him to influence games and his defensive weakness of mobile, quick midfielder running by him, came to the fore again. I suppose the argument is he needs to just get on the ball more or we do but that is hard. His corners were really poor today.
Lundstram 7/10 – Our best midfielder again. First half he sat off and was not getting his foot in and attacking wide we did not see much of him or he did not get on it – but that was the same for the whole team. He still at least won a few tackles and second half he was much better and he really got stuck in and made so many key blocks or interceptions when they broke. All of a sudden, he looks quite mobile, athletic and at times quite quick over a few yards. Been really good so far this season.
McBurnie 5/10 – Never in the game really. He was an ineffectual as Robinson and McGoldrick were last week. We did not see much of the ball up the top but when he has played as a sub he has closed down and pressed and not given defenders a moment. He did not do that today. He was jogging too much for me and the defence had an easy ride. When he had it, he played one good ball to Robinson 2nd half and he was a bit better after the break but we improved even more when McGoldrick came on. After two great sub appearances, he has had two quite poor games when he has started.
Robinson 7.5/10 – Much improved after two quiet games where he was not a factor. First half he was like McBurnie and did not see it but he tried to keep giving us an outlet but the ball never got to him. He did not press enough though. After the break the goal he scored was well taken and this gave him a huge boost in confidence. He started to link with others, run behind and then had a few others chances, one dragged wide and one blocked. Involved in the second with a peach of a ball. Rivals Stevens and Lundstram as man of the match and for his assist and goal might just edge Enda for it.
Subs –
McGoldrick – Not really impacted us much this season so far so I was not surprised he was taken out. When he came on, he did link a bit but gave away a number of silly fouls giving them the chance to take the sting out of it. He did at least drop off and link a bit with others.
Mousset – Real spark off the bench. Ran at the defence two or three times, held the ball up and got behind them. Showed a good touch and was very direct. Nearly set up two chances and won a few corners from his pace and running. Then got in and put Zouma under pressure for the goal – it looked like he had scored and it was only an hour after the game we realised it was an OG but he was right there forcing him into it. Going to be a real asset off the bench the next few weeks as he builds up his match fitness.
Osborn – In the time he was on he did well, kept the ball and linked as we went for the late goal and defensively got a few blocks too. Will be a useful lad to play a number of positions and allows us to change shape as we did towards the end and can do a job whether we go for a goal or trying to keep it tight.
Manager Wilder 7.5/10 – First half we never started again but second half we were a different team. Is words and getting us higher up the pitch made a real difference. His subs all made a difference. At the moment his strikers seem to be playing in fits and bursts and none of them have made claimed the shirt yet – that is good but all have been a bit inconsistent with many doing better when coming on. He will want the defenders to cut out the stupid mistakes – the back three have all done it in the last few weeks and the keeper. I bet he was furious at half time but the response was excellent as we got tighter and also kept it better. Needs to make sure we start games better though.
Chelsea – First half played fairly well but we did make it easy for them. Got two scrappy goals but created a few other openings and moved us about. They did not really work up much of a sweat and played through us rather than behind us. We did not cope with their movement and they carried the ball well with good athletic midfielders who can dribble. They would have thought it would be a big win at the break but came out the 2nd half sloppy and never recovered. They did have chances on the break and could have finished it but never looked secure defensively. They conceded a lot more pressure and territory and United caused them problems. The late goal had been coming really in terms of how they had sat back and let us start to dictate to them. They will have been gutted to lose two points but showed naivety and maybe lack of quality in terms of not finishing us off.
Had a few missing in Kante, Loftus Cheek, Hudson Odoi and I suppose Lampard has to rely on youth due to the transfer ban but they do not fill you with the fear they did a few years ago, or even last season. Hazard was their talisman and now they are relying a lot on young talent, good young talent but still young. They will take time to show consistency and means they will have more days and results like this. They still have some good players but you feel they may struggle to crack the top 4 – and might be around the 5th-7th area this season as Lampard builds his own team. I am not convinced he is all that. He was learning on the job at Derby and will have made mistakes as all young managers do but he was quite fortunate to get such a big gig so early but his Chelsea connections and circumstances contrived to that of course. I am still unsure if it is too early for him as he has not really served an apprenticeship or any long tenure in a post.
