Sheffield United

Harry Poole
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Since suffering the third in a series of heavy home defeats - a 6-0 thrashing by Arsenal - at the start of March, Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder will be satisfied with the response his side have shown.

Despite their desperate position at the foot of the table, with an immediate return to the Championship looming, the Blades backed up draws against Bournemouth and Fulham by giving title-chasing Liverpool a scare in midweek and earning a hard-fought draw with Chelsea on Sunday.

Oli McBurnie's stoppage-time equaliser was a deserved reward for United's efforts - and the fight shown by the players was not lost on the Bramall Lane crowd who rallied behind the hosts with Chelsea appearing vulnerable.

While the point barely improves their situation - they are nine points adrift of safety with 21 points available - Wilder will hope they can maintain this level of performance for the remainder of the campaign to ensure they arrive at a summer rebuild with optimism.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has been speaking to Sky Sports after clinching a late draw against the Blues: "I think it was a deserved result.

"Second half was really good but I am disappointed in the first goal. We all look at set plays up-and-down the country and we all know how important they are - it is disappointing to get done again.

"First 15 minutes, I didn't like our performance. After that, I liked our performance - full of personality.

"I would have been devastated if we didn't get a result out of that game.

"I am looking at our individual team performance. We were really good against some big players and collectively we were the better team.

"We have talked about it after the Liverpool game and we went deep into that game. We had two good performances against Fulham and Bournemouth, we deserved a better points return.

"We all know the intensity of the division and we move on to Brentford next week. The belief will hopefully be good, they have shown a lot of qualities.

"There is a load of games left and we approach the next game as the most important and see if we can go get a result.

"The performance of the players ignited the crowd and the crowd lifted the players when it was needed."

Here are the key facts and figures following Sunday’s game between Sheffield United and Chelsea in the Premier League.

• Chelsea have drawn three successive away games in the Premier League for the first time since September 2000. Meanwhile, the Blues have conceded 27 away goals in the top-flight this term, their most after 15 away games of a league season since 1990-91 (32 goals).

• Sheffield United have conceded 47 Premier League goals at Bramall Lane this season, the most ever by a home side in a single campaign in the competition. It is the most by an English top-flight club, on home soil, in a season since 1960-61 (Chelsea 48 goals and Newcastle 49 goals).

• Noni Maduke's goal, assisted by Cole Palmer, was the 14th time Chelsea had a Premier League goal both scored and assisted by players aged 22 or younger this season.

• Thiago Silva (39y 198d) became the third-oldest player to score away from home in the Premier League, after Teddy Sheringham (39y 343d) and Dean Windass (39y 235d).

• Sheffield United netted their third ever 90th minute equaliser in a Premier League match, while all three have been scored by Oli McBurnie (also v Manchester United in November 2019 and West Ham United in January 2024).

• Gustavo Hamer has five assists in the Premier League this season, the most by a Sheffield United player across a single campaign in the competition since Dane Whitehouse in 1993-94 (six assists).

Sheffield United striker Oli McBurnie has been speaking after securing a late draw for the Blades at Bramall Lane: "The last few games, we have been there or thereabouts. The boys put in excellent effort against Liverpool and now it is nice to get something for the fans.

"We always say, at home, we fancy ourselves against anyone, but that hasn't always been the case this season. We need to make here a tough place for others to come.

"We need to start games off solid, work our way into games and, when it opens up, then get on the ball more.

"There is still plenty of games to play and it is about building on the performances. We are not looking too far ahead."

Oli McBurnie scored an injury-time equaliser for relegation-threatened Sheffield United as Chelsea's hopes of securing European football suffered a blow.

Mauricio Pochettino's ninth-placed visitors were unable to maintain momentum following their dramatic last-gasp comeback win over Manchester United on Thursday.

Instead, just three days later, they fell victim to a late sucker-punch as McBurnie fired in from close-range in the 93rd minute to earn a point for the Premier League's bottom side.

