Mauricio Pochettino's side were sleepwalking towards another dispiriting result before their key man grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck
Cole Palmer woke Chelsea from their slumber to inspire the Blues to a 2-0 victory over bottom club Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The Blues clicked into gear after a first 45 that will go down as one of the most forgettable in Premier League history, and were rewarded inside 10 minutes of the second period as Palmer rounded off a fine passing move by side-footing home Raheem Sterling's cross.
The lead was swiftly doubled as Palmer turned provider for Nicolas Jackson, pouncing on a goalkeeping error to lay it on a plate for the striker.
Substitute Armando Broja and Jackson both missed gilt-edged chances to put further gloss on the scoreline, but the points were secure.
GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Stamford Bridge…
GettyGoalkeeper & Defence
Djordje Petrovic (6/10):
Completely untested on his full debut in truth.
Axel Disasi (7/10):
Not a natural full-back but performed admirably, growing in confidence and bombing down the right.
Thiago Silva (6/10):
Not unduly bothered by a blunt Blades attack. Needed a strong performance after his error at Newcastle.
Benoit Badiashile (6/10):
A calm display at the back. Passed smoothly and did the basics in a fairly straightforward examination.
Levi Colwill (6/10):
Didn't get forward much which meant he wasn't really involved in the vast majority of the play at the other end.
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Moises Caicedo (7/10):
Arguably his best performance in blue so far. Mopped up on the rare occasions Sheffield United countered and drove his team forwards.
Conor Gallagher (6/10):
Industrious as ever and his forward thrust was crucial to Chelsea building momentum after the break. Very harshly booked.
Cole Palmer (8/10):
Completely anonymous in the first half, game-changing in the second. Combined excellently with Sterling to open the scoring and was very smart to play to the whistle to assist Jackson.
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Raheem Sterling (7/10):
Worked tirelessly down the right flank and helped to get his team off the mark with a smart assist after a drop of the shoulder.
Nicolas Jackson (6/10):
Another fairly quiet performance but took the one clear opening that came his way so hard to be too critical.
Mykhailo Mudryk (6/10):
Some bright moments and a better striker might have pounced on the chances he created. Subbed with 25 to play.
GettySubs & Manager
Enzo Fernandez (6/10):
Introduced with the job already done but kept things ticking over. Will be glad to have had a bit of a rest.
Armando Broja (5/10):
Ran the defence hard but will be gutted to have missed an absolute sitter.
Malo Gusto (N/A):
On to see out the game.
Ian Maatsen (N/A):
Subbed on to use up some time.
Mauricio Pochettino (7/10):
Whatever the manager said at half-time, it worked. The Argentine will have been mightily underwhelmed by the first-half display, but his players responded and they simply have to use this as a platform to achieve better things.