Leeds United man's war of words, legend's return, rare praise and off-camera Chelsea moments — YEP 4/12/25
By Graham Smyth
The YEP’s verdict and off-camera moments from the 3-1
victory against Chelsea at Elland Road.
Leeds United produced one of the best Elland Road Premier
League nights in recent memory with their beating of Chelsea.
A star-studded Blues side was thoroughly beaten, losing the
physical battle and failing to prevent Leeds from causing real problems all
evening in a 3-1 win for the hosts. Here's the YEP take.
Good day
Daniel Farke
The manager has been under real pressure and rightly
scrutinised over defensive issues, performances and most importantly results.
But the gameplan for Chelsea matched the execution. It was obvious at Man City
that the players were playing for him but what they gave him at Elland Road was
above and beyond the call of duty. Farke got it spot on and his players
delivered.
Ethan Ampadu
It's been a tough few weeks for the skipper and his
performances haven't been consistently great but against his former club he was
imperious. The level of physicality he brought to the game rattled Chelsea but
on the ball he was a Rolls Royce.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
If Leeds can continue to keep him fit then the striker is
going to be hugely influential when it comes to their survival hopes. This
performance was a masterpiece of centre forward play. He gives Leeds the chance
to play high up the pitch and the Chelsea defenders did not enjoy their evening
up against him and Lukas Nmecha.
The back three
Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk dealt brilliantly
with Chelsea's attempts to attack the area and they did well on the ball too.
The system appeared to suit them as a trio and allowed Struijk in particular to
roam forward and play some nice stuff.
Darren England
Referees rarely come in for praise at Elland Road and often
that's entirely their own fault but the way England handled this game was just
about perfect. It did play into Leeds' hands that he let physical play go but
football is still a contact sport and the hosts played almost entirely within
the laws of the game. When someone did cross the line England handled it
sensibly, keeping a lid on the game with his whistle and cards. It never got
out of hand. It always felt like he was in control.
Bad day
Estevao
One minute you're scoring brilliantly against Barcelona and
the next you're kicking out in frustration from Gabriel Gudmundsson's back
pocket. The talented winger was visibly frustrated by the lack of joy he had
against the Leeds left-back and was hooked at the break so he did not get sent
off.
Enzo Maresca
There were suggestions prior to the game that Chelsea
struggle against a back five and nothing in the game contradicted that. He
watched his players get monstered in the physical battle and they found no real
solution to the way Leeds set up and went about their business.
Off-camera
Lucas Perri offering a warm welcome to a gaggle of Chelsea
players as they came out onto the pitch after arriving at the ground.
Jayden Bogle enjoying a joke with Joel Piroe while they gave
the playing surface a quick inspection.
Lukas Nmecha rugby tackling Ao Tanaka during the possession
game as they warmed up, after the Japan international used a slick turn to take
the ball away.
Nmecha sending his final shot of the warm-up in off the very
inside of the post, seconds before Calvert-Lewin found the net with his.
Calvert-Lewin geeing up Pascal Struijk seconds before
kick-off.
Howard Wilkinson being welcomed back to Elland Road so he
could be inducted into the National Football Hall of Fame.
Bogle screaming at Perri after the keeper kicked the ball
straight out under no real pressure with the score 2-1 midway through the
second half.
Farke shaking his head ruefully and giving his goalkeeper a
look after another kick sailed out of play.
Gudmundsson wagging a finger at Pedro Neto after the Chelsea
man went to ground and then got up and delivered a verbal volley at the
linesman.
