Leeds 0-3 Chelsea (James red card 24′ | Mount 4′, Pulisic 55′, Lukaku 83′)
ELLAND ROAD — There will come a time for a full inquest into Leeds United’s disastrous campaign, and the myriad mistakes that have been made, but Wednesday night at a febrile Elland Road was not it.
Not with emotions running so high. Not when, crucially, Jesse Marsch’s team still have two games to save themselves from the drop, however unlikely that now seems.
For the second match running, Marsch’s ill-disciplined side lost their heads and another opportunity to haul themselves out of relegation trouble.
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When Dan James was dismissed in the 24th minute for a dangerous lunge on Mateo Kovacic, any hope Leeds had of salvaging any points went with him.
Chelsea were 1-0 up at that point through a delightful Mason Mount strike and, had James remained on the pitch, Leeds might have had a chance.
Probably not, though, as Thomas Tuchel’s side always gave the impression they could move through the gears – and so it proved when Christian Pulisic and Romelu Lukaku added second-half strikes.
Credit to Chelsea, of course. Tuchel made four changes ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final against Liverpool but his team was still littered with quality and proved far too good for Leeds.
They are lacking quality in too many areas right now and have not been helped by injuries to key players and the recklessness of those on the field.
Luke Ayling’s season ended following his straight red card in Sunday’s defeat at Arsenal and James will also now miss the remaining games, while Jack Harrison went off injured in the first half.
Leeds captain Liam Cooper was fit to start while former Chelsea prospect Lewis Bate, 19, was handed a first Premier League start in midfield.
Yet Chelsea needed just four minutes to find the net. Lukaku and Mount were involved in a move which saw the ball worked out to Reece James on the right flank.
He found Mount on the edge of the 18-yard box and the England man hit a superb right-foot shot which flew into the top of the net.
Chances began to proliferate in front of Leeds’ goal and midway through the first half, James was shown the straight red for his needless late tackle on Kovacic on halfway which soon forced the Chelsea midfielder off injured.
Lukaku lifted the ball in the net from Mount’s clever pass, only for an offside flag to deny him a goal.
The striker then headed wide but victory was secured 10 minutes into the second half when Mount’s deft touch found Pulisic, who had time and space to rifle home a low left-foot shot.
Lukaku got the goal his efforts deserved late on, showing strength to engineer the space and thump in a left-foot shot from close range.
While Chelsea’s focus now turns to Liverpool and Wembley, Leeds must rouse themselves for a critical home clash with Brighton the following day. On this evidence, it is a huge ask.
Player ratings
Leeds
- Meslier 6
- Raphinha 5
- Koch 6
- Cooper 6
- Llorente 6
- Struijk 6
- Bate 6
- Phillips 5
- Harrison 6
- James 4
- Rodrigo 5
Subs
- Firpo 6
- Klich 6
- Gelhardt 6
Chelsea
- Mendy 6
- James 7
- Chalobah 6
- Rudiger 6
- Christensen 6
- Alonso 6
- Kovacic 6
- Jorginho 6
- Mount 8
- Lukaku 7
- Pulisic 7
Subs
- Azpilicueta 6
- Loftus-Cheek 6
- Ziyech 6
Reaction: ‘Reckless’ Dan James sent off for ‘indefensible’ tackle
Paul Robinson on BBC Radio 5 Live: “It’s the last thing Leeds needed, two games in a row. Dan James had no reason to make such a strong challenge in that area of the pitch.
“It’s a terrible looking challenge. There’s no need to make that tackle. You have to keep your emotions in check. It’s indefensible.”
Sky Sports commentator Alan Smith: “He’s trying to win the ball back but he’s gone way over the top, in more ways than one. He certainly endangered an opponent and that’s why the red card has come out.”
Phil Babb on Sky’s Soccer Special: “I’m in shock. Jesse Marsch must be scratching his head. Leeds are throwing this away again. It’s there to be won. But if that leg is planted, he’s in real trouble.
“It’s a red card. It’s not even close. The more you see it, the more it gets worse. Unprofessional. He’s really put his team in it now. Dan James, take a look at yourself.”
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