Chelsea show their cutting edge

Sheffield United 0 Chelsea 2: Chelsea have reclaimed top spot in the Premiership, for the moment at least, after a 2-0 win over…

Sheffield United 0 Chelsea 2:Chelsea have reclaimed top spot in the Premiership, for the moment at least, after a 2-0 win over Sheffield United at Bramell Lane.

Goals at either side of halftime for Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack took the fight out of the Blades after Chelsea 'keeper Hilario saved a Danny Webber penalty.

Webber got an opportunity from 12 yards in the 17th minute after Didier Drogba was deemed to have taken down Claude Davis in the area.

Chelsea's third-choice keeper Hilario lived up to his end of the bargain however, and saved Webber's soft effort low on his left hand side.

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That made it three misses from three penalties for the promoted club this season, and with just for goals in their first nine games, the lowest in the division, it is a profligacy they can ill-afford.

Chelsea broke through two minutes before the break when United keeper Paddy Kenny, who had brilliantly saved a Lampard header moments earlier, horribly misjudged a the midfielder's 25 yard free kick, allowing the ball to fly past the wall and straight into the middle of the goal.

Mourinho made one change at the break with Salomon Kalou replacing Drogba, but the home side forced an early corner from which the impressive Davis caused more problems in the Chelsea box.

But the Blades' good work was undone in the 50th minute when Lampard got behind the home defence on the right and crossed to the far post where Ballack rose highest to head home from point-blank range.

It was harsh on Neil Warnock's men but as Bramall Lane quietened the champions sought to press home their advantage, Lampard firing over from long-range then just wide from a Bridge cross.

Kenny came to the home side's rescue with a brave save at the feet of Robben in the 54th minute as the visitors belatedly began to show their quality.

Gillespie tried to bring the home side back into it with a fizzing effort which flashed inches over the bar, only for referee Atkinson to change his mind and blow for an earlier free-kick infringement.

That momentary controversy galvanised the home side again, with tackles beginning to fly in and Montgomery was booked for hacking down the flying Kalou on Chelsea's left wing.

Ballack came close to grabbing his second with a 65th minute snap-shot from close to the penalty spot which flashed inches over Kenny's bar.

The champions return to the top of the league on 25 points, though that tally can be matched by Manchester United, who visit third-placed Bolton Wanderers this afternoon.