Jorginho scored the winner for the second successive match as Chelsea battled to a 2-1 victory over relegation threatened Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
The Italian’s penalty came after Mason Mount’s first-half strike was cancelled out by his Antonio Rudiger’s own goal.
The win extends the Blues’ unbeaten streak to four matches under new manager Thomas Tuchel, taking 10 out of a possible 12 points in the process.
The match saw Chelsea concede the first goal of Tuchel’s reign but the German was able to laugh about the calamitous mistake post-match: “We lacked a bit of concentration for their goal but it happens and mistakes between a central defender and a goalkeeper usually result in a goal, but I’m happy with the response and that it didn’t cost us points.
“We still haven’t conceded to our opponents because tonight we did it ourselves,” laughed the 47-year-old Chelsea Head Coach.
Sheffield United troubled the Blues with their high-pressing tactics early on and could have taken the lead in the opening minute of the match – but Oliver Burke skewed his shot wide of the near post having been played through on goal by Oli McBurnie.
Chelsea slowly eased their way into the game with 76% of the possession in the first half and nearly took the lead.
Timo Werner lifted the ball over the hosts’ goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale but Chris Basham was there to clear the ball.
Basham then thought he had won his side a penalty having been brought down inside the box by Ben Chilwell only for VAR to rule out the spot-kick for an offside in the build up.
With two minutes left of the first half the Blues eventually made use of their possession. Mount swept a cut-back from Werner into the bottom right corner to give the visitors the lead.
The Blades were gifted an equaliser nine minutes into the second half. Miscommunication between Edouard Mendy and Antonio Rudiger saw the German centre-back pass the ball into his own net with the Senegalese keeper off his line.
However the favour was returned almost instantly by Sheffield United as Kean Burne’s back pass was latched onto by Werner who then was brought down by Ramsdale as he attempted to round the onrushing keeper.
The penalty was eventually given after a swift monitor check from Kevin Friend.
Jorginho made it two goals in two matches, returning to his signature penalty run-up before stroking the ball to the right of the keeper to restore Chelsea’s lead.
Again the hosts pushed for an equaliser and John Fleck’s direct run through midfield saw his effort on goal blocked by Rudiger making amends for his earlier error.
The last kick of the game saw substitute Billy Sharp’s overhead kick force Mendy to produce a fine save down in the bottom corner to keep the Blues’ three points intact.
Victory for Chelsea means they climb into fifth position with only one point separating them from Liverpool who sit in fourth place. While Sheffield United remain rooted at the bottom of the league and 12 points adrift from safety.
