Chelsea took three crucial points in their 3-1 victory over Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United in their home game at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea was trailing by an early goal from Patrick Bamford after which they made a comeback and secured a win courtesy to the goals scored by Olivier Giroud, Kurt Zouma and Christian Pulisic.
It was Bamford’s eighth goal of the league in just 11 games and his performance had Lamaprd’s boys sweating in front of 2000 people that returned to the Stamford Bridge after a long time. He was a threat throughout the match and also fired a shot over the bar as he got one golden opportunity. He led the Leeds who continued to threaten the defence of Lampard.
Giroud got the first start to the campaign after his ruthless performance in the Champions League match against Sevilla. He scored four goals there and he was again present to score the equalizer for the Blues. This means it is his fifth goal in the week and he is starting to push Tammy Abraham away from the first team with his back to back convincing performances.
The French veteran striker could have got another goal, had it not been Werner present to contrive the header out of the target from a very short distance.
It was Zouma who gave Chelsea the desired lead with his header from Mason Mount’s corner. Pulisic’s late goal from Timo Werner’s low cross sealed their victory and prevented any comeback from the visitor’s side.
It was a cagey affair as the Blues although looked dominant, there were instances where Leeds United threatened their defense. Giroud won possession back high upfield only to drag his shot wide as Chelsea battled for a foothold.
The breakthrough came when Ziyech produced a ball that made Reece James racing down the right flank, and the England star’s low cross found Giroud. The French international converted the delivery to drag the Blues level, just ahead of the half-hour.
Leeds had tried to pass the France World Cup-winner out of the match and succeeded for the first quarter – only for Kante to adjust his positioning and start mopping up in typical fashion.
The teams duly reached the break with the 1-1 scoreline intact, before the Blues opened the second half aggressively. Kai Havertz nodded well wide from James’ teasing free-kick before Meslier denied Werner twice in the same attack and Mount’s effort was deflected behind for a corner.
Any building Chelsea frustration was eased immediately, however, as Mount laid his set-piece on a plate for Zouma to power home a header. Chelsea had a more compact midfield when Mateo Kovacic came in place of Kai Havertz. Werner’s assist to Pulisic was the last nail in Leeds’ coffin.
This was the first time Lampard and Bielsa faced each other since the famous ‘Spygate’ drama that happened back in the 2018 season before the face-off of Leeds and Derby county.
The win sent the Blues straight to the summit of the Premier League table- continuing their unbeaten run of games in all the competitions. The Blues continued their run to nine unbeaten matches as they last tasted defeat against Liverpool back in September.
Although the Chelsea coach got the last laugh in the game, there were incidents that will surely worry Lampard. Germany striker Werner latched onto the goal-bound header intent on claiming the finish for himself only to commit a horrendous miss. It has been quite some matches where Werner missed easy goal chances.
Another worrying incident came when Ziyech got a hamstring setback. Ziyech has been very influencing in the latest matches for Chelsea and his absence will be worrying for Lampard.
