Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea edged out the visitors Leeds United in an evenly-contested affair with the Blues prevailing thanks to a late winner from midfield man Jorginho.
MATCH PROCEEDINGS
The teams were on the attacking front foot from the outset in the Stamford Bridge showdown that was a must-win game for either outfit.
Leeds had an effort through wide man Raphinha which had Chelsea No.1 Edouard Mendy come into the action with a flying save to deny the Brazilian.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men did find their breakthrough soon with Raphinha the man to net the opener from the spot after Marcos Alonso felled Dan James in the box.
The hosts went on the hunt for the leveller and had Alonso to thank for his delivery into the box which found Mason Mount and the playmaker was clinical in his effort to make it 1-1.
With the second period getting underway, Chelsea took a hold over the game with a spot-kick coming their way following Antonio Rudiger being brought down in the box by Raphinha.
Jorginho was composed as ever to put his side in the lead as Leeds searched for a way back into the game with Mateusz Klich coming off the bench to force Mendy into a good save.
Another subtitute Joe Gelhardt made an instant impact after going past the Chelsea backline to level the contest with seven minutes left to play for.
However, in the final moments of stoppage time the home side were rewarded another spot-kick with Rudiger fouled by Klich and Jorginho made it a brace from the spot and hand his side the three points.