Ollie McBurnie, a striker for Sheffield United, scored a stoppage-time equalizer to give his team’s Premier League survival a 2-2 draw against Chelsea on Sunday.
With seven games remaining, the Blades are still at the bottom of the standings with 16 points, while Chelsea is in ninth place with 44 points after winning seven straight league games.
It seemed as if the hosts might suffer another setback for a while until McBurnie’s late goal.
Jayden Bogle leveled the score in the 32nd minute, but United’s weaknesses were shown in the 11th when Chelsea defender Thiago Silva was left unmarked at a corner to guide in.
With a brilliant ball to Bogle, who beat goalie Djordje Petrovic at his near post, Gustavo Hamer broke up the Blues defense, setting off loud celebrations among the home fans.
With many opportunities to grab the lead, including a header by McBurnie in the 49th minute and a curling attempt by Hamer five minutes later, United came out firing in the second half.
But in the sixty-sixth minute, Cole Palmer found Noni Madueke, who cut in from the right before blasting a powerful shot past Ivo Grbic to put Chelsea back up, leaving United’s defense completely flat-footed once again.
Three minutes into stoppage time, McBurnie was the first to react to a pass into the area and scored from close range, demonstrating the Blades’ persistence once again.
The home team had a fantastic opportunity to win the game in the closing minutes, but they were unable to capitalize on their numerical advantage in a late counterattack, and the game ended in a tie.
“There are still many more games to be played, and the focus is on improving the performances. In a post-match TV interview, goal scorer McBurnie said, “We are not looking too far ahead.”
We have been there or thereabouts for the last several games. The guys gave it their all against Liverpool, and it’s good to win something for the supporters today.”
Chelsea was knocked down to earth by the late equalizer they conceded against Manchester United in midweek, after winning in the eleventh minute of stoppage time.
A despondent Madueke said in a TV interview, “There are definitely some positives, 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.”
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Chelsea gives up a late goal against Sheffield United in a draw.
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