Chelsea vs Leeds United. Premier League.
Stamford BridgeAttendance39,959.
Report and match highlights from a thrilling Premier League clash where Jorginho scored an injury-time penalty - his second of the game - to nick Chelsea the points; Chelsea move to within two points of Manchester City
Sunday 12 December 2021 07:36, UK
Jorginho scored two penalties – the second in injury-time – to rescue Chelsea an important and dramatic 3-2 win over a spirited Leeds.
The victory leaves Chelsea in third but just two points behind Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
After conceding six goals in their last two games, Chelsea's defence were breached again when Raphinha netted from the penalty spot on 28 minutes following a challenge on Dan James by Marcos Alonso.
Thomas Tuchel's side looked nervous as they staged a response, but Mason Mount scored what looked a crucial equaliser just before the break when turning home Alonso's cross.
They were ahead on 58 minutes when Jorginho converted from the penalty after a VAR review had deemed Raphinha's challenge on Antonio Rudiger a foul that was originally missed by referee Chris Kavanagh.
But the Blues crumbled at the back, allowing Joe Gelhardt, just 81 seconds after coming off the bench, to draw Leeds level.
But there was still time for one more penalty when Rudiger was tripped again in injury-time, this time from behind by Mateusz Klich and, Jorginho kept his cool for the win.
Having won just two of their last five games in all competitions, there were a few questions for Thomas Tuchel's side to answer in terms of their ability to keep pace with City and Liverpool, who both recorded 1-0 wins on Saturday.
Tuchel had called for a response but despite an energetic first 10 minutes, Leeds more than matched Chelsea across the pitch. They took the lead on 28 minutes.
Alonso upended James - a challenge that was needless - to hand Leeds the ideal chance to open the scoring from the spot, and Raphinha made no mistake with his calm effort.
Chelsea huffed and puffed but quality was in short supply with Timo Werner struggling for form yet again and Kai Havertz well marshalled by the Leeds defence. Chelsea did manage to equalise from a moment of pure opportunism.
Alonso robbed a flat-footed Stuart Dallas who failed to control Illan Meslier's pass, before sending a low ball to the near post. Mount peeled off the defensive cover and swept into the net to level the clash, with the Blues mightily relieved to be on terms at the interval.
Chelsea returned from the break with a renewed energy and eventually they stole into the lead from a penalty of their own. Raphinha scythed through Rudiger in the box and the spot-kick was duly awarded after a VAR review.
Jorginho stepped up and tapped home, keeping his head to hand Chelsea control.
The hosts failed to build on that advantage however, once again easing off the throttle when finally in charge. Leeds sensed that nervousness in the Chelsea ranks and replacement striker Gelhardt steamed in and buried a cross from Tyler Roberts, netting his first goal in the Premier League.
Chelsea refused to roll over though, and Jorginho finally secured the victory, converting again from the spot after Klich stupidly tussled with Rudiger and was penalised for the challenge.
Jorginho made Leeds pay the penalty, firing home with one of the last kicks.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said: "It was a nice game of football - very intense. I'm very happy how we played, the quality and the effort. I think we deserved to win but of course, it was lucky to get a goal in the extra time. Coming from behind twice is very impressive. I'm very happy we turned things around but I didn't expect anything else.
"We were very unlucky in the last two games but we were lucky today with very late goals to turn things around. Maybe it was exactly what we needed.
"It's not easy to score two penalties in the same match. I was curious if he was going to take the second one as he could let Kai [Havertz] or Romelu [Lukaku] take it. But we believe in him, although it's not easy. Full credit to him."
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa said: "I think the fair result would have been a draw.
"Both teams played a beautiful game. For us to manage that they didn't play well was very difficult, and to create danger against them, also.
"But, in a balanced way, we managed to achieve both things, which wasn't enough for us to be better than them but we also could not be worse than them.
"I never give an opinion [on the penalties], whatever the referee decides is fine with me."
Sky Sports' Lewis Jones at Stamford Bridge:
"Fortune certainly shone on Chelsea here. Thomas Tuchel's side may have got back on the winning trail but there seems some underlying problems the manager needs to sort if they are going to keep up with Liverpool and Manchester City in the title race - in both attack and defence.
"Chelsea have now conceded eight goals across their last three games in all competitions, as many as in their previous 18. Even the usually unflappable Thiago Silva looked a little bit chaotic in his defending and when Cesar Azpilicueta was replaced, he looked like a defender that had been given the run around. There is a feeling Ben Chilwell's presence down the left is also being missed with Marcos Alonso always liable for a mistake at a key moment, as shown by the opening goal.
"Leeds were good value for their two goals scored.
"It was in attack where Chelsea really failed to hit their usual heights. Timo Werner was marked out of things by Stuart Dallas down the left while Kai Havertz still looks very raw and lacks the presence needed to lead the line for a title-chasing side. Chance creation figures were low, too. If you take out the penalties, Chelsea only created an expected goals tally of 1.2 - their third-lowest total of the season at Stamford Bridge. Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier didn't have much to do other than picking the ball out of his net three times.
"If it wasn't for some horrendous decision making from Leeds players inside the box, then Chelsea wouldn't have left with maximum points. That is unsustainable form for a title challenger."
Chelsea now host Everton at 7.45pm on Thursday, while Leeds are at Man City at 8pm on Tuesday. Watch free highlights from both games shortly after full time on Sky Sports.com, the Sky Sports App and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel.
