Just when Manchester United's players were starting to have the look of potential champions, they threw in their sloppiest performance this season to lose to the Premier League's worst team.
A 2-1 home loss to last-place Sheffield United not only prevented Man United from returning to first place at the expense of fierce rival Manchester City. It also undid much of the impressive work Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team has produced in recent months, exposing its lack of depth and defensive frailties in an alarming 90 minutes at Old Trafford.
Suddenly, it's advantage Man City in a title race that has ebbed and flowed all season. City leads by a point from United and has a game in hand over its neighbor.
Sheffield United's manager Chris Wilder gestures during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Sheffield United at Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. (AP PhotoLaurence Griffiths,Pool)
A series of defensive blunders led to Sheffield United's deflected 74th-minute winner — scored by Oliver Burke — which also enlivened the battle to avoid relegation.
That's two victories in three league matches for Chris Wilder's team, which was winless until beating Newcastle on Jan. 12 and heading for one of the worst campaigns in the Premier League's 29-year history.
Now, the gap to safety is only 10 points and the so-called “great escape” could be on.
Chelsea's head coach Thomas Tuchel reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge Stadium in London, England, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. (Richard HeathcotePool via AP)
Thomas Tuchel's first game in charge of Chelsea ended in a 0-0 draw at home to Wolves, while Burnley twice came from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-2.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford's error allowed Leicester to equalize in the second half in a 1-1 draw at Everton, while Brighton and Fulham drew 0-0.
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Chelsea's head coach Thomas Tuchel reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge Stadium in London, England, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. (Richard HeathcotePool via AP)
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Everton's goalkeeper Jordan Pickford fals to same the shot by Leicester's Youri Tielemans who scored his side's opening goal during the English Premier League match between Everton and Leicester City at the Goodison Park stadium in Liverpool, England, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. (Paul EllisPool via AP)