Report: Chelsea 3-1 Leeds United

Report: Chelsea 3-1 Leeds United

Whites defeated at Stamford Bridge.

Premier League

Chelsea 3 (Giroud 27, Zouma 61, Pulisic 90)

Leeds United 1 (Bamford 4)

Chelsea: Mendy, Chilwell, Zouma, Silva, James, Kante, Mount, Ziyech (Pulisic 30), Havertz (Kovacic 67), Werner, Giroud (Abraham 79).  Subs not used: Kepa, Rudiger, Jorginho, Azpilicueta.

Leeds United: Meslier, Ayling, Koch (Llorente 9), Cooper, Alioski (Rodrigo 69), Phillips, Dallas, Klich, Harrison (Poveda 57), Raphinha, Bamford.  Subs not used: Casilla, Roberts, Costa, Struijk.


Leeds United’s first game in front of supporters since March, ended in defeat, as Chelsea came from behind to win at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea threatened inside the first minute when Hakim Ziyech latched onto a through ball from Thiago Silva, with Illan Meslier making a good stop to deny him and from the resulting corner, Olivier Giroud went close, heading into the side netting.

Leeds took the lead in the fourth minute of the match, hitting Chelsea on the break, Kalvin Phillips played a wonderful pass from the left flank into the path of Patrick Bamford in the centre, he then rounded the outcoming Edouard Mendy, before slotting into the empty net.

The Whites were dealt an injury blow in the ninth minute, with Robin Koch unable to continue, and Diego Llorente coming on for his debut in his place.

Chelsea should have levelled from a corner, with Giroud’s header going close, it was blocked on the line by Timo Werner, who then hit the bar from a yard out.

Leeds continued to cause Chelsea problems and nearly doubled the lead when Mateusz Klich reached the byline and cut the ball back for Bamford, but he couldn’t keep his first time strike down.

Ezgjan Alioski hit the post for Leeds in the 19th minute when he met a Luke Ayling cross, however following the play the offside flag was raised, with Ayling appearing to be just offside when making his run prior to his ball in.

Giroud almost got the Blues back into the match when he latched onto a loose Meslier pass with his strike deflecting just wide, whilst Bamford worked Mendy with a low strike from the edge of the box.

Chelsea levelled the scores in the 27th minute, following some good build up play, Reece James’ low cross was converted on the volley by Giroud.

Both sides continued to threat, without testing either goalkeeper before the break. Timo Werner saw an effort blocked by Liam Cooper, Raphinha struck the post from a narrow angle and James struck wide, as the two teams went in level at the break.

HALF TIME: Chelsea 1-1 Leeds United

After the break Chelsea had the opportunity to go ahead from a free kick. James whipped in a cross from the left flank, but Kai Havertz could only head over from close range.

Leeds then created an opportunity from a set piece, with Raphinha picked out on the edge of the box from a corner. He saw a volley blocked, before firing over with his second attempt on the rebound.

The Whites had Illan Meslier to thank for keeping the scores level when he made a superb double save to deny Werner from a narrow angle, before Mason Mount’s follow up was blocked by Ezgjan Alioski.

However, there was nothing Meslier could do from the resulting corner, with Kurt Zouma heading home Mount’s delivery.

The hosts almost added to their advantage when Ben Chilwell’s low cross pinged around the Leeds box off Alioski, Pulisic and Giroud, before bouncing just wide.

Next Werner met a dangerous cross from Mount, but Meslier made another fantastic save, before Giroud headed over at the resulting corner.

With 12 minutes remaining Leeds substitute Ian Poveda showed his threat, cutting in from the right before striking from the edge of the box, forcing Mendy into a decent stop.

Chelsea substitute Tammy Abraham dragged an effort wide in the closing stages before Christian Pulisic eventually put the hosts 3-1 ahead in additional time.

FULL TIME: Chelsea 3–1 Leeds United


Booked: Llorente, Raphinha

Referee: Kevin Friend

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Attendance: 2,000

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