Chelsea’s behavior of squandering leads didn’t go away with Enzo Maresca. The lapses in focus have piled up and there was one other so as to add to the listing after Stamford Bridge witnessed an inexplicable collapse towards Leeds, who took one other step in the direction of staying up preventing again from 2-0 all the way down to maintain themselves six factors above the underside three.
The turnaround was not on the playing cards when Cole Palmer, who had earlier collected his first help within the Premier League this season, prolonged Chelsea’s benefit by scoring from the spot for the third time in two video games. By the top, although, Liam Rosenior was watching the prospect of an eighth win in 10 video games slip away. The implosion was staggering. Lukas Nmecha and Noah Okafor had capitalised on dreadful defending to make it 2-2 and, whereas Chelsea rallied, their hopes of a late winner ended when Palmer produced a contender for miss of the season.
Palmer was not more than two yards out when he related with a cross from Moisés Caicedo and one way or the other fired over. Chelsea, who’ve dropped 17 factors from successful positions, flailed at each ends. They saved Leeds at arm’s size for 67 minutes, solely to reckon with out the unlikely restorative powers of Jayden Bogle.
The versatile 25-year-old defender sparked the comeback when he thundered into the realm, drew a slipshod problem from Caicedo and stepped apart for Nmecha to halve the deficit. Extra was to come back. Josh Acheampong was flimsy, Bogle pressured the error and Okafor was free to attain for the second time in 5 days.
“Six minutes of switching off,” Rosenior mentioned. “We now have to ensure we’re switched on for 90 minutes. So simple as that. We should always come away with three factors. We haven’t due to two moments.”
Rosenior’s await the right 90 minutes goes on. The frustration is that Chelsea have been spectacular for an hour. Palmer seemed free and João Pedro scored once more. “A few of our soccer was every part I needed to see,” Rosenior mentioned. “That makes it much more of a bitter tablet to swallow.”
A part of the issue is how Chelsea reply to setbacks. The lack of composure and form at 2-1 was not possible to defend. Bogle dealt with through the buildup to the equaliser however he ought to by no means have been allowed to advance to date. Leeds merely needed it extra in that second. Daniel Farke’s facet have been with out key gamers however relished giving Chelsea a bloody nostril for the second time since promotion.
“Nice vibes from everybody within the workforce,” Farke mentioned. “I’m very happy with my gamers. I simply have compliments for them for such a fightback. In case you go 2-0 down, in fact it may be an extended night time, however our gamers have this by no means‑say-die perspective.”
Chelsea wanted endurance towards a deep five-man defence. They seemed for options with rotational motion in possession. Andrey Santos, who has been one of many beneficiaries of Rosenior changing Maresca, dropped into defence to begin strikes, Marc Cucurella pushed into eye‑catching areas from left‑again and there was loads of freedom for Palmer.
Gaps began to seem after a quiet 20 minutes. The opener got here when Santos threaded a cross by the strains. Palmer took it on the half-turn and launched João Pedro, who collected his sixth purpose in eight video games by lifting a intelligent end over Karl Darlow.
Chelsea have been glad to see Palmer and João Pedro on the identical wavelength. They’re a devastating duo when they’re match and on track. Palmer has three assists in all competitions this season and it’s no coincidence that they’ve all been for João Pedro.
It’s not all one-way, although. João Pedro has received three penalties in two video games for Palmer. The Brazilian works so onerous. He raced on to an extended ball within the 58th minute and acquired there earlier than Jaka Bijol, who was penalised for a loopy shove on the Chelsea striker.
Up stepped Palmer to ship Darlow the improper manner from the spot. Leeds had supplied nothing with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Anton Stach lacking up entrance. It’s not often easy with Chelsea, although.
And not using a clear sheet in six video games, they have been rattled when Nmecha pulled a purpose again from the spot. Leeds went direct. Bogle bustled into the realm, held off Acheampong and pushed the ball away from Robert Sánchez. Okafor, on as an alternative, tapped into the empty web.
Chelsea threw on Liam Delap. João Pedro headed simply over the bar. Palmer produced his miss. Chelsea grasped for solutions.
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