STRIKES from Olivier Giroud, Kurt Zouma and Christian Pulisic have wrapped up three points for Chelsea after Patrick Bamford gave Leeds a shock opener.
Patrick Bamford fired the visitors ahead after a promising spell for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, then Timo Werner somehow missed a sitter from less than a yard out before Olivier Giroud grabbed an equaliser.
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THANKS FOR JOINING US
That’s all for tonight, as Chelsea overcame Leeds to end the day at the top of the Premier League table for the first time in two years.
Next up for the Blues is a home game on Tuesday against Krasnodar in the Champions League, before Frank Lampard and his side travel to Goodison Park to face Everton a week today.
Leeds meanwhile are next in action at home to West Ham on Friday evening.
That’s all for now though.
Thanks for joining us, it’s been a pleasure.
MATCH REPORT
Plenty to talk about from tonight’s game, as Chelsea came from behind to beat Leeds 3-1 and top the Premier League table.
Patrick Bamford scored against his old club to put the visitors ahead, before Olivier Giroud equalised for the hosts.
Kurt Zouma’s powerful header put the Blues ahead with half an hour to play, before Christian Pulisic sealed the victory with a matter of seconds left on the clock.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE MATCH REPORT FROM TODAY’S GAME.
CELEBRATIONS
The Chelsea players celebrate going 3-1 up with seconds left to play, and securing all three points.
Credit: AP:Associated Press
STANDINGS
Defeat sees Leeds United fall to 13th place in the league, but the Whites more than matched Chelsea in the first half and should have more than enough to secure survival this season.
FRANK’S THOUGHTS
These are the full time thoughts of Chelsea boss Frank Lampard:
“Well we started brilliantly, and in the first few minutes, in the first passes or little passage of the game they score.
“So there’s the test straight away against a team of their quality, but I think over the period of the game we created so many opportunities, real clear cut ones, good opportunities.
“We stayed positive against a team that stresses you and strains you in how they move and the energy in their team.
“You have to defend well, you have to accept they’re probably going to get chances because of the amount of numbers they got forward at different times, but we dominated the game in terms of the action in the boxes.”
“And [we] fully deserved the win, I just wanted it to be more comfortable and it was [for] probably about the last thirty seconds.”
COOPER SPEAKS
This is what Leeds United captain Liam Cooper has to say at full time:
“Difficult, a fair result in the end I’d say.
“Second half we weren’t at our best, we’ll go away and analyse that and we’ll look to improve in the next game.
“Chelsea are a good team, they’ll be up there at the end of the season, and yeah disappointed.
“I don’t think we got into the game as much as we should of and as much as we have, and yeah that’s disappointing.
“But as a group we’ll stick together and like I said look to improve [in the] next game.”
SITTING PRETTY
Chelsea fans will be loving the look of the Premier League table overnight.
Tottenham and Liverpool could leapfrog the Blues tomorrow, but Chelsea have certainly made their case that they will be up there at the end of the season.
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Frank Lampard celebrates with the Chelsea fans at the full time whistle.
Credit: AFP
OLIVIER’S THOUGHTS
Chelsea goalscorer Olivier Giroud has this to say at half time:
“Honestly it’s one of the best teams I’ve faced for a few months physically.
“They run everywhere it was so hard, maybe it’s because I didn’t play for two months and I’ve played two games, but, well it’s a great feeling to win tonight.”
FULL TIME STATS
The visitors shaded the possession of the game, but had 8 shots compared to Chelsea’s 23.
Leeds managed just 3 efforts on target, whereas Chelsea had 8 efforts on goal.
SEALER
Christian Pulisic slides in to meet Timo Werner’s cross, and seal the three points one minute before full time.
Credit: PA:Press Association
Credit: AFP
BLUES HIT THE FRONT
Here’s a look at Kurt Zouma’s header that put the Blues 2-1 in front.
CHELSEA 3-1 LEEDS
After an even first half, Chelsea will feel like their second half performance merited them coming away with all three points.
FULL TIME: CHELSEA 3-1 LEEDS
CHELSEA GO TOP OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE!
CHELSEA 3-1 LEEDS
94. Leeds yellow card.
Sheer frustration from Raphinha sees him earn a place in Kevin Friend’s book.
CHELSEA 3-1 LEEDS
94. Chelsea break forward and catch Leeds as they try to pour bodies forward.
Kovacic releases Werner, who bears down on goal, and squares the ball across to Pulisic who guides the ball past Meslier on the slide!
That’s game over now!
GOOOAAAALL!
GAME OVER!
3-1 TO THE BLUES!
CHELSEA 2-1 LEEDS
91. Leeds are running out of time to grab something from the game, but are trying to fashion one more chance before full time.
CHELSEA 2-1 LEEDS
90. Four minutes of added time is signalled by the fourth official.
CHELSEA 2-1 LEEDS
88. James does brilliantly in his own box, stealing the ball off Poveda and then playing the ball off the Leeds man to earn his side a goal kick.
He’s met by huge cheers from the home crowd.
CHELSEA 2-1 LEEDS
87. JUST WIDE!
Dallas slips, and gives the ball away to Werner.
Werner drives forward, and slides in Abraham who shoots across goal, but drags his effort just wide of Meslier’s far post.
CHELSEA 2-1 LEEDS
86. Silva is back on his feet, and will be ok to continue on.
CHELSEA 2-1 LEEDS
85. Thiago Silva is down for the hosts, who have made all three substitutes already.
CHELSEA 2-1 LEEDS
84. CHANCE!
Klich plays a lovely reverse pass into Rodrigo.
The forward spins and drills the ball towards Bamford in the six yard box.
Bamford can’t make his mind up whether to shoot or take a touch, and in the end does neither.
The ball bounces off his foot and out for a goal kick.
CHELSEA 2-1 LEEDS
83. Timo Werner goes down under a Stuart Dallas challenge, but Kevin Friend is not interested in that one at all.
Leeds have seven minutes left to fashion an equaliser.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
