LEEDS suffered a major blow as star striker Patrick Bamford limped off in their 0-0 draw with Chelsea.
Bamford appeared to hurt himself jumping for the ball with Antonio Rudiger in the 35th minute of the Elland Road stalemate.
Follow ALL of the latest reaction below…
THAT’S ALL FROM ELLAND ROAD
Sadly the boys kind of let us down today because we didn’t see the goal-fest that was hoped for but it was still entertaining.
Leeds actually had the ball in the back of the net within the first ten minutes but Bamford received the ball in an offside position so it was rightfully ruled out.
After that slight scare, Chelsea began to take control of the half by popping the ball around and fashioning a few chances themselves.
However, the Whites were the ones who almost handed the lead to them when Luke Ayling struck the ball off Diego Llorente trying to make a clearance which then deflected onto their own crossbar and gracefully fell in the hands of Meslier.
Tyler Roberts evened up the crossbar score moments later when he watched his looped effort tipped onto the woodwork by Mendy.
The second half saw a lot of attacking intent but it lacked that real quality in the final third from both sides.
But Mendy was forced into making an acrobatic stop to keep the home side at bay.
So Chelsea’s unbeaten run under Thomas Tuchel stretches to 12 in all competitions and Leeds pick up their first draw in 18 matches.
Thanks for sticking with me everyone and enjoy the rest of your weekend family!
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Next up for Chelsea?
The Blues welcome struggling sides Sheffield United and West Brom to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League before a trip across London to Crystal Palace.
However on Wednesday, Thomas Tuchel’s men have that all important second leg against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
CURRENT LEAGUE STANDINGS
A stalemate means that Leeds stay in 11th but close the gap on Arsenal to two points.
As for the Blues, they climb a little closer to Leicester but miss out on the chance to go 3rd.
And the top of the table is so tight that if the three teams below Chelsea all win this weekend, Thomas Tuchel’s men can drop to 7th!
AYLING’S ANALYSIS
The Leeds defender discussing the chances in the match and letting the media know that his side are satisfied with a 0-0 draw.
Ayling said: “It’s a fair result and I think there weren’t many chances in the game. We tried to press them high up the pitch and make it hard for them.
“We broke the press a few times but they weren’t many chances I don’t think.
“If you look at the chances then our chance was probably the best chance of the game where Raph [Raphinha] on other days probably would have scored it.
“A real sloppy game for both teams but a good point for us.”
THE GOAL HAS BEEN MENDED
Another game and another clean sheet for that man in the Chelsea goal. He has been a inspiration to his side.
FULL TIME STATS
The Blues continued to dominate possession and quite frankly every other statistic but Leeds stayed strong and was able to leave Elland Road with a point.
TUCHEL’S THOUGHTS
The Chelsea boss ruing the chances that his side missed today but mentions that he doesn’t want to be too harsh on the players.
Tuchel said: “We had a couple of chances to go 1-0 ahead but in the end they trouble you and put pressure on you and the more minutes you need to make a goal, the more they believe.
“There were enough chances but sometimes it’s like this so I don’t want to be too harsh.
“It happens sometimes that it’s hard to score, you miss some big chances and it ends up with a zero zero.”
“As long as we have chances as long as we have a lot of touches in the box and we don’t concede too many chances, the results will be there.”
EXCITING STALEMATE
It’s been over four years since we witnessed a goal-less draw in the Premier League with 12 shots on target.
NO BREAKTHROUGH AT ELLAND ROAD
It had the quality to be a firecracker but a draw is the right result. Leeds will definitely be the happier of the two.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
YEP THAT’S IT!
NO GOALS IN THIS ONE!
BUT ENETERTAINING NEVERTHELESS!
FT: LEEDS 0-0 CHELSEA
LEEDS 0-0 CHELSEA
90+2. The ball was put right in the mixer by Reece James but it was a poor header from Werner.
And that should be enough to see Leeds have their first draw in 18 matches.. yes 18!
LEEDS 0-0 CHELSEA
90+1. Corner for Chelsea in the dying stages.
Can the Blues capitalise on what is an achilles heel for Leeds this season having conceded to 14 set pieces?
THREE MINUTES OF ADDITIONAL TIME!
LEEDS 0-0 CHELSEA
85. Lovely drop of the shoulder and shot by Callum Hudson-Odoi but again, the effort was tamed and was directed straight at the goalkeeper.
It’s been the story of the game for both teams so far, a lot of attacking intent but a real lack in quality in the final third.
MAD MARCELO
When Marcelo Bielsa is up on his feet, he’s not happy if you couldn’t tell. As a matter of fact, he was just heard shouting in Spanish, that says it all.
LEEDS 0-0 CHELSEA
80. Callum Hudson-Odoi has been sent on to replace Mason Mount.
Can he save the day?
LEEDS 0-0 CHELSEA
78. And Surprisingly, that was Rodrigo’s last bit of action because he has been subbed off for Klich in what seems to be tactical.
Meaning that the sub has been subbed which is the second time that has happened to him this season.
LEEDS 0-0 CHELSEA
77. Free header for Rodrigo but he directed it straight into the hands of Mendy.
That could of been the breakthrough.
LEEDS 0-0 CHELSEA
76. That deflection could of gone anywhere!
Leeds put some good play of their own together which resulted in Ayling having a shot but Reece James put his body on the line to get the ball clear.
Corner for the home side.
LEEDS 0-0 CHELSEA
72. Even Rudiger is getting on the shooting act now and it seems as if he’s been given the license to go further up the field now.
But Meslier had the shot covered.
BATTLE UNTIL THE END
This is turning into one of those games where the first goal could be the winner.
LEEDS 0-0 CHELSEA
69. Luke Ayling is back on the field so it wasn’t as fearful as first thought for Marcelo Bielsa and his side.
LEEDS 0-0 CHELSEA
68. Whilst Ayling is being treated to, Thomas Tuchel has made some changes of his own.
Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech have been replaced by Reece James and Timo Werner.
LEEDS 0-0 CHELSEA
65. This is strange.
Luke Ayling has gone down injured and is receiving medical treatment after a clash with Rudiger.
However at first it seemed as if he was laughing and joking but now it could be serious.
LEEDS 0-0 CHELSEA
64. Another roll of the dice from Marcelo Bielsa as he brings on Helder Costa for Jack Harrison.
Tuchel might be thinking of doing the same as he sends Werner and Giroud to warm up.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
