Leeds United brilliantly fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Chelsea on Tuesday. Second-half goals from Lukas Nmecha and substitute Noah Okafor earned another massive point on the road as Daniel Farke’s side showed their resilience.
The Whites looked to absorb early pressure but after a few warning signs, Cole Palmer found too much space and slipped a pass into Joao Pedro who dinked a lovely finish over Karl Darlow on 24 minutes. Palmer doubled Chelsea’s lead from the spot on 58 minutes after Jaka Bijol’s needless foul, the Leeds defender pushing Pedro in the back just like two Wolves defenders did last weekend.
A foul on Jayden Bogle in the box allowed Nmecha to pull one back for Leeds from 12 yards with 25 minutes to go, the striker rifling his effort into the net as Robert Sanchez went the wrong way. Bogle then caused chaos in the Chelsea box with Noah Okafor the beneficiary, tapping in for 2-2. Palmer then missed a late sitter from two yards and the spoils were shared.
YEP chief football writer Graham Smyth was at Stamford Bridge to watch the action. Here are his Leeds United player ratings...
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13. Sub: Daniel James
6 - Couldn't give Leeds a threat going forward it was almost all defensive work, struggled to stop crosses from that side but kept at it. | Getty Images
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14. Sub: Sean Longstaff
NA - On in stoppage time and gave away a free-kick in a dangerous area. | Getty Images
15. Referee: Rob Jones
5 - Came under a lot of pressure in the first half and bowed to it a few times. Came close to losing his grip as the tension bubbled late in the first half. Got the penalties right. | AFP via Getty Images