Opposition man of the match – Abraham got the goals and was a theat. Mobile, decent in the air and a poacher. He will go on and be a good player and probably get in the England squad soon enough. Does help when you put two on a plate but he did take them. The rest of the team the midfield were very good in the first half with Barkley, Kovacic, Mount all lively but then many of these same players went off the boil second half and did not get on it and did not do the defensive side of the game. I like Willian and felt he was a threat when he came on carrying the ball. Love to see him in a red and white striped shirt! Stunned they do not start him as always liked him.
Opposition weak link – The defence were not great all game. Azpilicueta was sloppy all game and got beat a number of times by Stevens including the goal; also failed to stop the cross for the goal and so was maybe the main weak link. Zouma was not great and his own goal kind of summed up his day. I felt he made a few errors.
Referee / VAR review – Not anything obvious missed but he seemed to err on the side of home decisions and another who gave the fouls for players going to ground very easily. I felt the McBurnie booking (the only one) was ridiculous. His first real foul and did not seem to lead with the elbow to me. None of the goals were contentious although to my eyes he seemed to want to check our goals more than the Chelsea ones. Also a few VAR checks for them for penalties had the Blades fans worried especially the one in stoppage time. The great thing about scoring so late is they could not add lots more time on than the four they did.
Crowd / Day Out – United fans were loud and supportive although deflated at half time. The goal back gave us a new impetus and the level of support went up. Kept willing us forward and as the kids say, scenes when the goal went in with bodies flailing everywhere. Team and Wilder got a huge ovation as they came to us at the end.
The Chelsea fans were quiet throughout other than the odd blast of a song. Always dies make me laugh that they've gone from 12,000 crowds in the early 90s in a dilapidated ground to the support/ground they have now. The ground itself (my first visit side the relegation game in 1993) is big and modernish but not sure it has the wow factor of the other big UK grounds even 3 London ones could outdo it. I suppose at 40,000 It's actually comparable to our city rivals in size so clearly, they need to extend and upgrade.
The facilities in the away end were quite cramped and basic. We were in the upper tier and it was quite dangerous on the narrow steps going up. Inside there was not much room although they did serve Singha beer. Going in was odd as we went through 3 separate security points but I never got searched once....my mate did three times!
As you walk around the ground you get a sense of it being one of the big six with numerous merchandise stalls and many selling half and half Chelsea-SUFC scarves and some tourists were buying them! Indeed, we saw a fair few tourist types from all over the World. The result against a team they had never heard of probably did not suit the script!
It is busy around the ground and all the pubs/cafes are rammed. After the game it was great to see the despondent Chelsea fans slinking away as the Blades fans chants serenaded the Kings Road and the surrounding areas. '2-0 and you f****d it up!' got a particularly lusty airing! We also had 'You're just a s**t Derby County!' and the new/reworked Coutts song - 'Mousse there it is!' To hear one fan saying to his mate 'We've got to be seeing off relegation fodder like that!' was condescending but hilarious at the same time! Many near us gave us quite a bit of admiration. They looked well fed up on the way out.
The rest of day was good as is usually the case when you go away. I got to London from Donny at around 9am and met my mate Marc (listen to his dulcet tones on The Tufty Club) who had stayed over with his wife to watch some rubbish about Joseph and his fancy coyt. We headed up to Camden and had a walk down Regent's canal before going for a few pints near Primrose Hill at The Princess of Wales. Lovely sunny day so we soaked up a few rays and did the pre match Tufty Club podcast before heading South of the river to Putney Bridge. Had a few more beers and some lunch at a pub called The Boathouse next to the Wetherspoons...a lot of Blades were in here or drinking outside in the gorgeous weather. We then walked down the River to the Duke's Head and had another. We seemed to be drinking Beavertown neck oil exclusively for some reason. Slipped down nice anyway.
We then walked to the ground (25 mins) and past lots of posh shops and restaurants on Fulham Road and New Kings Road. We got to the ground around 2.30pm and were in for a final pint at 2.45pm.
After the game we walked away from the ground as it was really busy for the tube stations at Parsons Green and Fulham Broadway so waited for the crowds to disperse and got on further down the line. Had another beer at the Sun in Splendour near Portobello Road and did the second podcast before heading back to Kings Cross. We had a final beer near the station and then boarded the train home. I got in around 22.45pm and our game was just starting on Match of the Day after I sat on my settee. Delightful. A lovely day out and great to shock a big side and really show we belong. Hope we can do more of that in the games to come.
I am not sure I can make Watford but will be at Everton and hopefully a few more away games in the lead up to Xmas.
