Pochettino praises Palmer after Chelsea defeat Blades For his “significant” impact on the Blues’ attack, acknowledging the former Manchester City youngster’s goal and assist in Saturday’s hard-fought win against Sheffield United.
Palmer played a pivotal role in breaking down Sheffield United’s defense, scoring by slotting home Raheem Sterling’s pass early in the second half. Shortly thereafter, he assisted Nicolas Jackson for Chelsea’s second goal, showcasing his influence on the team’s attacking prowess.
Since joining Chelsea from the 2022-23 Treble winners in the summer, the 21-year-old Cole Palmer has made a substantial impact, being directly involved in 13 goals across his 19 appearances.
“For me he’s a playmaker – a player who can link the team,” Pochettino told BBC Match of the Day. “He also has the capacity to score goals and give assists.
“The contribution of Cole Palmer from day one has been massive.”
Despite Chelsea dominating possession with almost 80% control throughout the 90 minutes, the first half proved forgettable for Pochettino’s team, with Conor Gallagher’s long-range effort being their only shot on target.
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Cameron Archer’s attempt curled wide for the visitors in the first half, while Chelsea’s full debutant Djordje Petrovic made an impact with a notable save from Gustavo Hamer’s low free-kick. However, this remained the closest the visitors came to a breakthrough against Chelsea.
Second-half substitute Armando Broja missed a golden opportunity to extend Chelsea’s lead late in the game, as he somehow skewed Palmer’s low delivery off target from point-blank range. With this hard-fought victory, the Blues climb to tenth place with 22 points, while Sheffield United remains at the foot of the table, now six points adrift from safety.
Blues Assert Dominance
Despite a challenging 2023, Chelsea’s hard-fought victory over Sheffield United signals hope for a more positive end to the year under Pochettino’s management. With upcoming fixtures including a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Newcastle and league matches versus Wolves, Crystal Palace, and Luton, Chelsea aims for a strong finish.
In the first half, despite dominating possession, Chelsea struggled to breach Sheffield United’s resolute defense. Gallagher’s tame shot and Jackson’s narrowly wide attempt reflected the team’s difficulty breaking through. Relief came when Palmer converted Sterling’s cross for his eighth goal of the season, a moment checked but deemed onside by VAR.
Although Broja missed a late chance, Chelsea secured the win. The return of Christopher Nkunku to the matchday squad provided positive news amid the team’s recent injury woes.
Blades Fall Short Despite Encouraging Display
After securing their second Premier League win against Brentford, Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United couldn’t build on the momentum in a spirited display against Chelsea. Operating with a back four, they limited Chelsea’s chances in the first half, with Archer’s wide shot being a notable attempt.
Despite a bright start to the second half, Sheffield United succumbed to Palmer’s breakthrough and Jackson’s subsequent goal. Wilder acknowledged the team’s naivety in the second half, shifting from being in the game to out of it.
The Blades’ struggle to score continues, having failed to find the net in seven of their 17 league games this season, the highest in the division. Facing challenging festive fixtures against in-form Aston Villa, champions Manchester City, and fellow strugglers Luton, Sheffield United anticipates a tough period ahead.
