Both teams went into this traditionally feisty fixture having accumulated four points from their opening two games, displaying positive forward-thinking football in the process. That the 3-0 scoreline fell in favour of Leeds United may have surprised many, but the West Yorkshire side didn’t need the luck Tottenham Hotspur were awarded last weekend by Mike Dean, in order to take points off Chelsea.
Despite the drama at Stamford Bridge last Sunday, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel was present on the touchline for the visit to Elland Road having had his one game ban suspended, witnessing Conor Gallagher’s first Premier League start for his side in the absence of N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic.
Raphinha who?
Leeds supporters are currently in possession of the league’s top scorer in Rodrigo, who took his tally to four goals in three games following his brace against the West London team. With last season's main man Raphinha having strung opponents Chelsea out during a summer saga in order to cling on to his dream transfer to Barcelona, if any side were lamenting the Brazilian’s absence from proceedings, it was more likely to be the visitors who lost out on his signature.
American Dreams
Leeds manager Jesse Marsch's delight was clear for all to see, as is his side’s league position, sitting behind Arsenal and Manchester City in third. Though Champions League places aren’t handed out in August, it marks a drastic change since Marsch took over the helm from Marcelo Bielsa. Leeds will be hoping that they can remain in the top half of the table and get their talisman Patrick Bamford back to full fitness to add the squad depth they lacked last season.
Mendy's footwork ain't fancy
Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy lost out to the impressive Brenden Aaronsen in a game of keep ball whilst attempting to trick his way around the American, who promptly dispossessed the Senegalese number one and poked the ball over the line for Leeds United’s opening goal.
Perhaps understandably, Mendy looked shaky for the remainder of the first half especially, conceding just minutes later, seeing his side with a two goal deficit before the break. More will be said about Chelsea’s pursuit of defensive targets Wesley Fofana and Frankie De Jong whilst the transfer window remains open.
Kalidou Koulibaly’s red card came too late in the game to impact on-field events, but his early yellow card did ensure that he walked a tightrope for the vast majority of the game. His sending off, having been earlier warned by the referee that he was on a yellow card, had a sense of inevitability when it came in the closing stages of the match.
Come in number nine
Sometimes Chelsea have an occupant of their number nine shirt, sometimes they need one. More often than not, goals do not come in their droves for the player in that position, so much so that players are rumoured to avoid the number at the club.
Armando Broja aside, currently struggling with injury and not, by Chelsea’s standards, a first-team staple, no player at Chelsea is what you would consider an out and out striker. Raheem Sterling has added attacking quality but a commanding front man is still lacking. Mason Mount drew a fine save from Illan Meslier in the opening minutes, but otherwise the Leeds goalkeeper remained relatively untroubled. Chelsea need the kind of forward they haven’t had since Diego Costa.
Will he who dares, win?