Lampard: We’re still in fight for top four
– the Achilles heel in their desire to make a Premier League impact this season – went missing.
A neat one-two between Enda Stevens and Ben Osborn saw Stevens cross into the danger area for McBurnie to do the rest, a towering header with his would-be markers statuesque and Kepa rooted to the spot.
They might have stumbled into the season restart but Wilder’s side have certainly picked up the pace.
They seem determined to claim a well-deserved Europa League place.
Dean Henderson had to be alert to push out a stinging drive from James and there was a sense a frustrated Lampard would deliver some stinging words during the break. He brought on Antonio Rudiger and switched to a three man central defence looking to plug the holes so dramatically exposed in the first half.
They desperately needed a spark from somewhere after arriving in Sheffield on the back of six wins in their last eight Premier League games.
It almost came in the 72nd-minute from a Willian corner, Rudiger heading on for Tammy Abraham to go close at the far post. Olivier Giroud and Callum Hudson-Odoi were sent on but it was the Blades who were the sharper and they were soon celebrating a third goal.
Substitute Lys Mousset burst into the box and after Rudiger failed to clear the ball fell to McGoldrick, who finished clinically for his second goal.
For Lampard’s Chelsea everything was turning to dust.
And it could have been
HAVING A BALL: Chris Wilder makes his point worse when Mousset raced clear of a nonexistent defence with just Kepa to beat only to clip it over the keeper and past the post.
The home side were now on cruise control and heading for their fourth consecutive home win – the first time they have achieved that in the Premier League.
And tThe last time they finished in the top six was back in 1975.
Don’t bet against them repeating the feat after getting over their restart blues.
Chelsea, meanwhile, remained third but after this defeat.
But Leicester and Manchester United are hot on their heels and both have a game to play.
FRANK LAMPARD says the humiliating 3-0 defeat against Sheffield United has acted as a huge wake-up call for him and his squad.
He was worried how easily his Champions League-chasing side capitulated once they fell behind to the Blades, who were playing in the Championship last term.
And the Blues boss said: “They were better than us physically, better then us mentally, better with the ball. They were also stronger than us.
“With no crowd you can hear every voice. All I could hear were Sheffield United voices.
“You know if you come here below par collectively as we did then something like this is going to happen.
“We have to put this to bed and keep fighting to finish in the top four.
“We are still in that race because what we have done this season.
“I learned a lot that I won’t forget. We might be outside the top four when we play again but it’s not about that right now – I’m more concerned about this performance.
“We can’t approach our games against Norwich, Manchester United, Liverpool or Wolves in the same vein.”
Chelsea had won six of their previous eight games before the trip to Bramall Lane.
Lampard added: “You tend to learn more from tough moments and tough games. The most important thing is collectively it is not one to cry our eyes out.”
Sheffield United could finish in the top six of football’s top flight for the first time since 1975.
Delighted boss Chris Wilder said: “We will never get carried away, that can be very dangerous. We are enjoying all this.
“My players have been outstanding. I will let others talk about Europe. If I hear any of my players say it they get a rollicking. We are staying grounded.”