Well, this game started just like we thought it would with a back and forth full of dazzling offense, questionable transition defense and lots of chances on goal. We also finally got some fans back in the stadium, which I’d say tepidly was a good idea. Instead of crowd noise, you could hear indeterminable but clearly individual shouting. It reminded me of a moderately competitive high school basketball game, especially since I hadn’t realized how close the fans were to the field at Stamford Bridge. Leeds defender Diego Llorente was subjected to odd jeering from the Chelsea fans, a high pitched whooping sound that the internet is still trying to figure the origins of. With his clutchness confirmed yet again the last few games, Olivier Giroud earned the start, cementing his status as possibly the hottest striker in the world at this moment. Up front with him was Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner. Kai Havertz was back in the midfield along with Mason Mount and N’Golo Kante with the normal back-line.
Onto the game, which for the first few minutes was exactly what we hoped for with two early long balls from Thiago Silva, both to Ziyech right in the box. Leeds defended well enough to stave off Ziyech, countering after the second pass so quickly that Kalvin Phillips made his way to the left side and sent in a divine ball to Patrick Bamford, who split two defenders, avoided Edouard Mendy and put Leeds up three minutes in. It was a dizzying pace to the game to start, with Leeds forcing Chelsea out of their typical game of composed, patient build up. I think Frank Lampard knew he’d have to adjust his plans to Leeds, but that first goal definitely could be attributed to Chelsea being caught out of position while trying to match the pace of Leeds. Somehow Mason Mount was taking all of the corners in this game, though Reece James, Ziyech and Ben Chilwell were out there. I’m not complaining because his corners were amazing and in the 8th minute, I don’t know what the fuck happened but I’ll try to describe it. Mount hit a delicious ball in, Giroud got to it with what I can only describe as a majestic side head ball like it came off the smooth skin of a dolphin with perfect touch to send it in the far right corner of the goal where Werner spastically forgot how legs are supposed to work, hit the ball out of its trajectory up into the crossbar where Leeds were able to clear it. Werner saved the goal for Leeds, it was one of the more bizarre plays I’ve ever seen.
Leeds really put off Chelsea’s game plan throughout the first half with Chelsea struggling to determine the best way to attack, honestly relying on Mendy hitting long balls to Giroud where he’d deftly try and get a touch to a winger surging forward. Chilwell, who’s seemed nagged by injuries recently, got farther forward than he has in the past few games. He’s been playing on that side in a much longer range in both halves, but has been on a much more taught, shortened line of play recently. He, Mount and Werner tried some ticky tacky passing on that side to find Giroud, creating several chances. Ziyech got a few balls in, but didn’t really look himself and very unfortunately looked to have pulled his hamstring in the 30th minute, causing a premature Christian Pulisic appearance that had me biting my nails the rest of the game, hoping the minutes wouldn’t be too much for Pulisic. Leeds also played on the edge, passing the ball out of the box and gave Giroud and later Pulisic absolute gifts, that they didn’t convert. Timo couldn’t get any sort of rhythm in the meat of the first half, nor could Kai Havertz, who really needs to get himself back into the mesh of this team. He looked lethargic, confused and out of sync with everyone today in the first half, kind of like he did midweek at Sevilla. Reece James really struggled with Leeds as well, despite being probably Chelsea’s best all around athlete. He still at times looks so timid to do what he does best and cross the ball into the box. He finally found his footing and I kind of knew before he sent the ball into Giroud that a goal was coming, which of course Giroud converted from James’ cross in the 27th minute. It was beautiful and I was just happy that James got himself into the game.
Leeds continued giving Chelsea and Chilwell absolute hell on their right side with Mateusz Klich and Raphinha constantly passing their way around that side, finding Bamford several times for good chances. Reece James shored up on the other side later in the half, where Leeds had been driving consistently as well. N’Golo Kante did his typical Ed Reed impression, often closing like the former Ravens safety to snuff out Leeds attacking chances. Chelsea on the other hand got more comfortable with the gameplay after Giroud’s goal, with Pulisic, Werner and Mount getting forward and creating consistent chances, earning corners, but just lacking that last bit of composure to really finish those interplays. I know Mendy is older, but I really would love if his long balls could add more attacking sting like Ederson and Alisson, like Kepa was supposed to, because a team like Leeds that presses forward so quickly can be vulnerable to those balls and Chelsea’s attacking players are certainly adept at making something of balls like that. As Chelsea moved toward an approach to take better advantage of breaks, Mendy’s clearances met Giroud more often than not, so it would be great if he could direct those better down the middle towards someone making a run at goal or a winger with space. The first half ended with Reece James taking a Werner pass off a Pulisic break and promptly driving it wide of goal instead of to Pulisic who was wide open in the middle or Mount who made a run on the backside top of the box. Fortunately, this game had two halves.
