It took a little bit for the game to get into gear, but after a tiny bit of threat from the visitors early on, Chelsea established control and set about breaking down Leeds’ back-five.
While we weren’t able to do so too often, we did create a few excellent opportunities and put together some very nice passing sequences. And it was with one of those that we would unlock the defense, Santos finding Palmer, and Palmer sending JP through. The in-form man made no mistake.
The goal didn’t change the flow
of the game at all, but we would head into half-time with just that narrow lead. JP had another chance that he dragged wide while a couple half chances for Palmer and Enzo posed no trouble for the goalkeeper.
The second half began in much the same way as the first ended, with Chelsea continuing to maintain control (75-25 edge in possession) and ask all the questions, even if those questions weren’t too inquisitive. Estêvão had a pop that didn’t miss by much but it took yet another penalty won by João Pedro to get us that all-important second goal. It was a carbon copy of JP’s second won-penalty over the weekend, accepting a silly two-handed push from behind by the center back. Palmer did his thing and made it 2-0 just before the hour-mark.
Leeds had to come out of their shell at that point but still weren’t really doing much … until Moisés Caicedo gave away a penalty with a rather unnecessary tackle inside the box. Nmecha hammered home to give the visitors a truly undeserved lifeline, and with 20 minutes still to go. It was their first shot on target, second altogether.
In classic fashion, just a few minutes later, things then went from bad to worse, with Chelsea contriving to give away a second goal in an absolute disasterclass from all involved. The goal could’ve easily been ruled out for the handball by Bogle in the build-up, but that shouldn’t take away from the truly ridiculous defending in that moment.
Chelsea looked for a late winner, and found it in the 94th minute … but Palmer somehow put his tap-in over the bar from two yards out. No one could quite believe it, let alone Palmer himself. Unbelievable, literally, doesn’t begin to describe it.
Carefree.
- Two changes from the weekend, with Acheampong and Estêvão in for Fofana and Neto
- Hato on at the half for Cucurella; hopefully Cucu’s alright
- No clean sheet yet again
- Chelsea move up to fourth, for now, but will only stay there if Manchester United lose to West Ham
- Next up: Hull City away in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday night
- KTBFFH