Pre match Podcast - soundcloud.com/tufty-club/tufty-club-pre-chelsea
Post match Podcast - soundcloud.com/tufty-club/tufty-club-reaction-chelsea-away
United remain unbeaten away from home after a superb comeback at Stamford Bridge. 2-0 down at the break after a Tammy Abraham double mainly due to defensive mistakes, the visitors could have gone under but came roaring back and thanks to Callum Robinson’s goal gave themselves a chance. They continued to have a go and got their reward when Kurt Zouma turned in Robinson’s cross under pressure from sub Lys Mousset. A tremendous point at one of the ‘big six’ and one that should give Wilder’s men confidence they can really compete at this level.
United made one change from the game that started against Leicester with Oli McBurnie coming in for David McGoldrick. There was also a place in the matchday squad for Mousset with Ravel Morrison not involved. Chelsea started with former Championship loanees that United were familiar with in Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount. Christian Pulisic also began the game.
The Blades kicked away from their 3,000 away following behind half of one of the goals, but had to concede possession and territory early on. Chelsea were moving the ball about and United twice had to be alert to deny Abraham getting in. Barkley and Mount were seeing a lot of the ball and Jorginho was controlling things in front of the defence. United could not really get up the field and were sloppy with the ball when they did have it. Barkley had a header wide and then Pulisic nearly got behind but Basham got his foot in. United won a corner in a rare break away but the corner did not beat the first man. Abraham then was played in by a long ball over the top from Tomori beating the offside trap but pulled his shot wide.
Freeman had a shot off target on another United counter but it was the home side controlling things even if they had not created too much. A goal came though just as it did last week due to another defensive howler. Barkley’s cleaver backheel but Pulisic in who ran at the Blades defence, switched the ball wide to Azpilicueta whose cross was met by Abraham who outjumped Egan. The ball seemed to be routine for Henderson but under pressure from Pulisic he could not gather the ball and it popped out and before anyone could react ABRAHAM fired down and through the keeper’s legs into the net. It was a really sloppy goal to concede but another goal for the on form young striker.
The next period saw Chelsea continue to dominate the ball and move United around with O’Connell and then Egan making errors that led to another spell of possession for the home team. Basham sliced a poor effort well wide but Chelsea came again with nice interchange leading to Kovacic getting in, jinking around O’Connell and firing just wide with Henderson beaten. Once again there had been no pressure on the ball in midfield and the defence were now getting pulled about.
After this United had their best and only real chance of the half. Good patient build up saw Norwood, Baldock and then Lundstram involved. He put a great ball over the right-hand channel towards Basham who pirouetted and put a great cross over that seemed perfect for Robinson but his stooping header went wide.
This miss was to be prove really costly as Chelsea doubled their lead just before the break. It was an innocuous ball from Jorginho but Egan and O’Connell got in each other’s way and neither dealt with it and between them headed it up into the air. ABRAHAM was on it and fired a shot into the corner. Henderson got a hand on it and would have been disappointed again in his part in the goal.
Mount then had a shot that deflected just wide as Basham blocked his effort as Chelsea now threatened to run riot in a game, they had not had lots of chances but profited from defensive errors. The home team had controlled the game in terms of possession, control and forcing United back who had once again looked panicky with the ball but did not put the opposition under enough pressure when they had it.
After the break, United needed a response and as per the previous week seemed to be trying to play higher up the field positionally. They got a foothold back into the game with a well worked goal too. Stevens throw to Freeman was returned to him and he ran at the Chelsea defence, nutmegged Azpilicueta and put a low cross over that ROBINSON side footed home, after opening his body up. His first United goal clearly meant a lot to him and it was game on.
Chelsea tried to respond but the game was much more of a contest with Norwood and Lundstram seeing more of the ball and the United defenders quicker onto it. However, they nearly conceded a third and were indebted to their keeper to keep them in it.
A cross from the left was not cleared properly by Egan and Azpilicueta’s looped the ball over Freeman cleverly and his cross was met by Abraham who seemed to have claimed his hat trick but Henderson made a great low save to push it away. Lundstram was alert to clear the loose ball with a waiting Emerson set to pounce. United broke out with McBurnie holding it up and then playing in Robinson with a clever ball but the striker dragged his shot well wide.
Barkley had a low shot saved by Henderson after a meandering run across the box from the former Everton midfielder. McBurnie was replaced by McGoldrick for United and Willan came on for Barkley around the hour mark.
