Chelsea and Leeds square off in the Premier League this Saturday, rekindling an age-old rivalry that began years ago. This is not a conventional rivalry by any means – neither are the two teams geographically close, nor have they shared any significant title races. But sometimes, one or two fierce matches are sufficient to spark hatred. So when exactly did this rivalry originate from?
1960s – The beginning
Many consider that iconic 1970 FA Cup final between the two teams as the starting point of this rivalry. However, it all began in the 1960s. Under the management of Tommy Docherty and Don Revie, the two teams stood out with contrasting images and philosophies, aided by the North-South divide. Leeds were known as the “dirty” club, while Chelsea were the fashionable aristocratic capital club.
Matches between them were brutal encounters with reckless tackles flying in. In 1966, Chelsea edged an FA Cup tie 1-0 thanks to Bobby Tambling’s goal. A year later, they again met in the FA Cup, this time the semi-final. Chelsea again won 1-0 in another ruthless match. Leeds goalkeeper Gary Sprake kicked Chelsea midfielder John Boyle in the face as they challenged for a high ball. All this was building up nicely to the 1969/70 season, that cemented this rivalry.
1970 FA Cup – A match that cemented the rivalry
They met six times in seven months in that season, culminating in a replayed FA Cup final. Leeds enjoyed the league meetings, while Chelsea exacted revenge in the cup clashes, including the FA Cup final. On 11th April 1970, they played out a thrilling 2-2 match, forcing a replay. In the replay, Chelsea won 2-1 after extra-time, but the match, which was watched by 28 million, is not remembered for the scoreline. The sheer brutality of the match is what’s remembered. Tackles were made with the intent of hurting the player, and out of the blue punches, kicks, headbutts were a common theme. This was the ultimate grudge match and is considered one of the wildest football games.
Michael Oliver recently watched the two finals and claimed he would have sent 11 players off! But the match referee Eric Jennings only dished out one yellow card in two games.
1980s – 2004 – Premier League era and Leeds suffer relegation
After that epic final, the two teams steadily declined and suffered relegations. In 1984, when Chelsea beat Leeds 5-0 to clinch promotion, Chelsea fans invaded the stadium and Leeds fans smashed the Stamford Bridge scoreboard. In 1992, the Premier League began and by the end of the century, both Leeds and Chelsea became contenders for European places.
During a clash in christmas 1997, two Leeds players were sent off for reckless tackles, rekindling the merciless nature of this fixture. The Whites held on for a goalless draw. A season later, Chelsea beat Leeds 1-0 at Stamford Bridge to ensure they’ll occupy the final Champions League spot ahead of Leeds. Later that year, Leeds won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge to go top, a match in which Frank Lebouf was sent off.
In November 2001, the two sides met in the fourth round of the League Cup, their first cup match since the 1970 final. Chelsea won 2-0, but the match rendered several players injured and Graeme Le Saux was stretchered off after taking one in the face from Alan Smith. Unfortunately, Leeds’ relegation from Premier League in 2004 gave this rivalry an untimely end, until last season when they finally gained promotion.
Current state of affairs
Since Leeds’ relegation in 2004, the two teams didn’t share the field apart from an FA Cup tie in 2012. That has many believe that the rivalry has cooled off somewhat. The newer generation of fans aren’t fully aware of the events of the 20th century. Last season didn’t do any favours to reignite this rivalry either due to the empty stadiums.
But with a full house Stamford Bridge to welcome them on Saturday, we can expect temperatures to rise once again. Both teams may not be in the best of forms right now, and winning a spicy game as this could be the what the doctor ordered.