Report: Chelsea 2-2 Leeds United | OneFootball

Premier League

Chelsea 2 (Pedro 24’, Palmer pen 58’)

Leeds United 2 (Nmecha pen 67’, Okafor 72’)

Chelsea: Sánchez (GK), Cucurella (Hato 46’), Fernández (C), Palmer, Santos (Delap 79’), Pedro, Chalobah, Caicedo, Gusto, Acheampong (Fofana 79’), Estêvão (Neto 64’). Subs not used: Sharman-Lowe (GK), Badiashile, Sarr, Guiu, Garnacho.

Leeds: Darlow (GK), Bogle, Gudmundsson, Ampadu (C), Rodon, Aaronson (Longstaff 90’), Nmecha (James 82’), Bijol, Bornauw (Okafor 55’), Justin, Gruev. Subs not used: Perri (GK), Piroe, Tanaka, Byram, Gnonto, Buonanotte.

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Attendance: 39,253

Referee: Robert Jones

Booked: Gusto, Acheampong, Palmer (Chelsea) Gudmundsson, Bornauw, Justin, Longstaff (Leeds)

Leeds United produced a superb coming to fight from two goals behind and earn a valuable point in the Premier League against rivals Chelsea.

Trailing at Stamford Bridge, a Lukas Nmecha penalty gave the Whites a lifeline before Noah Okafor pounced after a scramble in the area to level proceedings!

Ahead of kick off in the capital, Daniel Farke had made three changes to the side that beat Nottingham Forest last time out, recalling Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Nmecha into the starting XI.

Following an even opening to the encounter, the Whites had the first attempt on goal when James Justin rose highest to meet an Ilia Gruev set piece, forcing Robert Sánchez into an early save.

Brilliant defending from the Bulgarian midfielder then prevented Chelsea’s Cole Palmer from troubling Karl Darlow, retreating brilliantly to block the England international’s effort from a Marc Cucurella cross.

It was Bornauw’s turn next to intervene, putting João Pedro under enough pressure so the forward was unable to get a shot away inside the area.

The hosts did take the lead, however, moments later through the Brazilian who raced through onto a Palmer pass and finished beyond the outstretched Darlow.

Keen to respond, appeals for a penalty were waved away as Gabriel Gudmundsson was sent tumbling to the floor under a challenge from Malo Gusto, but there was nothing doing for referee Robert Jones.

In the final meaningful action of the opening period, Palmer would have been baring down on goal if not for a crucial last-ditch challenge from Justin as the Whites cleared their lines.

HALF TIME: Chelsea 1-0 Leeds United

The Whites emerged from the break unchanged, attacking a packed out away end as they searched for the leveller at Stamford Bridge.

After a left-footed strike from Estêvão dragged just wide of the upright, a first alteration from the dugout introduced forward Okafor into the action, replacing Bornauw in an attacking change.

Chelsea doubled their advantage from the spot just before the hour mark. Palmer converted from 12 yards after Pedro had been brought to ground inside the area.

United were having to defend as Chelsea searched for a third to put the tie to bed and Enzo Fernández lashed a wayward effort over the upright from a narrow angle after an initial scramble in the middle.

After sustaining the pressure from the hosts, Leeds halved the deficit through a penalty of their own after Jayden Bogle was fouled by Moisés Caicedo, latching onto a loose ball deep in the Blues’ half.

Up stepped Nmecha who kept his nerve, sending Sánchez the wrong way and firing a sixth Premier League goal of the campaign into the back of the net!

And almost as soon as the Whites were back in the clash, they were level! Bogle was again involved, wrestling back possession and marauding into the area.

After numerous challenges, several ricochets and an almighty scramble, the ball fell to Okafor who had the simplest of tasks as he bundled into an empty goal, cueing pandemonium in the away end!

Farke’s side had to be alert to prevent the hosts from retaking the lead as Justin made another fine challenge inside the area to dispossess Jorrel Hato, before a second change saw scorer Nmecha make way for Daniel James.

Chelsea threw everything forward in search of a last-gasp winner, including missing two glorious chances through Pedro and Palmer, but the Whites’ defence held firm to secure an important and well-deserved point on the road!

Attentions now turn to Emirates FA Cup action for the trip to Sky Bet Championship outfit Birmingham City on Sunday afternoon.

FULL TIME: Chelsea 2-2 Leeds United