Overview
- Leeds climbed out of the relegation zone with goals from Jaka Bijol and Ao Tanaka before Dominic Calvert-Lewin sealed the win after Pedro Neto had briefly cut the deficit.
- Enzo Maresca admitted Leeds were better “in all aspects,” called it a “very poor” night, and said Chelsea must reset with a trip to Bournemouth in 48 hours.
- The defeat dropped Chelsea to fourth, nine points behind leaders Arsenal, weakening their title credentials after momentum-building results against Barcelona and Arsenal.
- Maresca rotated without the suspended Moises Caicedo and rested Reece James and Wesley Fofana, with coverage highlighting Chelsea’s much lower win rate when Caicedo does not start.
- Estevão was withdrawn at half-time to avoid a possible red card, Cole Palmer returned from injury as a substitute, and pundits Gary Neville and John Terry criticized the defense and selection policy.