Leeds dented Chelsea’s title hopes by securing a huge 3-1 victory at Elland Road to ease the pressure on Daniel Farke and leave the visitors nine points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.
In a game that could have been crucial to Farke’s future, his decision to stick with the 3-5-2 formation that inspired a second-half fightback in the defeat at Manchester City proved decisive as they brushed aside Chelsea to go three points clear of the drop.
Impressive performances against Arsenal and Barcelona had elevated Chelsea into the title conversation, but the trip to West Yorkshire provided Enzo Maresca with a reality check against a team who had lost their last four games.
Leeds deservedly led by two goals at the break after a bullet header at the near post from Jaka Bijol and a superb long-range strike from Ao Tanaka at either end of a half that Farke’s side had dominated with Chelsea confounded by their new form.
Maresca’s double change at half-time had an instant impact as Pedro Neto pulled one back off the bench shortly after the restart, taking advantage of a lapse in concentration from Leeds defender Gabriel Gudmundsson to slot in at the far post.
Leeds United’s Ao Tanaka celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal
However, Leeds refused to back down and restored their two-goal advantage as Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored for the second game in a row after substitute Noah Okafor capitalized on a loose pass from Chelsea defender Tosin in his own area.
Farke, it seems, has found the perfect formula for his Leeds side with the just-in-time formation change, giving hope that all is not lost this season in their fight for Premier League survival.
Watch all four goals in an exciting match
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Jaka Bijol scores his first goal for Leeds United against Chelsea in the Premier League
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Ao Tanaka’s strike gives Leeds a 2-0 lead before the break in their Premier League match against Chelsea
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Pedro Neto scores as Chelsea trail Leeds 2-1 in Premier League
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Tosin Adarabioyo error sees Leeds lead 3-1 against Chelsea with Dominic Calvert-Lewin goal
Neville: Chelsea ‘not good enough’ to win title
Aerial sportsGary Neville believes Chelsea’s current squad are ‘not good enough’ to win the Premier League.
“I don’t think they can win the title. In fact, I don’t think they have a chance. Chelsea have gaping holes when you see teams winning the title.
“The Chelsea team is well built, they have an incredible amount of talent, but the centre-backs tonight were poor in every way.
“The goalkeeper is not good enough to win the title, and then at centre-forward they are good players, but they don’t have the levels required to win a title at Chelsea.
“They will finish in the top four, but the inconsistencies are still there. I’ve seen Chelsea be exceptional in games, but I’ve also seen them play like that. [at Leeds].
“I don’t think they were prepared for Elland Road. I don’t think they respected the game and what might happen there. They were outmatched physically, outmatched in muscle and outplay, and they deserved to lose.”
History of the match in stats…
What is happening in the Premier League?