Noni Madueke's excellent finish midway through the second half - the England youth international cutting inside and curling an excellent finish past Ivo Grbic - had put Chelsea on course for victory.

The Blues took an 11th-minute lead when Thiago Silva was allowed to side-foot in Conor Gallagher's corner unchallenged, but Jayden Bogle beat Djordje Petrovic at his near post to bring the Blades level.

The increasing belief in Chris Wilder's players was evident as the Bramall Lane crowd rallied behind their side - and they were rewarded for their persistence by a moment of celebration in an otherwise difficult season.

Sheffield United remain bottom of the table, nine points adrift of safety with 21 points still to fight for.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

United fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Chelsea fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

Three matches make up Sunday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

BBC Radio 5 Live commentaries:

• Manchester United v Liverpool

• Sheffield United v Chelsea

All kick-off times BST

Listen to radio commentaries and follow live text updates here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for every Premier League game this season against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's games, he takes on darts stars Luke Littler and Nathan Aspinall, who both support Manchester United.

Sutton's prediction: 1-3

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino was as pumped up after Thursday's dramatic win over Manchester United as I've seen him since Lucas Moura's goal when his Tottenham side beat Ajax in the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.

I felt for Pochettino because his side were 2-0 up and cruising until Moises Caicedo gifted United a way back into the game. For the score to be 2-2 at half-time, he must have been tearing his hair out.

Chelsea have got a real naivety about them defensively but they still found a way to win, and they have still got a sniff of finishing high enough to qualify for Europe - which would be really remarkable given the season they have had.

I still think it is last week's 2-2 draw with Burnley that sums their campaign up though, which means there is a chance they could follow Thursday by stuffing things up here.

The way I'd describe Chelsea right now is as a team that is still learning. Pochettino has made some pretty pointed comments about how his players need to work as hard out of possession as they do when they have the ball, and that applies whoever the opposition are.

They should really beat bottom side Sheffield United but they need to keep their focus and maintain their intensity.

I don't feel it's the case that the Blades are running out of time to save themselves from relegation, because I think that's inevitable. It's really just a matter of when they go down, not if.

Littler's prediction: 0-1

Aspinall's prediction: 2-2

See the full list of predictions

Manager Chris Wilder has been speaking to the media before Sheffield United host Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday (17:30 BST kick-off).

Here are the main headlines from his news conference:

• Striker Cameron Archer will "definitely be involved" against the Blues after being out of action for almost two months because of a calf injury. Gustavo Hamer is also expected to be available after sustaining a minor injury in Thursday's loss at Liverpool.

• On Archer's absence and return, Wilder said: "Cameron has been a major signing for Sheffield United and to not have him available for about six weeks has been a big blow. To have him back is great - he can get us up the pitch and score us a goal."

• Wilder said the Blades can take heart from the defensive part of their performance at Anfield: "We showed some good signs in terms of our structure and, most importantly, our attitude to defending. We have to produce these types of performances and give ourselves a platform to get a result."

• On the approach to the final eight games of the season: "We've tried to get results right the way through. I don't think there's been an attitude change. The opposition's strengths at times overcome anything you've got and sometimes it looks like you're not trying or you don't care, but I certainly don't believe that's the case. There have possibly been moments this season when the team should have done better and maybe have felt sorry for themselves through those periods. But the Premier League is ruthless, relentless and absolutely kills you when you're not on it."

• Wilder continued: "We have everything to play for in the last eight games. We've got a responsibility, first and foremost, to our supporters to give our best in every game. What I've seen in the past three games is certainly a reaction to a disappointing night at home to Arsenal. We need to show those qualities going forward."

• On Sunday's opponents Chelsea: "They're still in with a European shout and you look at the amazing squad strength and quality they possess - people can talk about them not being at their best and being inconsistent, but they can hurt you. We can take a lot from the past three games, especially our last home performance, and hopefully get something from the game."

