CHELSEA DEFEAT 10-MAN LEEDS AWAY FROM HOME AND STRENGHTEN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLACE.
A Mason Mount-inspired Chelsea put further pressure on relegation-threatened Leeds United with a 3-0 victory over the ten-man ‘Whites’ at Elland Road.
The hosts were starting a game in the bottom three for the first time since October, and their hopes of climbing to safety were dealt an early blow when Chelsea worked the ball well upfield before Reece James checked his run to pull it back to Mount, who found the top-right corner for his 11th Premier League goal of the season. No English player has been involved in more Premier League goals this season than the 23-year-old (11 goals, ten assists).
Leeds’ task was made much more difficult when winger Daniel James was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Mateo Kovačić, as Jesse Marsch’s team became the first side to receive 100 cards in a single Premier League season.
Thomas Tuchel’s men, as expected, went on to have firm control of the remainder of the half. Chelsea have scored 70 league goals so far this season, which is their highest tally since their most recent title-winning campaign in 2016-17, and they came close to doubling their advantage when Romelu Lukaku headed James’ cross goalwards, but the ball went narrowly wide of the left post.
However, they were able to find the second goal just ten minutes after the restart. Mount’s deft flick to Pulisic gave the American space to shoot from just outside the area, and he made no mistake by curling the ball into the corner. Having seen an earlier shot whistle just wide of the right post, Lukaku eventually got in on act inside the final 10 minutes when he powered home from close range to put extra gloss on the scoreline.
This routine success for Tuchel’s side all but secures their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League, and also ends their three-game winless run in the Premier League. Leeds, meanwhile, remain in a perilous position, as they occupy 18th place with just two games left to achieve survival.
