Mauricio Pochettino's side twice opened up a lead in the contest, the first goal coming from Thiago Silva who guided a corner into the far corner following his recall to the starting XI.

The Blades hit back in what was an end-to-end half when Jayden Bogle advanced into the Chelsea penalty area and fired home from a tight angle.

Noni Madueke – also recalled to the side – restored our advantage midway through the second half but it wasn't enough to claim the three points as in stoppage time, Oli McBurnie levelled for the home side.

A bright start

Pochettino freshened up his starting XI following Thursday’s win over Manchester United. Malo Gusto wasn’t in the squad as he was rested while Benoit Badiashile and Mykhailo Mudryk were named on the bench.

In came Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva and Noni Madueke. This led to Axel Disasi shifting to right back with Madueke wide on the right in front of him.

Chelsea made a bright start in the Steel City. Madueke was lively as Cole Palmer teed up Conor Gallagher for the first shot of note inside ten minutes.

Gallagher’s effort was off target but we didn’t have to wait long to open scoring. A Gallagher corner drifted toward the back post and gave Silva a simple finish on the run.

It was deserved reward for a confident start, with the Blues knocking the ball around smoothly.

The only scare came when a stray pass from Silva put McBurnie in for the Blades. He found Brereton Diaz inside the penalty area but Moises Caicedo was back to deflect the ball away from goal.

Hosts hit back

It was a moment that gave United confidence and they soon pulled themselves level.

Gustavo Hamer first forced Djordje Petrovic into action with a curled effort from just outside the area. And moments later, Hamer’s pinpoint pass put Bogle behind the Blues’ defence and his effort had too much power for Petrovic to keep out.

Chelsea almost found an instant response when Enzo Fernandez superbly picked out Madueke, only for a last-ditch tackle from Jack Robinson to deny him.

A rapid break then saw Marc Cucurella find space down the left, with his cross only narrowly failing to find Jackson.

Back in front

The second half began with the hosts pushing forward. Petrovic was required to be alert on two United corners in quick succession before McBurnie flashed a header just wide of the Chelsea goal.

The influential Hamer was next to go close with a powerful drive that had Petrovic scrambling. At the other end, Cucurella forced Bogle into some excellent defending after another Enzo pass.

Silva then went close to a second from another deep corner, but his header was held by Ivo Grbic in the United goal. Madueke then saw an effort fly over after some nice link play with Enzo.

But the winger made no mistake when he was allowed to cut inside a minute later. Palmer found Madueke out wide, he drove into the penalty area and then reversed his shot into the near post. It was a fine finish.

Late heartbreak

Chelsea came close to adding a third when Palmer drove an effort from distance toward goal that was saved well by Grbic.

It proved the England international's last involvement as he was replaced by Carney Chukwuemeka and Mykhailo Mudryk was soon introduced for Madueke.

A reminder of the danger that comes with a one-goal lead then came when Petrovic had to make an excellent save to keep out Robinson’s looping header. Sadly the Blues didn't heed the warning.

In added time, a cross wasn't properly cleared and in the ensuing scramble, McBurnie rammed the ball home from only a few yards to snatch a point for the home side.

What it means

The draw leaves us ninth place in the Premier League, three behind Newcastle United in eighth but with a game in hand.

What is next

We are back in Premier League action for a Monday night assignment on April 15. We welcome Everton to Stamford Bridge for an 8pm kick-off.

The teams

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Chalobah, Disasi, Thiago Silva, Cucurella (Badiashile 92); Caicedo, Enzo; Palmer (Chukwuemeka 74), Gallagher (c), Madueke (Mudryk 82); Jackson (Casadei 92)
Unused subs: Bettinelli, Sharman-Lowe, Gilchrist, Sterling, Deivid Washington
Scorers: Thiago Silva 11, Madueke 66
Bookings: Chalobah 41, Cucurella 86

Sheffield United (3-5-2): Grbic; Holgate (McAtee 76), Ahmedhodzic, Robinson (Souza 91); Trusty (Archer 87), Hamer, Arblaster, Osborn, Bogle; McBurnie, Brereton
Unused subs: Foderingham, Norwood, Ben Slimane, Larouci, Osula, Brooks
Scorers: Bogle 32, McBurnie 90+3
Bookings: Brereton 52, Robinson 58, Arblaster 89, Ahmedhodzic 90+8

Referee: Robert Jones

Attendance: 28,638