O’Connell came forward well and put a cross in which Tomori had to clear with Robinson waiting as United were really having a go now. Stevens beat Azpilicueta again down the left and moved it inside for Norwood whose shot was powerful but straight at Arrizabalaga.
Mousset came on for Freeman and almost had an instant impact as he drove down the right and beat his man before laying off for Stevens whose deflected effort had to be saved.
A flurry of changes came with Chelsea bringing on youngster Gilmour and Batshuayi for Kovacic and Abraham. The latter got a standing ovation from most of Stamford Bridge after another two-goal salvo. United put Osborn on for Basham and had a flat back four now with Osborn on the left of midfield and had three strikers on the pitch as they sought a late leveller.
Chelsea had a chance when Mount nearly got on the end of Henderson’s punch out but shot wide. It was end to end now as United were committing a number of men forward. Mousset did well again and the ball came over Osborn fed Robinson whose shot was blocked leading to a corner.
United got their equaliser when Stevens and Norwood moved it up the field and the ball was played into the left-hand channel for Robinson. He checked back inside and sent over a delightful cross towards Mousset who looked to turn it home but the ball went in off ZOUMA (OG) giving the keeper no chance. The Blades fans behind the goal went absolutely potty. From two goals behind, they had come back to seemingly snatch an unlikely point.
There was to be four minutes of added time and Chelsea had a half-hearted appeal for a penalty and the referee did seem to be doing a VAR check but nothing came of it. United kept the ball well, winning a throw and then a foul to help take the sting out of anything. United’s defence won a final header and the final whistle came not long after.
United – What a great point. Last time we were at this level we never got anything at the big teams who were up there and never looked remotely closely. Firstly, due to Warnock’s negative approach but also due to the inferior players I feel we had then. I believe the Premier League is better now and so we have to be even better. Today, we showed we can live with these sorts of teams but as Wilder said we need to believe in ourselves more. Of course, we need to cut out some stupid mistakes but these mistakes I feel come from playing like we did do in the first half.
Cliché of course but really was a game of two halves. I heard a lot of people say at half time it had just been two mistakes and we missed a good chance of course but we did show them far too much respect. They had all the ball and so much time and a lot of the time balls played into the forwards were too easy. The strikers did not close down, the midfield did not press and the defence sat back. It was all too easy. They actually showed it on Match of the Day and how far we sat off good players like Kovacic, Emerson, Barkley, Pulisic, Mount etc. They had all the time in the world to run at us or pick the bass. When we had it, it became like a hot potato and we just gave it away. I thought McBurnie was a non-factor but Norwood was not on the ball at all and we just did not get up the field.
They did not have loads of opportunities and that was the frustrating thing but you did feel a goal may come if we carried on sitting off and not pressing the ball. The goals were stupid errors. Henderson needs to do better on the first and take the lot out to get that and needs to be stronger. He also should get a firmer hand on the second goal. The defenders on both were poor with no pressure on the ball out wide and then Abraham winning a header easily and reacting quicker than anyone to score for the first. The second saw two players go for it and neither dealt with it. I felt it was O’Connell’s ball as he was coming onto it and in his area but he bumped into Egan and nobody cleared it and again like we saw with Vardy last week, it is in the net.
At half time I was really disappointed and felt it was exactly the same as last time we were up here giving teams too much respect, poor errors and barely a threat the other way – although Robinson with our only real chance should score. If he does, then it is 1-1 probably at half time. I did feel 2-0 was about right regardless of the errors, on the actual play and control Chelsea had.
Second half was completely different. Sure, they had chances and quite a few on the break as we attacked but so did, we and after we scored a well taken goal – you felt either team could score the next goal. To use a Wilderism, it was a ‘proper contest.’ We got in their faces more and moved up the field but it was more than that, we played the ball around and the wing backs got higher up. Norwood and Lundstram got on the ball, Robinson came alive after his goal. We forced them back and they were struggling. As the game went on, you thought could we get a leveller as they had been pushed back and Mousset and McGoldrick were on. They did have a few chances and Henderson made a great save and a few shots went wide but they were getting stretched the other way. We kept going and got the goal. After this heard a few wags shout ‘Go for the win!’ but we kept it tight and sensible in stoppage time.