Follow Friday's Premier League news conferences

Here are the key facts and figures before Sunday's game between Sheffield United and Chelsea in the Premier League.

• Sheffield United lost 2-1 the last time they hosted Chelsea in the Premier League - they most recently lost back-to-back home league games against the Blues in October 1965.

• Chelsea have won six of their past eight Premier League games against Sheffield United, having lost their first three.

• The Blades have conceded 50 goals at home this season, becoming just the second Premier League club to do so, after Derby County in 2007-08 (51).

• Chelsea have not kept a clean sheet in any of their past 11 away Premier League matches, their worst run without a clean sheet on the road since going 12 in a row between December 2019 and September 2020.

• Oli McBurnie has been involved in seven goals in his past seven home league appearances for United (five goals, two assists). In the five games he has scored in at Bramall Lane, he has not ended on the winning side (D2 L3), with only Dougie Freedman in 1998-99 scoring in more home games in a season without winning (six).

• Cole Palmer has been involved in 11 goals in his past 11 away Premier League appearances for the Blues (five goals, six assists). He is the first player aged 21 or younger to score five or more goals and assist five or more goals away from home in a season since Dele Alli for Tottenham in 2016-17, also under Mauricio Pochettino.

Former Sheffield United striker Carl Asaba told BBC Radio Sheffield's Blades Heaven podcast that Chris Wilder's team deserved the positive reaction from their supporters after their 3-1 defeat at Anfield on Thursday: "They really put in a good performance. They were unfortunate, at the start, not to take the lead and then it was an unfortunate goal to give away.

"But they didn't grumble. They stuck at it and they kept the same. It was a good team performance. The second-half was much better and there were some really good individual performances in there.

"I was a little bit disappointed with Vini [Vinicius Souza], but that's just me. It's just because I think he is a lot better than what he showed against Liverpool.

"But I think that it was a really good performance and that is why the Blades fans clapped the players off. It was an honest performance against one of the best teams in the world.

"They just ran out of steam. Of course you will, especially when you have players like Cody Gakpo coming on. It is tough, but the boys can be proud of what they did."

Asaba also praised the "real potential threats" Sheffield United currently have in their front line: "Ben Brereton Diaz - he is great to watch because, even in a match as difficult as this, he offers a threat. He is a willing worker, he is awkward to play against, he is big and strong but he is really quick, he grafts. He has got the ability, so you have always got an out ball.

"You have got the quality of [James] McAtee there. I thought [Jayden] Bogle was outstanding when he had the ball in dangerous areas, his delivery was really good, he had a really good strike as well.

"So, there is a lot of positives there.

"The performance warranted merit and a positive response. Hopefully they can take this on and end the season playing consistently and being in consistent form."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

I have been in lots of relegation battles. I got relegated in my first year in the Premier League with Manchester City when I was only a teenager. I had to deal with that adversity so I know what it is like.

I do not think people crack or feel anxious in relegation fights, but you know when you are beaten. It is hard to fully motivate yourself as a team to get the desire to go back out there.

In these battles there are always people complaining and there are changes too. Managers are under pressure and fans add pressure as well.

There is no doubt that it is difficult.

There might not be a lot of hope for those teams in the relegation zone at the moment, but those players will still want to be playing in the Premier League next season. So they still have to use this time to shine because they inevitably will want a move back to a top-flight club.

Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

We asked for your thoughts on Thursday's Premier League game between Liverpool and Sheffield United.

Here are some of your responses:

Liverpool fans

Manicred: Far too pedestrian for the first 75 minutes of the match. Liverpool's class told in the end, but the worrying thing is how many chances we need to create to score a goal.

Bobby: We made that game hard work. Thanks to Mac Allister the team spirit lifted. Roll on Manchester United on Sunday. This game is more important than the FA Cup loss.

