Chelsea 3-2 Leeds United
Leeds United’s travelling fans didn’t leave Stamford Bridge in a hurry.
After all, they had seen their side secure four points in their last two matches by scoring in the 94th and 95th minutes – most recently at home to Brentford in the Premier League last weekend.
Yet this time it was quite the opposite as Chelsea grabbed the last-gasp goal in a game in which boss Thomas Tuchel insisted they needed to get back to basics.
For a little while, it looked worrying for the west Londoners who led through a 28th minute penalty from acclaimed Brazilian Raphinha – who else(!) – after Marcos Alonso had fouled new signing Daniel James.
However, with two spot kicks of their own, Chelsea turned the match around to complete their own afternoon of Premier League highlights and end their recent domestic wobble.
In a feisty encounter, how they needed this win; how it was hard not to feel sympathy for Leeds.
Highlights of the game
Already without Mateo Kovacic, who tested positive for Covid-19 this week, Tuchel didn’t want to be another midfielder down so selected Jorginho despite him suffering from back pain.
With N’Golo Kante and defender Trevoh Chalobah sidelined by injuries, that meant two changes for the hosts from their 3-2 defeat at West Ham seven days ago.
Timo Werner and Cesar Azpilicueta retained their places from Wednesday’s 3-3 Champions League draw with Zenit St Petersburg as Hakim Ziyech and Andreas Christensen started on the bench.
Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa was forced into two changes of his own with midfielder Kalvin Phillips and captain Liam Cooper out with hamstring injuries – in came Jack Harrison and Jamie Shackleton.
In a further blow, last season’s top scorer Patrick Bamford – who has only just returned to action – was absent with a muscle problem with club record signing Rodrigo missing due to pain in his heel.
After a dominant start, the smart money was on Chelsea taking the lead yet after James was fouled, Raphinha made a stuttering run up before despatching the ball past Edouard Mendy from 12 yards.
That’s how it stayed until three minutes before the break when Alonso made amends, delivering an early cross into the box where Mason Mount arrived between two defenders to tuck home.
Parity restored, Chelsea went for the jugular early in the second half and in a role reversal, this time it was Raphinha’s turn to be the fall guy as he slid into Antonio Rudiger 13 minutes after restart.
Jorginho’s penalties are like gold dust for Chelsea and this was another textbook finish to put the home side in front.
Instead of settling them down, Chelsea were then pushed back as Leeds produced their best spell of the match.
When Raphinha left the fray to be replaced by Joe Gelhardt, it was clear the visitors were running out of time.
Yet the teenager has made a promising impression over the last few months and when he scored with his first touch, the groans around the majority of Stamford Bridge were clear.
After his dream strike though, there was to be no dream result for the 19 year-old.
Instead, just as it seemed the SBOTOP Premier League betting odds were going to be turned on their head, there was one more twist.
Ninety minutes were on the clock when Rudiger was brought down again, this time by Mateusz Klich, and Jorginho sent Illan Meslier the wrong way from the spot.
As the Bridge erupted, Chelsea had saved themselves.
On a day all three of the title contenders benefited from what some may consider fortuitous penalties, their challenge is back on track.
Key statistics
Leeds have won one just one of the past 11 meetings in all competitions.
They have now lost five consecutive Premier League away fixtures against Chelsea.
Mount has been directly involved in Chelsea’s last five Premier League goals from open play, scoring three and providing two assists.
Rudiger is only the second Chelsea player to win two penalties in a single Premier League match, after Yuri Zhirkov against Aston Villa in March 2010.
Raphinha has been directly involved in eight of Leeds’ 17 league goals this season, scoring seven and setting up one.
Gelhardt is the first teenager to score a Premier League goal for Leeds since James Milner against Everton in April 2004.
Chelsea have conceded eight goals across their last three games in all competitions, as many goals as they had conceded in their previous 18 matchesTop of Form
What’s next?
Chelsea are back at the Bridge on Thursday night (December 16) at home to Everton before travelling to Wolves next Sunday.
Meanwhile, Leeds have another tough task as they travel to champions Manchester City on Tuesday evening and then entertain Arsenal next Saturday teatime.
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