Kai Havertz started to warm up a little better in the second half, making a really nice run down the right side though typically a Mateo Kovacic problem, Kai kept struggling with his first touch, losing the ball repeatedly in the midfield. Not sure if Leeds put him off his game, likely not having played a team like that in his career, but in the second half before he was subbed for Kovacic in the 67th minute, he at least started to look more comfortable. When he and Kante played together before his COVID bout, they were exquisite, running the field in their respective halves like axles of a car. I’m going to chalk it up to him getting match fit again, along with recovering from COVID, though he reportedly was symptom free, though also who the fuck knows with COVID.
Chelsea kept pressing early in the second half and finally Kurt Zouma converted a pounding header off Mount’s corner. It was well taken and apparently Mount has been taking corner lessons from Reece James because every one that he took had sniping flare, floating dangerously each time. After taking the lead, each team honestly looked gassed and the tempo slowed. The interplay of the Chelsea forwards created consistent chances and I think Pulisic took like three different defenders off the dribble only to have each shot blocked as he got onto his right foot. To be fair if they weren’t blocked his position on the field and the touch he got onto those shots would have at least earned a goal or two. Kovacic continued his ripping form, trying to earn back his Il Professore nickname with some strong runs forward, but he ultimately didn’t have enough chemistry with the forwards to really make anything happen. Leeds weren’t helping themselves with their poor clearances, giving the ball away at an alarming click in their own half and many of their runs forward were stalled by Kante in his perfect form. Interestingly in this game, it was Zouma who played the center half consistently with Thiago Silva getting forward almost into an attacking mid role for a few runs. His creativity is wildly underrated, though we’ve seen his long passing be a weapon along with Zouma’s skill for the same. He inserted himself into the attack at times and his stability with that role really opens even more looks Chelsea can employ. With so many different skill sets, this team can really throw so many different tactics at opponents.
Giroud made way for Tammy Abraham in the 79th minute and Timo and Tammy picked up where they left off, providing lovely interplay with some Pulisic sprinkled in. Mount was just dogged today, doing every single thing asked of him on the field and even further developing his offensive picture. I’m glad he’s so young because he could legit be the best English midfielder in a couple of years if he continues his trajectory. This might have been his best game; putting together the defensive responsibilities, his corner taking and interplay with teammates. His offensive intelligence gets better with each game and I think his choices today of passing were excellent though he’ll still have to defer to Pulisic on ball stopping because he doesn’t have the dribble skills to get around people like Pulisic does. It’s still hard for him to create his own space, but his overall offensive game is improving very quickly and I’m elated to think about this team in just two years if everyone stays healthy; I think they could be the best. With all the continued chances, it was clear Chelsea would score again and in stoppage time, Timo took a nice break and found a streaking Pulisic who put away a professional goal that will do wonders for Pulisic’s confidence as he gets himself back into the regular rotation. He’d only scored in the waning moments of the Krasnodar game during a blowout so it’s great to see him get an important, game killing goal, though it was more stabbing an already dead foe. His second goal of the season, first in the Premier League, should improve his overall mental game as overcomes these injuries. Also he needs to do more yoga and apparently the team does, since Ziyech left with a soft tissue injury. Chelsea have a tough slate coming up, so winning this game convincing was important as Leeds are dangerous to every team in the league. Unlike last year, the goals are flowing so even 1-0 down, it was never in doubt they’d at least match that, let alone get two more goals. With everyone getting healthier, the team is showing it’s depth and I believe are really poised to make a run at the Premier League and who knows, maybe make some noise in the Champions League as well.
Bo's Gamut 