Leeds vs Chelsea – Farke’s men stun Blues to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone

Chelsea’s Premier League title hopes suffered a major setback with a humiliating 1-3 defeat to Leeds United on Wednesday, lifting the hosts out of the relegation zone.

Leeds came into the match on the back of four consecutive defeats, while Chelsea were on a run of three wins in four unbeaten league games. But the tables were turned at Elland Road to ease the pressure on home manager Daniel Farke.

“We were so desperate to get this club back to the top level and Elland Road was back at its best tonight,” Farke told the club. BBC.

Chelsea remain on 24 points and drop to fourth in the standings, three points behind third-placed Aston Villa who won 4-3 at Brighton & Hove Albion and nine points behind leaders Arsenal after the 2-0 win over Brentford. Leeds are 17th with 14 points.

There was a real lack of urgency in Chelsea’s approach, and it was rewarded as Enzo Maresca’s decision to make five changes to the side that started Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal backfired.

Leeds were on the attack from the start. Anton Stach had a volley blocked and Ao Tanaka shot wide from a good position in the area before finding the opener from a corner in the sixth minute.

Before the corner was taken, Enzo Fernandez shouted at his Chelsea colleagues, clearly displeased with how they had started the match, but his words made little difference.

Stach floated the ball towards the near post, where defender Jaka Bijol lost his marker and rose unchallenged to fire a header past Robert Sanchez from outside the six-yard box.

As Chelsea continued to struggle to gain a foothold in the match, Leeds had another chance from a corner, with Pascal Struijk heading wide.

Tanaka scored another poor try when set up by Stach, but he more than made up for his misses when Fernandez gave away possession in his own half two minutes before half-time.

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Jayden Bogle set up Tanaka, who took a touch before unleashing a ferocious shot from outside the box, the ball sailing into the bottom corner.

Chelsea substitute Pedro Neto got on the end of a Jamie Gittens cross and smashed the ball against the back post five minutes after half-time as the comeback watched.

Leeds had almost scored a third minute earlier, Sánchez denied Lukas Nmecha with a reflex save, and the hosts received plenty of pressure from Chelsea before wrapping up the match.

“A great, great change from my boys, great performance against one of the best sides in the world,” Farke added.

«They won the (Club) World Cup last summer. They are one of the contenders for the Premier League title and then to win this match, also in this way. And I would also say: deserved through chances, expected goals, shots, shots on target.»

Cole Palmer, returning from injury, came off the bench for Chelsea to make his first appearance since September and shot narrowly wide as the visiting side threatened to equalise, but they were again caught napping for Leeds’ third goal in the 72nd minute.

Noah Okafor dispossessed Tosin Adarabioyo in his own area and squeezed the ball past Sanchez for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to tap in and complete the win.

Published on December 4, 2025