Leeds ended a four-game losing streak, denting Chelsea’s Premier League title hopes in a comfortable 3-1 victory over the Blues.
The Blues tumbled to fourth place, nine points behind leaders Arsenal, following a dismal performance at Elland Road.
With manager Daniel Farke under pressure, the hosts dominated the first half, scoring twice, including the first Premier League goals for Jaka Bijol and Ao Tanaka.
Chelsea recovered at the start of the second half, and halftime substitute Pedro Neto equalized in the 50th minute, but Enzo Maresca’s side suffered a major setback when they allowed a third goal in the 72nd minute due to a defensive lapse.
Tosin Adarabioyo’s error allowed Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin to tap in, restoring his team’s two-goal lead and securing a sorely needed second win in nine games to lift them out of the bottom three.
It was Farke’s first win over a club ranked higher than 13th in the Premier League in more than three years, and it came at a critical time as their German manager faced mounting displeasure from the fans amid speculation about his future following their terrible recent performances.
Leeds made four chances in the first five minutes before Slovenian center-back Bijol, a summer signing from Udinese, headed in Anton Stach’s sixth-minute corner.
Aside from Joao Pedro’s mishit effort, Liam Delap’s feeble, poked shot in the 38th minute was their last attempt on goal before the break.
Leeds extended their lead two minutes before halftime when Enzo Fernandez was dispossessed near his own box, and Jayden Bogle found Tanaka to fire a thunderous, twisting shot.
Maresca substituted Neto and Malo Gusto for Benoit Badiashile and Estevao Willian, who was fortunate to receive a yellow rather than a red card for kicking out at Gabriel Gudmundsson.
But Lukas Nmecha and Calvert-Lewin had chances before Neto volleyed Jamie Gittens’ cross into the back post.
Chelsea brought on Cole Palmer, who had returned from a groin injury after more than two months away, and Alejandro Garnacho to invigorate their team, and the two connected for a big chance in the 69th minute, but Palmer pulled his low shot wide.
Leeds scored the clinching third goal three minutes later, when Adarabioyo’s clumsy under-hit pass to keeper Robert Sanchez allowed Noah Okafor to nip in and square for Calvert-Lewin, who netted his second goal in as many games after scoring in Manchester.
While Chelsea was surpassed by Aston Villa in third position, Leeds climbed to 17th place, three points ahead of West Ham, who face Manchester United this Thursday.
