McBurnie attacks late to deny Chelsea and earn a point for Sheffield United | first division

Just one day free of chaos at work, is that too much to ask for? For Mauricio Pochettino the answer, it seems, is a resounding “yes”. Just around the corner Chelsea continue, taking a turn that from the outside seems to be the right one. Then, inexplicably, they backtrack.

As Bramall Lane began to empty, it looked like a fairly tepid performance would at least bring the result Pochettino needed against Sheffield United. Then Chelsea stuttered. Again. Even having led twice against a relegated team for almost the entire ceremony. Even having been (thanks to Noni Madueke's goal in the second half) two minutes from added time from three points. So close and yet absolutely miles away.

Pochettino is an intelligent man. He knows very well that if, at some point in the future, the chaotic and wonderful victory against Manchester United last Thursday is to be seen not just as a mere moment but as something significant, it must be seized.

Maybe those midweek heroics sapped his players' energy?

“Of course, they were tired, but that's no excuse today for not winning the game in the end,” Pochettino said.

“When watching football, at 52 years old, you identify very quickly when a team is ready to compete or not. Today that happened. Maybe because this group is not mature enough to compete every game, every three days.”

Still, with a 2-1 lead, all Chelsea had to do was wait for added time. But in the third of them, instead of wasting seconds, they wasted several opportunities to clear. Expensive? Yes. Gustavo Hamer wanted to win with his header on the edge of the area more than Mykhailo Mudryk; Cameron Archer, who came on as a substitute, threw the ball; Oli McBurnie drove the Kop crazy.

And so, for the seventh consecutive game, Chelsea had scored and conceded at least twice. This is as sustainable as fracking.

“I think a draw was a fair result if you analyze the game,” Pochettino said. “In the end we did not show the ability to be solid, to be strong. That is the most painful thing.”

Without wanting to be cruel, when looking for a low-key evening, the Blades would be the opponents of choice for the majority. first division managers. Rarely in the top flight has there been a more porous defense than United's. Chelsea's early goal was an example of this. Conor Gallagher's corner was headed towards the penalty spot. It was a decent cross, no real poison whip, but accurate enough. There he met Thiago Silva, who, without being surrounded by anyone, surpassed Ivo Grbic with his foot.

The Brazilian was starting for the first time since February and it could well be his last goal for Chelsea, as he is 38 years old and has a contract that expires soon. Pochettino insisted after the match that no decision had been made on the matter.

Silva's goal was not received with visceral discontent but with a timid complaint from the local fans. They know the script too well. Loved ones in and around the city will have received messages saying that match-goers would likely return home earlier than planned. Except that didn't happen.

Cole Palmer, moved to the center to accommodate Madueke, did his best to make Chelsea tick. There were a few bright flashes, but nothing remained fixed.

And United showed some fight. They were lifted by a stray pass from Silva midway through the first half. McBurnie intercepted and set up Ben Brereton Díaz to shoot. With Djordje Petrovic already committed, only a block by Moisés Caicedo prevented the goal.

Then Hamer grabbed the strings. Hamer, a charming footballer, is one of the few in the United squad who could find a top-class suitor come summer. First, Hamer found his own space and tested Petrovic from distance. He then set up United's first equaliser. Hamer's initial decision not to go around Jayden Bogle in the first period drew an audible groan. The local fuses are understandably short.

Hamer, however, knew exactly what he was doing. The pause. He found Bogle on Marc Cucurella's blind side. The winger's cross turned into a shot and beat Petrovic at the near post.

United found something that had long been misplaced at the time: faith. In fact, so much so that they almost took the lead in the second half. Unfortunately, McBurnie headed horribly wide. He turned up the volume.

Ollie Arblaster then set Hamer up 20 yards out. The driven shot was sweet but went into the side netting. “United” rumbled throughout the field as some solid challenges emerged.

But then Madueke jumped from the right and overtook Grbic. Most assumed United's balloon had burst. At least it had been fun while it lasted. McBurnie, however, inflated it again.

“For yourself, for your teammates, for the jersey, for the badge, for the fans, you have to work hard,” Chris Wilder said of his team's latest reaction. “I think everyone on the ground would have been incredibly disappointed if we hadn't gotten a result from that effort.”