As I say, a great point and second half performance. First half we have to do better and not sit off. It is hard with teams having quality and will have lots of the ball – especially the top 6. If you put them under pressure too much and engage, they can pick you off, if you get too tight so you have to find a balance. However, we did not get near them at times and it was practice game stuff. The mistakes though were not under that much pressure, Henderson maybe but you cannot do that at the top level. Watched MOTD and saw Burnley and Brighton make small errors and you are punished ruthlessly against the top teams. Flipping it the other way, huge credit to the team. The team of last time in the Premier League would have lost 3 or 4-0. I have no doubt about that as much as everyone talked about our never say die attitude under Warnock. This rarely happened away and certainly not against the big sides.
Today, we could have gone under but after half time the team fought and pressed and showed real togetherness but also passed it well 2nd half and moved them about. The subs made a difference as we had outlets up top and you just thought, ‘Could we?’ The goal was greeted by jubilant scenes. To go to multi billionaire club like Chelsea, albeit not with quite the stars they have had (and a young team) but still an expensive team on hugely superior wages to ours and stand toe to toe and get a deserved draw in the end was tremendous.
Before the break it was a huge point but it was more than that, it was the psychological aspect of showing if we are not scared and do get amongst teams we can compete and do not seem to be overawed. Cut out the silly mistake and we can be ok at this level. We now have a big game against Southampton who have picked up as late and that will not be easy but we have to start the game better and take the game to them on our own patch. Still, two away draws and one win, one defeat is a really solid start and as good as or better than most expected. We have to be pleased with how the opening month has gone so big credit to Wilder and the team.
Ratings:
Henderson 5.5/10 – He made one really good save second half that was superb and an easy-ish one low down but he made a really bad mistake on the first and maybe could have done better on the second. I still felt he should have done better last week on the first (stands two yards across to his right and Vardy does not even put it there). He needs to wake up a bit as he can do better for me than he has this season. His whole play has been a bit sloppy and his kicking has been woeful at times. I think he had set higher standards and needs to get back to them.
Baldock 7/10 – Thought he was fine. Like many he was a bit off the Chelsea players and not tight enough but he grew into the game and started to move further up the field. We saw more of Stevens going forward but he was very good in what he did defensively and I liked how he stuck to his task even if he did not show as much the other way.
Basham 7/10 – The best of the three centre backs by far. He recovered from last week and I thought was decent today and the only one getting tight to his man when they attacked. Made two good blocks first half and a number of other good interceptions. Did not get forward that much other than one wild shot and then the great run and cross which should have been a goal for Robinson.
O’Connell 6/10 – His first half was more like a 4 or a 5 and his second half more of a 7 to 7.5. Made a few mistakes and hesitant and felt on both goals he was slow to react to danger. He had to head the second clear even if he takes Egan out but seemed to be a miscommunication. Second half he won tackles, came out of defence and much more with it. Seemed to play higher up the field too.
Egan 6/10 – As above in terms of two different type performances in each half. He was sloppy on and off the ball and lost headers/challenges to Abraham who bullied him a bit for a young, lean kid. He lost the header on the first goal and then then the second he gets in O’Connell’s way (or O’Connell got in his way!) and a real mess. After this he improved and started to win things and control things more. The midfield helped them both out by having more control of the ball and pressing the pass more in the second half.
Stevens 7.5/10 – First half they had a few attacks down his side but he did not get much help from the midfield. He did ok and was not beat too much but they were attacking more down the middle. Did not see him much going forward as we were defending much of this half but after the break a different story. He made the first with a great run and had a number of other slalom type runs and played right up the field. Had a shot blocked, linked with a number of players and one of the features of our turnaround was his strong and forceful running and skilled link play.
Freeman 5.5/10 – Quiet game. He was not in it at all in the first half and other than one shot I am not sure he affected the game at all. He was not on the ball and did not press or harry off it. Thought he might have gone off at half time but he carried on and did a bit better second half and was more involved at times but not sure he created anything or had any real chances or even ran with it much. Will need to do better but he has had a decent start to his United career.
Norwood 6/10 – Mixed bag. First half never in it. He did not see the ball but also was sloppy when he did have a chance trying too much long stuff or giving it away. They ran off him and he did not do the defensive side failing to press or go with runners – watch the number of times they just ran through us or played an unopposed pass through the centre. Second half miles better. Got on the ball, linked with others and helped us move up the pitch. Played some good passed and involved in the better moves we had. He is a player than when we do not have the ball at the big teams, there is an argument that you might not play him (only v the really good teams) that is something to debate but unless we have the ball, it is hard for him to influence games and his defensive weakness of mobile, quick midfielder running by him, came to the fore again. I suppose the argument is he needs to just get on the ball more or we do but that is hard. His corners were really poor today.