Karen: Another win, but again, made hard work of it. So much possession, but too many wasted opportunities. We must pad out the goal difference because it would be catastrophic to lose the title on goal difference.

Leonard: What a goal from Mac Allister! What a player! Liverpool still have a knack of playing below their best and still coming out on top. Fair play to Sheffield United. They put it up to them, but in the end Liverpool had the firepower to get over the line. If that firepower is more clinical (than they were in FA Cup) against Man Utd on Sunday then we should win.

Andy: I would like to see Endo and Elliott starting at Old Trafford. After a brilliant start to the season, sadly Szoboszlai has run out of energy while Elliott is a Duracell bunny. Endo is the signing of the season. He gives us real solidity in front of the back four.

Sheffield United fans

Alan: A splendid effort. If we had played with as much effort and spirit all season we would be nowhere near the bottom. With the score 1-1, Liverpool and their supporters were beginning to panic a little. They were definitely expecting an easier victory. A good night and proud to be a Blade. Let's hope for the same effort against Chelsea on Sunday.

Hayley: I think the second half looked positive from the Blades. Best we have played in a long time. We took the game to Liverpool for 75 minutes to the point Klopp has to make the changes he did. If he would have stayed with the full 11, we may have got something out of it. I think Macca and Diaz ran their socks off and created the chances.

Gerry: Thought they played with a lot of grit and determination, but failed to keep hold of the ball. It was a good show from Blades.

Matt: We defended really well and looked dangerous on the break, only to be outdone with a worldie strike. If we had fought so hard the rest of the season we wouldn't be in the mess we are.

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder speaking to the BBC: "I don't think we are a lucky side. I know these are small margins, but the deflection that falls to Mac Allister, then it's a first-class finish. No-one will give us sympathy, we have to keep our heads down and working."

On the Mac Allister goal: "You're hoping that shot flies into the Kop and you write off a few more seconds. But that's why these are world-class players, they go right to the end and more."

On the task facing his players: "They are on social media, they read things, the narrative of most of the 60,000 people in the stadium is that this would be a stroll [for Liverpool]. But we have to compete and give that consistency to each other and to the manager.

"We are behind the black ball, in a snooker, it is an incredibly difficult task, we just have to keep fighting."

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist at Anfield

Image source, Rex Features

Sheffield United had not won at Anfield since 1994, and no-one gave them a chance of causing a shock victory.

Liverpool eventually secured the three points, but the Blades made it a lot tougher for the hosts than anyone expected.

Boss Chris Wilder had said he needed a "top, top" performance from his side and they nearly took the lead inside the opening 90 seconds, only for James McAtee to have a shot well saved by Caoimhin Kelleher.

A huge frustration for Wilder was the fact Liverpool were gifted the lead when goalkeeper Ivo Grbic's 17th-minute clearance was charged down by Darwin Nunez and went into the net.

Sheffield United rode their luck, but Jayden Bogle had an effort saved at the end of the first half to show the game was still alive, before Gustavo Hamer's header bounced in off Conor Bradley for an own goal to leave it 1-1.

But, just as the away fans started to believe in claiming a brilliant result, Alexis Mac Allister scored with a truly stunning 25-yard strike, which zoomed into the top corner for surely one of the goals of the season.

The relief and delight around Anfield was evident and it was not until Cody Gakpo headed in a third goal in the 90th minute before the result many people had expected all night finally came to happen.

Wilder can be proud of his side's fight and spirit though as they gave the league leaders a huge fright.

• Liverpool have won more matches (16) and scored more goals (59) in all competitions in 2024 than any other side across Europe’s big-five leagues.

• The Reds have scored 26 Premier League goals this season in the final 15 minutes of matches, 10 more than any other side.

• Darwin Nunez became the sixth Premier League player to be involved in 30 goals in all competitions this season (18 goals, 12 assists) and second Liverpool player along with Mohamed Salah. In 2024. He's been involved in 15 goals in all competitions - the most of any player (10 goals, 5 assists).

