Chelsea 3-1 Leeds United: Blues go top after comeback win in front of fans
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Patrick Bamford’s goal is the earliest Chelsea have conceded in the Premier League since May 2017
Chelsea went top of the Premier League as they came from behind to beat Leeds United in their first game in front of fans for nine months.
Former Blues striker Patrick Bamford, who spent five years at Chelsea without making a senior appearance, gave Leeds an early lead at Stamford Bridge after getting between defender Kurt Zouma and keeper Edouard Mendy.
Timo Werner then somehow managed to miss from point-blank range after Olivier Giroud’s flicked header from a corner, the Germany forward hitting the underside of the bar before Leeds cleared.
However, Giroud marked his first league start of the season with his fifth goal of the week, the scorer of all four of Chelsea’s Champions League goals away to Sevilla in midweek poking home from five yards after Reece James’ cross.
Chelsea, who welcomed 2,000 fans back to Stamford Bridge after coronavirus restrictions were eased, went ahead as Zouma headed in from Mason Mount’s corner.
Substitute Christian Pulisic added a late third from Werner’s pass, with the United States winger becoming the 13th different player to score for Chelsea in the Premier League this season.
Chelsea, who started the day third, are one point clear at the top.
Chelsea welcome fans back in style
There were scenes of celebration after the final whistle as Blues boss Frank Lampard went over to applaud fans inside the ground, who gave the players a standing ovation while they headed for the dressing room.
One supporter held up a banner which read “It’s great to be back” and Chelsea certainly relished the occasion as they turned on the style.
When they last moved to the summit after a win at Newcastle on 21 November, Lampard said he was not going to “get excited about being top for five minutes”.
Within a few hours they had been replaced by Tottenham following a win over Manchester City later the same day.
Lampard ‘delighted’ with Chelsea victory
Lampard’s side will at least enjoy being top a while longer this time, although they could be overtaken by Tottenham and Liverpool on Sunday.
Nevertheless, this was a highly satisfactory victory.
While France’s World Cup winner Giroud made the most of his first league start of 2020-21, Werner will wonder how on earth he did not score.
After his astonishing miss, Werner was thwarted on three occasions by Leeds keeper Illan Meslier, while Kai Havertz headed another chance over.
Unbeaten in nine top-flight games, Chelsea are handling the hectic Champions League-Premier League schedule well.
After securing top spot in their European group, Lampard’s men are looking down on all the rest in England.
Bamford makes impact on return
Bamford arrived at Stamford Bridge with a point to prove – and, despite his team’s defeat, left after once again demonstrating he belongs on the Premier League stage.
The 27-year-old was overlooked during his time at Chelsea, leaving for Middlesbrough in 2017 after five years in London without playing a competitive senior game.
In an extraordinary opening, and after the hosts had twice gone close in the first two minutes, Bamford got between Zouma and Mendy to connect with Jack Harrison’s threaded pass to fire Leeds ahead.
It was another classy finish by Bamford, who is now level with Leicester’s Jamie Vardy and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in terms of top-flight goals in 2020-21.
Incredibly, seven of his eight league goals have come away from Elland Road, with Bamford scoring in five of Leeds’ six away games this season.
His side, however, could not capitalise.
‘Difficult’ defeat gives Leeds opportunity to learn, says Bielsa
Having beaten former leaders Everton in their previous game, they were unable to stop Chelsea from going top.
Before this weekend only Liverpool had more attempts in the Premier League than Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
They had another eight against Chelsea but could not respond once Zouma headed the hosts ahead.
‘Defeats an opportunity to learn’ – what they said
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard: “I was nervous of Leeds. They’re a threat until the end if you don’t get a cushion.
“They are pretty unique in their style and they’re well coached. We knew it was a big task. Character-wise and performance-wise, on lots of levels, I’m absolutely delighted.”
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa: “It was difficult for us to stop them playing out from the back with their centre-backs and [midfielder] N’Golo Kante.
“I never question the refereeing decisions and this game was not decided by the referee. He did not decide the game. Always defeats are an opportunity to learn something.”
Vulnerable at set-pieces – the stats
What’s next?
Chelsea, who have already sealed top spot, host Russian side Krasnodar in their sixth and final Champions League Group E game on Tuesday (20:00 GMT), while Leeds are back in Premier League action next Friday against West Ham at Elland Road (20:00).
Player of the match
GiroudOlivier Giroud
Chelsea
Squad number18Player nameGiroud
Squad number10Player namePulisic
Squad number24Player nameJames
Squad number15Player nameZouma
Squad number7Player nameKanté
Squad number19Player nameMount
Squad number6Player nameThiago Silva
Squad number21Player nameChilwell
Squad number17Player nameKovacic
Squad number11Player nameWerner
Squad number16Player nameMendy
Squad number22Player nameZiyech
Squad number9Player nameAbraham
Squad number29Player nameHavertz
Leeds United
Squad number1Player nameMeslier
Squad number9Player nameBamford
Squad number23Player namePhillips
Squad number7Player namePoveda-Ocampo
Squad number2Player nameAyling
Squad number18Player nameRaphinha
Squad number15Player nameDallas
Squad number20Player nameRodrigo
Squad number43Player nameKlich
Squad number6Player nameCooper
Squad number14Player nameLlorente
Squad number10Player nameAlioski
Squad number5Player nameKoch
Squad number22Player nameHarrison
Line-ups Chelsea
Substitutes
Leeds
Substitutes
Live Text
Match ends, Chelsea 3, Leeds United 1.
90’+5′
Second Half ends, Chelsea 3, Leeds United 1.
90’+5′
Raphinha (Leeds United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
90’+5′
Foul by Raphinha (Leeds United).
90’+5′
Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) wins a free kick on the left wing.
90’+3′
Goal! Chelsea 3, Leeds United 1. Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) left footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Timo Werner following a fast break.
90’+1′
Foul by Mateusz Klich (Leeds United).
90’+1′
Tammy Abraham (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
87′
Attempt missed. Tammy Abraham (Chelsea) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Timo Werner.
83′
Attempt blocked. Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Timo Werner.
81′
Offside, Leeds United. Stuart Dallas tries a through ball, but Ian Poveda-Ocampo is caught offside.
81′
Attempt missed. Reece James (Chelsea) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Mason Mount with a cross following a corner.
80′
Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Liam Cooper.
80′
Ian Poveda-Ocampo (Leeds United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
80′
Foul by Reece James (Chelsea).
79′
Substitution, Chelsea. Tammy Abraham replaces Olivier Giroud.
78′
Attempt saved. Ian Poveda-Ocampo (Leeds United) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
77′
Attempt missed. Olivier Giroud (Chelsea) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Mason Mount with a cross following a corner.
76′
Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Illan Meslier.
76′
Attempt saved. Timo Werner (Chelsea) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Mason Mount.
