Chelsea suffered a disappointing 3-1 away defeat to Leeds United at Elland Highway, dropping factors for the second successive recreation. The Blues confirmed a lackluster efficiency in a troublesome setting and have been unable to participate within the recreation.
It was a poor begin for Enzo Maresca’s facet, who discovered themselves 1-0 down throughout the first six minutes after a fast begin by Los Blancos. There was some sluggish defending from a nook kick, and Xhaka Bijol ran in from the sting of the penalty space and fired house on the close to submit.
The house crew doubled their lead on the finish of halftime. The protection from the West Londoners, who gave Aoi Tanaka acres of area outdoors the field, was much more questionable. The highly effective shot fired by a Japanese participant went into the again of the aim.
Chelsea scored with 50 minutes remaining. Pedro Neto swung previous his marker and raced to the again submit to satisfy Jamie Gittens’ cross.
Nevertheless, a defensive error with 18 minutes left allowed Leeds to attain their third aim and seal the victory.
It was a disappointing night time for Chelsea, with some significantly regarding performances throughout the board.
Chelsea’s worst performer vs. Leeds
There have been some notable poor performances from a few of Maresca’s gamers towards Leeds. One among them was from Tosin Adarabioyo. His error resulted in Leeds’ third aim and the West Yorkshire facet nearly secured the three factors.
The previous Fulham participant acquired the ball contained in the penalty space and took a heavy contact earlier than enjoying a five-yard move to Robert Sanchez.
The lack of expertise from Chelsea’s quantity 4 was irritating and left the goalkeeper underneath stress from Leeds’ urgent.
One other participant who struggled within the Chelsea facet was centre-forward Liam Delap. It was an evening when the Blues’ quantity 9 regarded remoted. Other than a snap shot that went over the crossbar within the second half, he did little to hassle the Leeds protection.
One of many individuals criticizing Delap’s efficiency at Elland Highway was Aim journalist Tom Ritchie. He gave the English striker a score of 4/10 for his efforts and described him as a “bystander” within the first half.
But it surely wasn’t simply Chelsea’s two star gamers who struggled on Wednesday night time.
Maresca might boldly depart the £180,000-a-week Chelsea star on the bench
It was an evening to recollect for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandes. The Argentine, who captained the Blues at Elland Highway, struggled to realize management in midfield.
Maybe it coincided with the truth that his typical companion within the middle of the park, Moises Caicedo, was suspended.
Tanaka’s aim might nearly be attributed to Chelsea’s quantity eight. He misplaced the ball in midfield, confronted an personal aim, the ball was spilled and Leeds took benefit of the scenario.
This weighed in on the three/10 score it acquired from Ritchie, who mentioned it “regarded rickety at instances”. In reality, Fernandes’ stats on this recreation present what a troublesome night time it was.
Often superb on the ball, the £180,000-a-week asset solely had 77 per cent passing accuracy contained in the Whites’ half, shedding the ball 21 instances. He additionally missed dribbles and tackles.
Fernandes vs Leeds stats | |
|---|---|
standing | quantity |
contact | 106 |
Accuracy of opponent’s half move | 77% |
Variety of ball misplaced | twenty one |
failed contact | 5 |
Received a floor duel | 1/4 |
deal with | 0 |
dribble | 0 |
Couch rating statistics | |
After such performances, it will likely be attention-grabbing to see whether or not Maresca retains Fernandes within the beginning XI for the subsequent recreation towards Bournemouth this Saturday. He actually struggled with out Caicedo subsequent to him and with out Reece James, who switched from right-back.
There are additionally choices at his disposal. Cole Palmer returned from damage and performed half-hour at Elland Highway on Wednesday. It stays to be seen whether or not he’ll have the ability to play from the beginning, however there’s a chance that he’ll be part of the facet.
Or they might transfer James again into the beginning lineup and play him in midfield, as he has achieved with appreciable success this season.
Fernandes’ efficiency at Elland Highway was disappointing and it could be no shock to see him dropped from the squad, particularly given the choices Maresca has at his disposal.
As dangerous as Tosin: Maresca’s 4/10 flop ought to by no means begin once more for Chelsea
Chelsea’s title hopes appeared to vanish after the sport towards Leeds United.
