Leeds United produced probably their best performance of the season on Wednesday in a 3-1 win over Chelsea at Elland Road. Goals from Jaka Bijol, Ao Tanaka and Dominic Calvert-Lewin earned a massive three points which pulled the Whites out of the relegation zone for now.
Leeds got off to another fast start and took the lead inside six minutes, with Bijol - back in the starting line-up - meeting Anton Stach's corner at the near post and arrowing a bullet header beyond Robert Sanchez. Daniel Farke’s side frustrated Chelsea for much of the first-half, defending well before doubling their lead via Tanaka’s wonderful 20-yard finish just before the break.
Chelsea pulled one back shortly after half-time as Pedro Neto squeezed the ball in at Lucas Perri’s near post from close range, following a cross from Jamie Gittens. Leeds regrouped, however, and after defending well, restored their two-goal lead after substitute Noah Okafor pounced on a mistake and challenged Sanchez for a ball which fell to Calvert-Lewin for a simple finish.
YEP chief football writer Graham Smyth was at Elland Road and here are his Leeds United player ratings...
1. GK: Lucas Perri
7 - Unable to react to the back post effort for the goal. Kicking accuracy and distance was a problem at times. Dealt well with a lot of crosses. | Getty Images
2. RWB: Jayden Bogle
8 - Relished the chance to get at Chelsea on the counter attack, caused problems and drove Leeds forward. Started to creak a little defensively in the second half, beaten a couple of times and couldn't stop crosses. | AFP via Getty Images
3. CB: Joe Rodon
9 - A class act. Defended with his usual standard and dealt with the ball well. | Getty Images
4. CB: Jaka Bijol
9 - Physically battered Liam Delap in the first half and didn't give him much of a sniff. Won headers. Scored a great goal. Did well on the ball. | AFP via Getty Images
5. CB: Pascal Struijk
9 - Defended with aggression and enjoyed stepping forward to get involved in possession on the left. Should probably have scored in the first half. | AFP via Getty Images
6. LWB: Gabriel Gudmundsson
9 - Got the better of Estevao and saw him off in 45 minutes. Got forward well, got back in to defend and do his bit. | Getty Images