Review : Chelsea’s Bizarre performance at Elland Road

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Hello everyone ,

Today I’ll be giving a review on the game between Chelsea and Leeds United on Game week 3 of the 2022/22 premier league season.

After an Astonishing performance against Spurs Last weekend Chelsea were top favorites coming into this game. Chelsea came out today with a 3-4-2-1 a slight change to their last Fixture. with Ngolo Kante out due to a hamstring injury Conor Gallagher was the man who replaced him in the starting lineup.

CHELSEA LINEUP: Mendy; Reece James; Thiago Silva; Kalidou Koulibaly;Ruben Loftus-Cheek; Jorginho; Conor Gallagher; Marc Cucurella; Mason Mount; Raheem Sterling; Kai Havertz.

CHELSEA SUBS: Kepa Arrizabalaga;Cesar Azplicueta;Cristian Pulisic; Trevoh Chalobah; Ben Chilwell; Callum Hudson Odoi; Ethan Ampadu; Hakim Ziyech;Carney Chukwuemeka.

On the other hand you couldn’t write Leeds United off as they were also unbeaten to the start of this season. Having beaten Wolverhampton Wonderers by 2 goals to 1 and drawing against Southampton though they were 2 goals ahead going into the last 20 minutes. Leeds Manager Jesse Marsch was forced to make one change from their previous game as Daniel James replaced injured Patrick Bamford.

LEEDS UNITED LINEUP: Illan Meslier;Rasmus Kristensen; Robin Koch ; Diego LIorente;Struijk; Marc Roca;Tyler Adams ; Brenden Aaronson; Rodrigo; Jack Harrison; Daniel James.

LEEDS UNITED SUBS: Adam Forshaw; Crysencio;Summerville; Kristoffer Klaesson;Luis Sinisterra; Joe Gelhardt; Leo Hjelde ; Cody Drameh; Sam Greenwood; Mateusz Klich.

Chelsea failed to find an opener in the first minute after Sterling received a pass from Gallagher with too much space in the box cuts inside and couldn’t find the back of the net with curled ball to the right corner.

The game was moving at a fast pace with a lot of chances at the first 30 minutes including Sterling’s finish which was ruled out for offside. Aaronson got the first goal of the match also his first goal for Leeds United on the 33rd minute after Edouard Mendy making a silly howler after trying to beat Aaronson who nicks it off his foot and taps in from close range.

Leeds United had their momentum boosted after the first goal, they pushed on till they found the second goal on the 37th minute, Rodrigo scoring a brilliant header from a set piece into the penalty area from Harrison. The Blues were pushing to get one back in the first half but failed. It ended two goals to nil in the first half.

Thomas Tuchel had a change in formation ,as he changed to a back four with Reece James and Marc Cucurella tucked in as full backs and Loftus-Cheek assuming a central midfield role. Chelsea were looking eager earlier in the second half but couldn’t convert their chances.

The first substitution came from Leeds on the 61st minute as Adam Forshaw replaced Marc Roca. And two Chelsea substitutions followed as Conor Gallagher who wasn’t have a good game was replaced by Cristian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech coming in for Jorginho .

Chelsea had much of the ball but couldn’t test Meslier in goal that much. Leeds were able to soak up the pressure.
Harrison got the third for leads after Rodrigo fails to control a cross from Daniel James and the ball falls perfectly for Harrison who puts it in the back of the net.There was no coming back from this fort he visitors.

Luis Sinisterra came in for Daniel James. Chelsea were frustrated and Leeds United were even more lively though they were leading by 3 goals. Thomas Tuchel Replaced Chilwell with Mount in the 77th minute and Jesse Marsch replied with 3 substitutions on the 83rd minute Greenwood for Harrison, Klich for Aaronson and Gelhardt for Rodrigo.

Joe Gelhardt made an immediate impact after he runs past Koulibaly to receive a pass who deliberately pulls him down and receives a second yellow on the 84th minute. Chelsea were down to 10 men. Thomas Tuchel made a final change bringing in Azplicueta for Mount in other not to concede more after the sending off .

The game ended with a 3 nil victory for the hosts who were absolutely superb throughout the game and maintained their unbeaten start to this campaign. Meanwhile the visitors conceded their fist defeat and moved to 12th on the EPL table and will be taking on Leicester next week.

That’s all for you .

Hope you enjoyed the review.