Leeds United held in-form Chelsea to a goalless draw. Thomas Tuchel made changes to his starting XI and also a change in formation, but it didn’t bear any fruit as another blunt showing by the Blues leaves the fight for 4th firmly in the balance. Failure to score means despite the defensive resilience in the team, Chelsea have scored an underwhelming 13 goals in 12 games since Tuchel’s reign began.
The Match
Given how Leeds have been playing all season, you would be forgiven for predicting a goal fest here too, and the match began in that manner. Luke Ayling’s clearance cannoned off Diego Llorente onto his own crossbar, before Tyler Roberts’ wonderful looping effort rattled the bar after a fine fingertip save from Edouard Mendy. Earlier, Roberts had the ball in the net but the goal was ruled out as Patrick Bamford was judged to be offside in the build-up. All that was missing was a goal and it looked inevitable, but instead, the half fizzled out into nothingness. Bamford picked up an injury and Rodrigo replaced him despite his best efforts to carry on.
In the second half, Mendy made a fine stop to deny Raphinha. Rodrigo also had a chance from a free header following a corner but couldn’t capitalize. He would later be substituted less than an hour after replacing Bamford. The visitors were finding it difficult to break down a well organized and tireless Leeds side, with half chances for Kai Havertz, Ben Chilwell and Christian Pulisic (making his first league start under Tuchel) hardly testing Ilan Meslier. Antonio Rudiger had a shot from distance and second half substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi worked space and fired at goal, but both were comfortable saves for Meslier.
This was only Leeds’ third draw of the season as they edge towards mid-table comfort. Their last one came in a 0-0 affair against Arsenal back in November. All three of their draws have come at Elland Road.
For Chelsea, draw definitely looks like two points dropped as they missed the chance to go third (temporarily at least). As it stands, they are three points above West Ham who have two games in hand.
Opta Stats
- Thomas Tuchel is unbeaten in all 12 of his games in charge of Chelsea in all competitions, the joint-longest unbeaten start by a manager in the club’s history (Felipe Scholari also 12).
- Leeds’ total possession figure of 38.1% is their lowest recorded in any of their 120 league games under Marcelo Bielsa.
- Chelsea have drawn three of their 10 Premier League games under Thomas Tuchel 0-0, more than they did in 57 under Frank Lampard (2).
- Only Ederson (15) has kept more Premier League cleansheets among goalkeepers than Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy so far this season (14)
Up Next
Leeds United face another west London side as they visit Fulham on Friday.
Chelsea have a midweek tie at home against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. Blues hold the advantage, but they know they can’t take anything for granted in the Champion’s League.