Chelsea draw with Leeds after losing two-goal lead
Chelsea 2Joao Pedro (24′)
Palmer (pen, 58′)
Leeds 2Nmecha (pen, 67′)
Okafor (73′)
Chelsea lost a two-goal lead at Stamford Bridge, where an astonishing miss by Cole Palmer in stoppage time enabled Leeds to take a point after a second-half fightback.
A first-half goal from Joao Pedro and a 57th-minute penalty from Palmer put the Blues in control.
But Leeds responded with a penalty by Lukas Nmecha and a goal by Noah Okafo to deny Liam Rosenior a fifth straight Premier League win as Chelsea head coach.
The deadlock was broken via the Blues’ first genuine incision.
Joao Pedro was the executor, finishing off a neat team build-up. The Brazilian fastened on to a defence-splitting through pass from Palmer before drawing Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow and clipping the ball into the net.
Chelsea were again aggressive after the restart – and they doubled their lead from the penalty spot.
In the race to clear a long ball, defender Jako Bijol needlessly pushed Joao Pedro, and Palmer stroked the ball home from the spot with ease for his ninth goal of the season.
But there was a surprise 10 minutes later as Daniel Farke’s side – who had rarely threatened – were offered a lifeline from a penalty.
Moises Caicedo impeded Jayden Bogle, who had raced into the Chelsea area. Nmecha made no mistake from the spot-kick.
More drama ensued in the 73rd minute when Leeds equalised thanks to complacent Chelsea defending.
Josh Acheampong failed to clear a speculative loose ball into the area, and Leeds substitute Okafor took advantage of the resulting melee to tuck the ball into an empty net.
As Chelsea piled on late pressure, Palmer missed a glorious opportunity to net a winner in added time when he fired the ball over the crossbar from a couple of yards out.
Chelsea: Sanchez, Cucurella (Hato 46), Fernandez, Palmer, Santos (Delap 77), Pedro, Chalobah, Caicedo, Gusto, Acheampong (Fofana77), Estevao (Neto 63)
