Key Takeaways:
- Leeds secured a 3:1 victory over Chelsea in the 14th midweek round of the Premier League
- The win ended Leeds’ run of four straight defeats as Chelsea suffered first loss in eight outings
- Leeds climbed to 17th with 14 points, while Chelsea remained fourth on 24, trailing Arsenal by nine
Early Dominance and Set-Piece Threat
Leeds, emboldened by their home support, stunned Chelsea with a fast and aggressive start. The hosts set the tone in the 6th minute when Anton Stach delivered a corner into the box, met superbly by Jaka Bijol whose commanding header beat Robert Sánchez to make it 1:0.
Bijol almost doubled his tally ten minutes later, again threatening with his head, but the attempt narrowly missed the target. Leeds kept up their pressure, and on the cusp of half-time, Ao Tanaka powered forward and unleashed a fierce strike from the edge of the penalty area, doubling the advantage at 2:0.
🤩 WHAT A PERFORMANCE!! pic.twitter.com/qpxhZrTsRD
— Leeds United (@LUFC) December 3, 2025
Chelsea’s Response and Key Moments
Chelsea made a tactical shift at the interval, introducing Pedro Neto. Their adjustment paid dividends just five minutes after the restart, as Neto capitalised on a precise João Pedro delivery at the back post to pull one back, making it 2:1.
Leeds appeared to restore their two-goal cushion almost immediately, but Lukas Nmecha’s 54th-minute effort was ruled out for offside. Chelsea then pressed for an equaliser, with Cole Palmer coming agonisingly close only for Lucas Perri to make a decisive save.
Turning Point and Final Scoreline
A defensive confusion in the 72nd minute cost Chelsea dearly. Tosin Adarabioyo’s mistake left Dominic Calvert-Lewin with a simple finish into an open goal, re-establishing Leeds’ two-goal lead at 3:1.
Standings and Fixtures
Following this result, Leeds have climbed to 17th place with 14 points, while Chelsea remain fourth in the table with 24 points, trailing leaders Arsenal by nine.
| Team | Position | Points | Next Fixture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leeds | 17 | 14 | vs Liverpool |
| Chelsea | 4 | 24 | @ Bournemouth |
Looking Ahead
Leeds, buoyed by this significant victory, will welcome Liverpool over the weekend. Meanwhile, Chelsea must regroup quickly as they face a trip to Bournemouth in their next league assignment.
