JORGINHO spared Chelsea’s blushes from the spot to make it three wins on the spin.
The Blues were cruising to a third victory in four under new boss Thomas Tuchel after Mason Mount’s first-half strike.
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But they then shot themselves in the foot thanks to a comical own goal from Antonio Rudiger after a misunderstanding with Edouard Mendy.
Chelsea were not behind for long as Sheffield United keeper Aaron Ramsdale brought down Timo Werner seconds later to allow Jorginho to convert from 12 yards.
Tuchel has made a promising start to life in the Chelsea hot seat since replacing Frank Lampard last month with this win taking them up to fifth – and just a point off fourth.
The Blades had been in good form themselves, winning three of their last five – two of those coming at home – but they barely laid a scratch on Chelsea.
Their best chance came in the opening 30 seconds as Oliver Burke latched onto Ollie McBurnie’s through ball but fired into the side netting with the goal gaping.
A common theme of Tuchel’s opening games at Chelsea has been control, but there was none of that from the visitors in the early stages.
But they had a chance to snatch the lead as Timo Werner – whose last league goal came in the reverse fixture back in November, 14 games ago – tried to lob Ramsdale.
Chris Basham cleared the ball away before Mount could finish off the move.
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And Basham was in the thick of it at the other end in the 12th minute, winning a penalty for the hosts after being brought down by Ben Chilwell.
But a VAR review rightly ruled out the goal as replays showed Basham was a yard offside before receiving the ball.
Chelsea failed to react, and looked certain to enter half-time with the scores 0-0 before a moment of magic from Mount.
A neat one-two between Werner and Mateo Kovacic allowed Chilwell to play the German forward in behind the defence, and his cut-back from the byline found Mount.
Having watched Three Lions midfield rival Phil Foden shine for Manchester City against Liverpool earlier in the day, Mount ensured he was also in the headlines with a fine first time effort into the bottom corner.
But Chelsea remained shaky, and that showed in the 55th minute as Rudiger routinely intercepted Burke in the area before attempting a bizarre pass-back to his keeper.
Mendy was already rushing out to collect the ball, and could only watch helplessly as the ball trickled into the net.
Sheffield United were back in the fight, but not for long – seconds in fact.
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Kean Bryan’s poor back pass was picked up by Werner, who knocked the ball around Ramsdale only to be taken out by the Blades shot-stopper.
Play continued for another minute before VAR requested referee Kevin Friend take a look at the pitch side monitor, and the replays were damning as a penalty was awarded.
Jorginho stepped up and calmly sent Ramsdale the wrong way – who was checked for a head injury in the minutes following after his collision with Werner.
Werner was unable to end his alarming goal drought as he was taking off in the final ten minutes before having his left thigh strapped in the stands.
But that will be the least of Tuchel’s worries should his new team keep on churning out results.
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