Leeds United delivered a much-needed response at Elland Road with a deserved 3-1 victory over Chelsea, a result that lifts Daniel Farke’s men out of the relegation zone and echoes the resilience they showed in previous close battles reported by SoftFootball, including their 3-2 loss to Manchester City.
The win also undercuts Chelsea’s ambitions, just days after Maresca’s side were tipped to push on in their pursuit of consistency, as highlighted in the match preview.
Chelsea arrived with momentum from their strong defensive showing in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal, as reported by SoftFootball, but they quickly found themselves undone by Leeds’ aggression and efficiency.
The hosts struck early when Anton Stach whipped in a near-post corner that Jaka Bijol headed in after just six minutes. Leeds maintained their intensity, and the pressure paid off again shortly before halftime as Ao Tanaka pounced on a loose ball and fired a clean, driven finish into the bottom corner to double the advantage.
Chelsea responded after the break with more urgency, introducing Pedro Neto to inject pace and directness. The move paid off almost instantly when Jamie Gittens reached the byline and delivered a cut-back that Neto guided past Lucas Perri to spark a brief spell of hope for the visitors.
Leeds, however, remained resolute, absorbing possession while waiting for moments to strike in transition. Their opportunity came in the 72nd minute when Tosin Adarabioyo misjudged a backpass, allowing Noah Okafor to step in and set up Dominic Calvert-Lewin for a simple finish that restored Leeds’ two-goal cushion.
Leeds United, via their official X account, shared a post celebrating their thrilling 3-1 Premier League victory over Chelsea at Elland Road, with goals from Mateo Joseph, Joel Piroe, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin sealing a vital win that lifts the Whites out of the relegation zone.
Check the post below:
The result carries significant implications on both ends of the table. For Leeds, it snaps a four-game losing run and strengthens belief in Farke’s approach, offering a valuable reminder of their capacity to challenge stronger sides when disciplined and clinical.
For Chelsea, it marks a damaging setback in their attempts to stay in touch with the league leaders. They dominated possession but produced little penetration, managing only two shots on target despite their territorial control.
Maresca now faces renewed scrutiny after another defeat at Elland Road, a ground where his teams have historically struggled. As Leeds climb to safety for the moment, Chelsea are left reassessing their vulnerabilities, particularly in key defensive moments that continue to undermine their ambitions.