• Liverpool enjoyed 83.1% possession in tonight’s match, a record by a team in a Premier League match since Opta began recording this data in 2003-04.

• Sheffield United have kept just one clean sheet in their last 39 away Premier League matches – a 1-0 win at Everton in May 2021 – conceding 83 goals across those games.

• The Blades are the first top-flight team to concede 80 goals in their first 30 matches in a season since Ipswich Town in 1963-64 (81).

• Sheffield United have made nine errors leading to opposition goals in the Premier League this season, the most of any side. Six of those have been made by goalkeepers (5 for Foderingham, 1 for Grbic).

Liverpool battled to victory over bottom-placed Sheffield United to move back to the top of the Premier League and maintain control of the title race.

The hosts were gifted a 17th-minute lead when Darwin Nunez charged down goalkeeper Ivo Grbic's clearance with the ball rebounding into the net.

Despite having 84% of possession in the first half and wasting numerous chances, Liverpool conceded a 58th-minute equaliser as Gustavo Hamer's header bounced off Conor Bradley and into his own net.

But Argentina's World Cup-winning Alexis Mac Allister - nominated for March's Premier League Player of the Month award - produced a stunning 20-yard strike which flew into the top corner to put the hosts back in front with 14 minutes left.

Mac Allister nearly grabbed a wonderful second but saw his curling free-kick bounce off the crossbar.

But it did not matter as substitute Cody Gakpo headed in Liverpool's third in the 90th minute to seal the victory.

The result takes the Reds two points clear of Arsenal and three ahead of reigning champions Manchester City, with each side having eight league matches left.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Liverpool fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Blades fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

Two matches make up Thursday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

All times BST

Chris Sutton is making predictions for every Premier League game this season against a variety of guests.

For the midweek matches, he takes on UB40 drummer and Birmingham City fan Jimmy Brown.

Sutton's prediction: 5-0

This is top versus bottom and Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah is going to be captaining my fantasy team - that should tell you all you need to know about what I am expecting to happen here.

Against Brighton on Sunday, Liverpool did what they have done all season, which is finding a way to win even when they fall behind.

This should be far more straightforward because Sheffield United do not have the quality to cause them the same problems the Seagulls did.

Liverpool cannot just expect to turn up and win easily, though. The finish line is in sight but they need to put their foot down to get there first, and that is what I think will happen here.

Looking at the table, goal difference could play a big part in the title race. Arsenal have the advantage there at the moment, but a big scoreline here could change that.

Brown's prediction: 2-0

Liverpool are actually my second team, and my Premier League team at the moment. I love Liverpool, I love the city and I love the people and I think they will get an easy win here.

Read the rest of their predictions here

Here are the key facts and figures before Thursday's Premier League fixture between Liverpool and Sheffield United.

• Liverpool have lost just one of their 39 Premier League home games against newly promoted sides, going down 1-0 to Fulham in March 2021. Since that defeat, the Reds have won their past eight by an aggregate score of 28-5.

• Sheffield United have conceded a league-high 77 Premier League goals this season, which is already their most in a top-flight campaign since 1975-76, when they let in 82 goals in 42 games and finished bottom of the table.

• The Reds have not lost any of their past 13 Premier League evening kick-offs, since a 2-1 home loss to Leeds United in October 2022. The Reds have won their past eight such games, scoring 26 goals.

• The Blades have had a two-goal lead in their past two league games but failed to win either (2-2 v Bournemouth, 3-3 v Fulham).

• Liverpool's Mohamed Salah has not scored or assisted a goal in his three Premier League appearances against promoted sides this season. He has never gone four such games without a goal involvement in the competition.

• Only Oli McBurnie (eight) and Gustavo Hamer (seven) have been involved in more Premier League goals for United this season than Ben Brereton (five – four goals, one assist), despite the Chile international only playing five games since joining in January.