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Chelsea vs Sheffield United: Three lessons learnt in FA Cup win

By Akshat Mehrish

BARNSLEY, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Christian Pulisic of Chelsea during The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Barnsley and Chelsea at Oakwell Stadium on February 11, 2021 in Barnsley, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
BARNSLEY, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Christian Pulisic of Chelsea during The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Barnsley and Chelsea at Oakwell Stadium on February 11, 2021 in Barnsley, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 21: Christian Pulisic of Chelsea during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Chelsea and Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge on March 21, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 21: Christian Pulisic of Chelsea during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Chelsea and Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge on March 21, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images) /

An Oliver Norwood own-goal and a late strike from Hakim Ziyech secured Chelsea’s place in the penultimate round of the 2020/21 FA Cup. The Blues had to struggle for control at times and nearly let their advantage slip. However, some poor finishing from the Blades’ helped Thomas Tuchel’s side extend their unbeaten streak to fourteen.

Following their win, Chelsea was drawn against Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals, with Leicester City and Southampton drawn in the opposite tie. The respective winners of both matches will face each other in the final, which will be held in the Wembley Stadium on May 15.

Before moving ahead, we take a moment to dig a little deeper into the win over Sheffield and look at the lessons learned.

1. Christian Pulisic finding his feet again

Christian Pulisic has had to endure some difficult spells ever since his big-money move to Chelsea from Borussia Dortmund. The American superstar has been under the microscope ever since he arrived in England, partially because of his price tag and international reputation. However, during the latter half of the previous season, the youngster showed exactly why the Blues spent big to sign him as he played a crucial role in the team’s run-in.

Pulisic stepped up when it mattered, scoring in crucial fixtures against Aston Villa and Manchester City while also netting Chelsea’s only goal in the FA Cup Final. However, it was a heart-breaking injury in the same competition which saw him ruled out for the initial part of the 2020/21 season.

Ahead of the start of the new season, Chelsea spent big on attacking talent, bringing in Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, and Hakim Ziyech. Pulisic’s contributions towards the end of the previous season did not count for much in an individual sense, even though he was handed the vacant number ten jersey by Frank Lampard. Instead, he found himself right at the starting line once more, competing against talented players to break into the team again.

Pulisic has had his struggles this season too. Injuries have kept him from consistently performing at his best level. Subsequently, his role has lately been reduced to that of a substitute, and not the kind of ones that the manager brings on for an instant impact.

As such, his performance against Sheffield United was a timely reminder for those already beginning to give up on him. He might not have been able to get himself a goal, but he did come close on two occasions – opportunities he created for himself from nothing. Pulisic first latched on to a loose pass from Norwood before losing his footing and firing his shot straight at the goalkeeper. He then dribbled past three Sheffield players on the edge of the box – much to the amusement of Billy Gilmour – but saw his subsequent shot saved again.

He was named Man of the Match for his performance too!

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