Lundstram 7/10 – Our best midfielder again. First half he sat off and was not getting his foot in and attacking wide we did not see much of him or he did not get on it – but that was the same for the whole team. He still at least won a few tackles and second half he was much better and he really got stuck in and made so many key blocks or interceptions when they broke. All of a sudden, he looks quite mobile, athletic and at times quite quick over a few yards. Been really good so far this season.
McBurnie 5/10 – Never in the game really. He was an ineffectual as Robinson and McGoldrick were last week. We did not see much of the ball up the top but when he has played as a sub he has closed down and pressed and not given defenders a moment. He did not do that today. He was jogging too much for me and the defence had an easy ride. When he had it, he played one good ball to Robinson 2nd half and he was a bit better after the break but we improved even more when McGoldrick came on. After two great sub appearances, he has had two quite poor games when he has started.
Robinson 7.5/10 – Much improved after two quiet games where he was not a factor. First half he was like McBurnie and did not see it but he tried to keep giving us an outlet but the ball never got to him. He did not press enough though. After the break the goal he scored was well taken and this gave him a huge boost in confidence. He started to link with others, run behind and then had a few others chances, one dragged wide and one blocked. Involved in the second with a peach of a ball. Rivals Stevens and Lundstram as man of the match and for his assist and goal might just edge Enda for it.
Subs –
McGoldrick – Not really impacted us much this season so far so I was not surprised he was taken out. When he came on, he did link a bit but gave away a number of silly fouls giving them the chance to take the sting out of it. He did at least drop off and link a bit with others.
Mousset – Real spark off the bench. Ran at the defence two or three times, held the ball up and got behind them. Showed a good touch and was very direct. Nearly set up two chances and won a few corners from his pace and running. Then got in and put Zouma under pressure for the goal – it looked like he had scored and it was only an hour after the game we realised it was an OG but he was right there forcing him into it. Going to be a real asset off the bench the next few weeks as he builds up his match fitness.
Osborn – In the time he was on he did well, kept the ball and linked as we went for the late goal and defensively got a few blocks too. Will be a useful lad to play a number of positions and allows us to change shape as we did towards the end and can do a job whether we go for a goal or trying to keep it tight.
Manager Wilder 7.5/10 – First half we never started again but second half we were a different team. Is words and getting us higher up the pitch made a real difference. His subs all made a difference. At the moment his strikers seem to be playing in fits and bursts and none of them have made claimed the shirt yet – that is good but all have been a bit inconsistent with many doing better when coming on. He will want the defenders to cut out the stupid mistakes – the back three have all done it in the last few weeks and the keeper. I bet he was furious at half time but the response was excellent as we got tighter and also kept it better. Needs to make sure we start games better though.
Chelsea – First half played fairly well but we did make it easy for them. Got two scrappy goals but created a few other openings and moved us about. They did not really work up much of a sweat and played through us rather than behind us. We did not cope with their movement and they carried the ball well with good athletic midfielders who can dribble. They would have thought it would be a big win at the break but came out the 2nd half sloppy and never recovered. They did have chances on the break and could have finished it but never looked secure defensively. They conceded a lot more pressure and territory and United caused them problems. The late goal had been coming really in terms of how they had sat back and let us start to dictate to them. They will have been gutted to lose two points but showed naivety and maybe lack of quality in terms of not finishing us off.
Had a few missing in Kante, Loftus Cheek, Hudson Odoi and I suppose Lampard has to rely on youth due to the transfer ban but they do not fill you with the fear they did a few years ago, or even last season. Hazard was their talisman and now they are relying a lot on young talent, good young talent but still young. They will take time to show consistency and means they will have more days and results like this. They still have some good players but you feel they may struggle to crack the top 4 – and might be around the 5th-7th area this season as Lampard builds his own team. I am not convinced he is all that. He was learning on the job at Derby and will have made mistakes as all young managers do but he was quite fortunate to get such a big gig so early but his Chelsea connections and circumstances contrived to that of course. I am still unsure if it is too early for him as he has not really served an apprenticeship or any long tenure in a post.
