Chelsea’s hopes of winning European football were dashed when relegation-threatened Sheffield United’s Oli McBurnie struck an equalizer in injury time.
The ninth-placed visitors under Mauricio Pochettino lost steam after their thrilling last-minute victory against Manchester United on Thursday.
Rather, they were caught off guard just three days later when McBurnie scored a close-range goal in the 93rd minute to give the bottom-dwelling Premier League team a point.
Chelsea was leading after Noni Madueke’s spectacular finish halfway through the second half. The England youth international cut inside and curled a fantastic finish past Ivo Grbic.
Thiago Silva’s uncontested side-footed goal in Conor Gallagher’s corner gave the Blues an 11th-minute lead, but Jayden Bogle beat Djordje Petrovic at his near post to square the score for the Blades.
The Bramall Lane fans responded to Chris Wilder’s players with growing confidence, and their perseverance was rewarded with a moment of jubilation during a season that had been everything but easy.
With nine points separating them from safety and 21 points remaining, Sheffield United is still at the bottom of the table.
