An expectant Elland Road was drenched in sunshine as the Whites prepared to face their old rivals in their third league game of the season.
Both teams were hoping to defend their unbeaten start to the 2022/2023 campaign, but the noise was growing inside United’s home ground as fans got ready for one of the biggest fixtures of the calendar.
Patrick Bamford was out injured, but so was N’Golo Kanté, meaning each manager had to make changes, with the teams forced to adjust to the loss of a key player.
Crucially, Thomas Tuchel was in his technical box as an appeal for his touchline ban - a sanction for scrapping with Spurs boss Antonio Conte - is underway.
How did the game play out? Let’s find out...
1. Team news
One change for Jesse Marsch after Patrick Bamford hobbled off with a groin injury at St Mary’s. Dan James comes in to right wing, freeing up Brenden Aaronson for the number 10 role as Rodrigo goes centre-forward.
2. Team news
Thomas Tuchel has lost N’Golo Kanté to injury for several weeks so Conor Gallagher, with just his third senior Blues appearance, steps into the Chelsea midfield.
4. 9’ - Koulibaly booked
£33m summer signing Kalidou Koulibaly is shown a yellow card for a shirt pull on Brenden Aaronson.
5. 15’ - Sterling goal disallowed
Blues’ signing combine as Marc Cucurella plays through Raheem Sterling who finishes neatly past Illan Meslier - but the attacker was offside and the goal is chalked off.
6. 33’ - Leeds take the lead
Brenden Aaronson forces the ball out of Édouard Mendy’s possession and taps it into Chelsea’s empty net for his first Premier League goal. Elland Road erupts.