Sunday’s Premier League action produced a potentially vital win for Sheffield United, as Leicester held Chelsea to a draw at Stamford Bridge. Here is a more detailed look at those top-flight fixtures:
Lundstram goal enough to beat the Eagles
Palace had the first opening of the game, as Christian Benteke fired straight at Dean Henderson after an error from Jack O’Connell. The home grew into the game but struggled to break down the Palace backline. The only real attempt of the first half for the Blades came when David McGoldrick miss-hit a shot with the goal gaping straight into the arms of the thankful Vicente Guaita.
The home side took the lead on 47 minutes. Luke Freeman saw a shot saved by Guaita from a good O’Connell cross. However, Lundstram buried the rebound when left completely unmarked. Palace struggled to get going, but Henderson did have to be alert to keep out a deflected effort from winger Andros Townsend. The last clear-cut opportunity of the game fell to the home side, as Guaita kept out a header from O’Connell with his legs.
The victory means that the Blades have picked up four points from a possible six, having made a promising start to their campaign. However, the visitors will be disappointed to have taken just a point from their opening two league outings.
Chelsea held on Lampard’s Blues managerial debut
Leicester held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge to spoil Blues boss Frank Lampard’s debut in the home dugout.
Chelsea started at breakneck speed, harrying and pressing the visitors from kick-off. The Blues came close to opening the scoring in the early stages, as Pedro volleyed an effort into the side-netting. Attacking midfielder Mason Mount also drew a good low save from Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel before the Blues took the lead on seven minutes.
Jonny Evans played the ball to Wilfried Ndidi who took a touch, only for Mount to nip in and slide the ball past Schmeichel falling under a challenge from Ndidi in the process.
Chelsea should have been home and hosed by the half-time break. Mount headed a good opportunity from eight yards straight at Schmeichel, while full-back Christian Fuchs produced a vital last-ditch tackle to preventing N’Golo Kante from tapping home at the near post.
Leicester came out much stronger in the second half. James Maddison rounded Kepa, only to see his cross cleared by Jorginho with players waiting in the centre. The Foxes deservedly equalised in on 67 minutes. Ndidi got up the highest to bullet home a Maddison corner kick from the right. It was a apt way to make up for his part in Chelsea’s goal.
Brendan Rodgers side then looked the more dangerous team in attack. Maddison fired over the bar from eight yards out with the goal at his mercy, while striker Jamie Vardy fired just wide of goal from a tight angle. Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans also forced Kepa into a good save before the end.
In the end, the draw was a fair result, as it really was a game of two halves. Neither team will be happy with their points tallies so far this season. However, both will hope to pick up their first league wins of the campaigns next weekend. Both teams remain outsiders to clinch a Champions League spot this season.
Was a draw a fair result at Stamford Bridge?
