This unconvincing win over the worst side in the Premier League may not have arrived had Mauricio Pochettino not reacted to his attack’s repeated ineffectiveness against a low block by altering Cole Palmer’s position after a dire first half, a subtle shift that finally gave Chelsea the possibility to punish Sheffield United with their individual quality.
There was more dynamism with Palmer giving up his initial role as a No 10, Raheem Sterling joining Nicolas Jackson in the middle and Chelsea reconfigured in a 4-4-2 system. For Pochettino, a manager under pressure after two dispiriting defeats, it was important to summon the tactical expertise to stop the game becoming an ordeal. In the end he could be satisfied after a seven-minute burst from Palmer, who broke the deadlock before making Jackson’s goal, carried Chelsea up to 10th place and left Chris Wilder bemoaning the defending that ended United’s limited gameplan.
