Leeds secure shock win as they make light work of lacklustre Chelsea - 5 talking points - Mirror 21/8/22

Leeds United recorded three points with three goals as they shocked Chelsea, who suffered their first defeat of the season at Elland Road, with Jack Harrison staring

Leeds United shocked Chelsea and recorded their first win over the west Londoners in over two decades as they made light work of the Premier League heavyweights.

The Whites produced a performance that was high in energy and spirit as a brilliant opening 45 set them on their way thanks to goals from Brenden Aaronson, who seized on Edouard Mendy's error, and the in-form Rodrigo. Chelsea attempted to mount a second-half comeback, but struggled to create as Jack Harrison, who was a standout, made the game safe when he scored his team's third with 20 minutes remaining.

Jesse Marsch's side maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign and now sit on seven points whilst Thomas Tuchel's issues were exposed, especially in the final third, where the visitor's played without a striker. Chelsea's poor afternoon was compounded when Kalidou Koulibaly was sent-off in the latter stages for a second bookable offence.

The Whites lost all twelve games against the top six last term, but quickly ensured there would be no repeat this season. These are the talking points from Elland Road

1 Chelsea's expectations

They got the job done against Everton a fortnight ago, last week they were brilliant against Tottenham and today they were lacklustre. That said, is that what you have to expect from a team who have seen major figures leave the club and are in the midst of a fresh recruitment drive?

Key cogs in defence left whilst the club are still deciding what path to take in the final third. Tuchel is a classy operator, but the doubts about Chelsea coming into the season came from somewhere. This team, as they deal with the new arrivals and distance themselves from the changes off the pitch, are going to be prone to performances like the one they produced at Elland Road, whether they like it or not.

2 Fresh ideas, same Leeds

The Messianic figure of Marcelo Bielsa is gone and an American has replaced him in the dugout, but when you watch the team, whilst different ideas are employed, this Leeds side are not worlds apart from the one that first took the Premier League by surprise. Marsch's outfit played with bundles of energy - which was crucial in them establishing their first-half lead - as they ran 6km more than their opponents in the opening 45 alone.

There is less of an onus on keeping the ball and the players are more willing to go direct, whilst they appear more solid in defence than they have been in recent years. But out of possession the desire from players to win the ball back and hunt in numbers bears huge resemblance to the Bielsa era.

3 Gallagher in - for now

Chelsea's academy graduate really proved he was Premier League quality last term at Crystal Palace and Tuchel didn't entertain any talk of him heading back out on loan. Three games into the season and Gallagher was thrown into the midfield alongside Jorginho.

He played in a team that were outrun in Yorkshire, which perhaps won't further his case for more involvement. Not only that, his inclusion was in part down to the absence of N'Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic - two regulars in midfield. Gallagher will need to usurp them if he wants to be a regular and may have to bide his time to achieve that.

4 Oh Mendy

The first goal in any game is crucial - so don't give it away cheaply. Mendy clearly didn't get that memo whilst he also forget that when in doubt a goalkeeper should put it out. Instead he attempted to deceive the onrushing Aaronson but failed miserably and allowed the American to slot into an empty net.

Mendy was clearly fuming when he was robbed of the ball. Whether that was directed at the lack of options or simply an acceptance that he'd made a major error - both could be feasible. The Senegal goalkeeper is not immune to a blunder with his feet costing his team in the Champions League against Madrid back in April.

5 No striker situ

It is a topic that will be discussed until the end of the transfer window - and potentially beyond if the Blues don't get anyone in and their problems continue. Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have proved how effective a false 9 system can be, but even they've been hampered by it at times.

Raheem Sterling has played centrally for the Blues since joining them in the summer, but the winger is most dangerous when cutting in from the left. Tuchel is certainly not getting the most from the England man and the lack of a recognised striker is hurting the west Londoners, especially as they possess so much creativity.