Leeds United 0-0 Chelsea: Thomas Tuchel’s side extend unbeaten run with Elland Road draw
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ByEurosport
Updated 13/03/2021 at 18:31 GMT
Premier League, Elland Road - Leeds United 0 Chelsea 0
'We have to live with the draw' - Tuchel believes his side could have won
Chelsea’s unbeaten run continued with a goalless draw with Leeds United at Elland Road in the Premier League’s early kick-off.
One of English football’s great rivalries was reignited in West Yorkshire for the first time in 18 years and it didn’t disappoint. Within a quarter of an hour both sides had already hit the crossbar and Leeds even had the ball in the back of the net.
Tyler Roberts finished off a blistering counterattack, but his goal was chalked off as Patrick Bamford strayed just offside before playing a perfectly-weighted pass to the Welshman.
As the first half progressed, the game settled down into a collection of half chances with Chelsea dominating possession.
The second half started brightly with Kai Havertz missing a decent one-on-one opportunity, but he made the wrong choice and instead of placement, he blazed his shot at Illan Meslier who tipped it easily over the bar. It was a massive let off for Kalvin Phillips who allowed the forward stroll into the box.
With the game there for the taking, neither side managed to find that moment of magic to grab all three points as it fizzled out.
Next up for Leeds is a trip to West London to face a resurgent Fulham at Craven Cottage. While Chelsea have back-to-back home fixtures with Atlético Madrid in the Champions League and Sheffield United in the Premier League.
TALKING POINT - UNBEATEN CHELSEA MARCH ON
It was the kind of game that under Frank Lampard's stewardship, Chelsea fans would have been chewing at their fingernails, wondering what the score line would be. But with Thomas Tuchel at the helm, The Blues look a more consistent team with the soft underbelly associated with the West London club truly gone.
PLAYER RATINGS
Leeds United: Meslier 6, Ayling 6, Llorente 6, Struijk 6, Alioski 6, Phillips 6, Roberts 6, Dallas 6, Raphinha 7, Harrison 6, Bamford 6, Costa 5, Rodrigo N/A, Klich N/A
Chelsea: Mendy 6, Azpilicueta 6, Christensen 6, Rüdiger 8, Ziyech 5, Kanté 6, Chilwell 6, Mount 7, Jorginho 6, Havertz 5, Pulisic 7, Werner 5, James 5, Hudson-Odoi N/A
MAN OF THE MATCH - ANTONIO RÜDIGER (CHELSEA)
The German was solid at the back and typified the kind of performances that Chelsea had been calling out for. Given that in the summer it seemed as if his days were numbered at the club, he now looks a completely different player. He could have even grabbed a goal if he had brought his shooting boots with him.
KEY MOMENTS:
7’ - CHANCE FOR CHELSEA! Havertz almost taps the ball in from a couple of yards out, but doesn't get a decent connection on the ball. Brilliant work from Pulisic to get the low cross in
7’ - OFFSIDE FOR LEEDS! Seconds later the ball is in the back of the Chelsea net, but Bamford was just offside when he played the ball to Roberts. That's an early warning for The Blues
10’ - OFF THE BAR FOR CHELSEA! The ball deflects off Llorente inside the box and on to the Leeds bar, luckily it falls into the hands of Meslier
16’ - OFF THE BAR FOR LEEDS! Roberts attempts to dink the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box, but Mendy just gets a finger tip to it. It's been a frantic 16 minutes!
48’ - CHANCE FOR CHELSEA! Havertz should have done better there as he smashes the ball at Meslier in a one-on-one situation, but the keeper stays strong and tips the ball over the bar. A big let off for Phillips who allowed the German to stroll into the box and get his shot off
53’ - CHANCE FOR LEEDS! A great save from Mendy who just gets a hand to Raphinha's shot as he was going to ground. That could easily have gone in if it wasn’t for the keeper
KEY STATS
- Chelsea have had more goalless draws in 10 Premier League games under Thomas Tuchel (3) than they did in 57 under Frank Lampard (2).
- 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 along with Felipe Scolari
- Leeds attempted just one shot in the first half against Chelsea, their joint-lowest tally in the opening 45 minutes of a league match under Marcelo Bielsa
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