Opposition man of the match – Abraham got the goals and was a theat. Mobile, decent in the air and a poacher. He will go on and be a good player and probably get in the England squad soon enough. Does help when you put two on a plate but he did take them. The rest of the team the midfield were very good in the first half with Barkley, Kovacic, Mount all lively but then many of these same players went off the boil second half and did not get on it and did not do the defensive side of the game. I like Willian and felt he was a threat when he came on carrying the ball. Love to see him in a red and white striped shirt! Stunned they do not start him as always liked him.
Opposition weak link – The defence were not great all game. Azpilicueta was sloppy all game and got beat a number of times by Stevens including the goal; also failed to stop the cross for the goal and so was maybe the main weak link. Zouma was not great and his own goal kind of summed up his day. I felt he made a few errors.
Referee / VAR review – Not anything obvious missed but he seemed to err on the side of home decisions and another who gave the fouls for players going to ground very easily. I felt the McBurnie booking (the only one) was ridiculous. His first real foul and did not seem to lead with the elbow to me. None of the goals were contentious although to my eyes he seemed to want to check our goals more than the Chelsea ones. Also a few VAR checks for them for penalties had the Blades fans worried especially the one in stoppage time. The great thing about scoring so late is they could not add lots more time on than the four they did.
Crowd / Day Out – United fans were loud and supportive although deflated at half time. The goal back gave us a new impetus and the level of support went up. Kept willing us forward and as the kids say, scenes when the goal went in with bodies flailing everywhere. Team and Wilder got a huge ovation as they came to us at the end.
The Chelsea fans were quiet throughout other than the odd blast of a song. Always dies make me laugh that they've gone from 12,000 crowds in the early 90s in a dilapidated ground to the support/ground they have now. The ground itself (my first visit side the relegation game in 1993) is big and modernish but not sure it has the wow factor of the other big UK grounds even 3 London ones could outdo it. I suppose at 40,000 It's actually comparable to our city rivals in size so clearly, they need to extend and upgrade.
The facilities in the away end were quite cramped and basic. We were in the upper tier and it was quite dangerous on the narrow steps going up. Inside there was not much room although they did serve Singha beer. Going in was odd as we went through 3 separate security points but I never got searched once....my mate did three times!
As you walk around the ground you get a sense of it being one of the big six with numerous merchandise stalls and many selling half and half Chelsea-SUFC scarves and some tourists were buying them! Indeed, we saw a fair few tourist types from all over the World. The result against a team they had never heard of probably did not suit the script!
It is busy around the ground and all the pubs/cafes are rammed. After the game it was great to see the despondent Chelsea fans slinking away as the Blades fans chants serenaded the Kings Road and the surrounding areas. '2-0 and you f****d it up!' got a particularly lusty airing! We also had 'You're just a s**t Derby County!' and the new/reworked Coutts song - 'Mousse there it is!' To hear one fan saying to his mate 'We've got to be seeing off relegation fodder like that!' was condescending but hilarious at the same time! Many near us gave us quite a bit of admiration. They looked well fed up on the way out.
The rest of day was good as is usually the case when you go away. I got to London from Donny at around 9am and met my mate Marc (listen to his dulcet tones on The Tufty Club) who had stayed over with his wife to watch some rubbish about Joseph and his fancy coyt. We headed up to Camden and had a walk down Regent's canal before going for a few pints near Primrose Hill at The Princess of Wales. Lovely sunny day so we soaked up a few rays and did the pre match Tufty Club podcast before heading South of the river to Putney Bridge. Had a few more beers and some lunch at a pub called The Boathouse next to the Wetherspoons...a lot of Blades were in here or drinking outside in the gorgeous weather. We then walked down the River to the Duke's Head and had another. We seemed to be drinking Beavertown neck oil exclusively for some reason. Slipped down nice anyway.
We then walked to the ground (25 mins) and past lots of posh shops and restaurants on Fulham Road and New Kings Road. We got to the ground around 2.30pm and were in for a final pint at 2.45pm.
After the game we walked away from the ground as it was really busy for the tube stations at Parsons Green and Fulham Broadway so waited for the crowds to disperse and got on further down the line. Had another beer at the Sun in Splendour near Portobello Road and did the second podcast before heading back to Kings Cross. We had a final beer near the station and then boarded the train home. I got in around 22.45pm and our game was just starting on Match of the Day after I sat on my settee. Delightful. A lovely day out and great to shock a big side and really show we belong. Hope we can do more of that in the games to come.
I am not sure I can make Watford but will be at Everton and hopefully a few more away games in the lead up to Xmas.
