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Cole Palmer ratings Chelsea GFXGetty

Chelsea player ratings vs Sheffield United: Cole Palmer provides the spark for dull Blues! In-form attacker inspires vital victory as Moises Caicedo finds his groove

Cole Palmer woke Chelsea from their slumber to inspire the Blues to a 2-0 victory over bottom club Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Blues clicked into gear after a first 45 that will go down as one of the most forgettable in Premier League history, and were rewarded inside 10 minutes of the second period as Palmer rounded off a fine passing move by side-footing home Raheem Sterling's cross.

The lead was swiftly doubled as Palmer turned provider for Nicolas Jackson, pouncing on a goalkeeping error to lay it on a plate for the striker.

Substitute Armando Broja and Jackson both missed gilt-edged chances to put further gloss on the scoreline, but the points were secure.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Stamford Bridge...

  • Benoit Badiashile Chelsea Sheffield United 2023-24Getty

    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Djordje Petrovic (6/10):

    Completely untested on his full debut in truth.

    Axel Disasi (7/10):

    Not a natural full-back but performed admirably, growing in confidence and bombing down the right.

    Thiago Silva (6/10):

    Not unduly bothered by a blunt Blades attack. Needed a strong performance after his error at Newcastle.

    Benoit Badiashile (6/10):

    A calm display at the back. Passed smoothly and did the basics in a fairly straightforward examination.

    Levi Colwill (6/10):

    Didn't get forward much which meant he wasn't really involved in the vast majority of the play at the other end.

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  • Moises Caicedo Chelsea Sheffield United 2023-24Getty

    Midfield

    Moises Caicedo (7/10):

    Arguably his best performance in blue so far. Mopped up on the rare occasions Sheffield United countered and drove his team forwards.

    Conor Gallagher (6/10):

    Industrious as ever and his forward thrust was crucial to Chelsea building momentum after the break. Very harshly booked.

    Cole Palmer (8/10):

    Completely anonymous in the first half, game-changing in the second. Combined excellently with Sterling to open the scoring and was very smart to play to the whistle to assist Jackson.

  • Conor Gallagher Nicolas Jackson Chelsea 2023-24Getty

    Attack

    Raheem Sterling (7/10):

    Worked tirelessly down the right flank and helped to get his team off the mark with a smart assist after a drop of the shoulder.

    Nicolas Jackson (6/10):

    Another fairly quiet performance but took the one clear opening that came his way so hard to be too critical.

    Mykhailo Mudryk (6/10):

    Some bright moments and a better striker might have pounced on the chances he created. Subbed with 25 to play.

  • Mauricio Pochettino Chelsea 2023-24Getty

    Subs & Manager

    Enzo Fernandez (6/10):

    Introduced with the job already done but kept things ticking over. Will be glad to have had a bit of a rest.

    Armando Broja (5/10):

    Ran the defence hard but will be gutted to have missed an absolute sitter.

    Malo Gusto (N/A):

    On to see out the game.

    Ian Maatsen (N/A):

    Subbed on to use up some time.

    Mauricio Pochettino (7/10):

    Whatever the manager said at half-time, it worked. The Argentine will have been mightily underwhelmed by the first-half display, but his players responded and they simply have to use this as a platform to achieve better things.