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As it happenedended

Chelsea vs Sheffield United LIVE: Result and reaction from FA Cup fixture today

The Blues are looking for two cup victories this week after easing past Atletico Madrid in the Champions League

Michael Jones
Monday 29 March 2021 10:55 EDT
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Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Reece James share a joke
Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Reece James share a joke (Getty)

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Chelsea host Sheffield United with both teams targeting a place in the FA Cup semi-finals.

While the Blues have been riding high under Thomas Tuchel, with their unbeaten streak now stretching to 13 games after comfortably beating Atletico Madrid this week to advance to the quarter-final of the Champions League.

Blades have suffered a different experience, with Chris Wilder’s departure and relegation staring them in the face, but the FA Cup provides a welcome distraction after being thumped by Leicester last time out.

The Blues will likely shuffled the pack, as has been common under Tuchel so far, but despite the progress since Frank Lampard’s departure, the former PSG and Borussia Dortmund coach is aware he needs to find the right balance between defence and attack with more cutting edge in the final third: “We lack some precision in the final third and some goals, but we’ve never lacked the work-rate against the ball, touches in the box, shots.

“Maybe we lacked composure but that’s our fault because we work so hard against the ball. It’s about balance and I believe we have that balance in how the players feel.

“We’ll never stop to think about how to create chances, offensive solutions, where to create spaces and to accelerate our attacks. But we also think about counter-pressing.”

Follow live updates from Stamford Bridge, including build-up, analysis and reaction on a big day of football, with the final quarter-final, Leicester vs Manchester United, later on:

READ MORE:

Thomas Tuchel mocks Thiago Silva’s off-pitch celebrations during Chelsea’s win over Atletico Madrid

Is Chelsea vs Sheffield United on TV today? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch FA Cup fixture

Premier League top four race: Who has the best run-in? Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea or Leicester?

Premier League top four race: Who has the best run-in? Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea or Leicester?

Chelsea 1 - 0 Sheffield Utd

53 mins: Chelsea are searching for the second goal. Pulisic has had a lightning start to this second half. He bombs up the pitch through the middle before slotting the ball out to Hudson-Odoi on the right side of the box. Hudson-Odoi brings the ball inside, switches it onto his left foot and drills a shot wide of the far top corner.

Michael Jones21 March 2021 14:42

Chelsea 1 - 0 Sheffield Utd

55 mins: Pulisic is down again. Enda Stevens scraped the back of his ankle chasing him down and it’s another painful one for the Chelsea man. He’s certainly been the target for Sheffield United today.

Michael Jones21 March 2021 14:44

Chelsea 1 - 0 Sheffield Utd

58 mins: Sheffield Utd win a free kick over on the wide right. Oli Norwood whips the set piece deep into the box, it comes to Ben Osborn who tries to dribble it back into the area but gets stopped.

Michael Jones21 March 2021 14:48

Chelsea 1 - 0 Sheffield Utd

60 mins: At the other end Chelsea win a corner that doesn’t beat the man at the near post. The headed clearance ends the ball to Billy Gilmour and his effort from range goes wide. Was that a shot or a cross? Either way it was pretty bad.

Michael Jones21 March 2021 14:49

Chelsea 1 - 0 Sheffield Utd

63 mins: Sheffield United are finally starting to show some signs of life. Ben Osborn carries the ball down the left and plays a nice one-two with David McGoldrick. McGoldrick passes the ball into the box for Osborn who runs onto it and pulls the ball back into the middle where Emerson clears.

Michael Jones21 March 2021 14:51

Chelsea 1 - 0 Sheffield Utd

65 mins: Andreas Christensen and Olivier Giroud are going off for Chelsea. Interestingly they’re replaced with Reece James and Cesar Azpilicueta. Sheffield United might just be starting to worry Thomas Tuchel.

Michael Jones21 March 2021 14:52

Chelsea 1 - 0 Sheffield Utd

68 mins: What a chance for the Blades! John Lunstram brings the ball into space over on the right. He swings a cross into the box and picks out David McGoldrick. The striker runs in front of Cesar Azpilicueta, throws himself at the ball and meets it with a strong header that he puts wide of the far post! How’s he not hit the target there?

Michael Jones21 March 2021 14:57

Chelsea 1 - 0 Sheffield Utd

70 mins: Save! The Blades are getting closer! They work a throw in up the pitch before chipping the ball over the top into Oli McBurnie. He strikes one from the front edge of the penalty area and forces Kepa Arrizabalaga into a leaping save to his right.

Michael Jones21 March 2021 14:58

Chelsea 1 - 0 Sheffield Utd

73 mins: Billy Gilmour and Callum Hudson-Odoi are off for Chelsea, Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz replace them. That’s four changes for Thomas Tuchel now as he looks to shore up the midfield.

Michael Jones21 March 2021 15:01

Chelsea 1 - 0 Sheffield Utd

75 mins: Paul Heckingbottom makes his first change for Sheffield United. It’s a like for like as Oli Burke comes on for Oli McBurnie up top.

Michael Jones21 March 2021 15:04

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