They may have been back in the Premier League for two seasons, but this is the Leeds United the top flight has been missing. In their dominant 3-0 win over Chelsea, they were energetic, exciting and unstoppable as Elland Road roared every individual win on the pitch. It’s taken 24 months, but this famous old stadium was rocking.
In Leeds’ first year back in the Premier League the pandemic robbed us of special moments as an empty stadium witnessed Leeds’ top half finish. Last season, it was a place of misery as team after team came and ran riot in Yorkshire, as the home side just escaped relegation on the final day.
But now, today, there was a huge celebration in the stands. The second half, after Jack Harrison had scored the third, we heard a packed Elland Road serenade the players on the pitch. Those in white gained that extra yard of pace and that extra inch of height, spurred on by their phenomenal home supporters. Last season they sang in defiance as Marcelo Bielsa was dismissed, now they are getting to sing in celebration of Jesse Marsch’s men.
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This crowd can transform their players into giants and they made a talented Chelsea squad look incredibly ordinary. The Blues who impressed against Spurs looked overwhelmed with the match that unfolded before them. Despite the eventual result, they could have been in front as Raheem Sterling missed a golden chance in the first minute before having another goal ruled out by the linesman.
Then, things disintegrated for the visitors.
Edouard Mendy had an absolute howler just after the half hour mark. Leeds’ press had already caused the away side problems and then they took full advantage as the Senegalese dallied on the ball in his own six yard box. Brenden Aaronson’s relentless energy allowed him to nick the ball off the goalkeeper and slide it into an empty net. It was a shocking error from one of the best in the business but the home side took full advantage.
The Chelsea goalkeeper has had a shocker and Brenden Aaronson pounces to give Leeds United the lead! 😮
With the Elland Road crowd right behind them, Leeds doubled their advantage through their main man this term. With Patrick Bamford still out, Rodrigo has stepped up to the plate and bagged his fourth goal in the opening three games with a deft header from a Jack Harrison free-kick. The Brazilian got six goals last term but this term he has taken things up a notch as the main man, supported by an energetic trio behind him.
In the second period, Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic came on and Tuchel took off two central midfielders as he pushed men forward but it was a move that almost instantly backfired as Leeds went 3-0 up. Dan James was played in on the left and picked out Rodrigo with a cross and although he couldn’t find the net, he played in Harrison who took the chance with glee.
This was the perfect home display from Leeds United. It got even better when Kalidou Koulibaly was shown a second yellow with five to go after a senseless shirt pull as Chelsea capitulated and their manager once again lost his cool on the touchline.
But this wasn’t about Chelsea. They were mere bystanders to the main event. Two years in, this is the Leeds United the Premier League expected. This is the Leeds we wanted. Elland Road is back.
