Leeds smash Chelsea in Elland Road shock
Fast start and early pressure
Leeds delivered their best performance of the season in a 3-1 home win over Chelsea that lifted them out of the Premier League bottom three. Elland Road was loud and Leeds attacked straight away.
Jaka Bijol opened the scoring after six minutes with a strong header from Anton Stach’s corner. Robert Sánchez reached it but could not keep it out.
Leeds control the first half
Leeds continued to press and created more chances through Pascal Struijk and Ao Tanaka. Chelsea did not manage a clear attempt until Liam Delap forced a simple save from Lucas Perri after 39 minutes.
Two minutes before half-time, Leeds doubled their lead. Lukas Nmecha won the ball high up the pitch and Tanaka hit a clean 25-yard strike into the bottom corner for his first goal of the season.
Chelsea respond after the break
Chelsea pulled a goal back five minutes into the second half. Jamie Gittens beat Jayden Bogle and crossed to the far post for substitute Pedro Neto to score.
Leeds thought they had their third soon after, but Nmecha’s finish was ruled offside. Chelsea then sent on Alejandro Garnacho and Cole Palmer, with Palmer missing a big chance from a low cut-back.
Calvert-Lewin seals the result
The game was decided in the 72nd minute. Tosin Adarabioyo played a weak back-pass to Sánchez, Leeds substitute Noah Okafor challenged for the ball, and it broke for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to tap in.
Chelsea had possession late on, but Leeds stayed organised and wasted further chances through Gabriel Gudmundsson and Okafor.
Leeds climb while Chelsea slip
The final whistle confirmed Leeds’ first league win since late October, breaking a run of four straight defeats. It also ended Chelsea’s momentum after strong results against Barcelona and Arsenal, and increased the pressure on the London club.
