Leeds United left a mark on Chelsea in what proved Elland Road farewell against Blues

NINETY one league meetings between fierce rivals Leeds United and Chelsea have produced 39 wins for the Whites, 35 Blues victories and 29 draws.
By Lee Sobot
Published 12th Mar 2021, 16:45 GMT
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The last league clash came at Stamford Bridge in United's final game in the Premier League before relegation which ended in a 1-0 defeat against the league runners-up.

But things were left at Elland Road with Eddie Gray's Whites denying Claudio Ranieri's table topping Blues by taking a point in a 1-1 draw in the last league meeting between the two in West Yorkshire on Saturday, December 6, 2003.

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Leeds approached the contest sitting bottom of the division but went ahead after 18 minutes through a superb solo goal from Jermaine Pennant as Chelsea conceded for the first time since October 18.

MILESTONE STRIKE: Jermaine Pennant scores what remains Leeds United's last league goal against Chelsea at Elland Road back in December 2003. Picture by James Hardisty.MILESTONE STRIKE: Jermaine Pennant scores what remains Leeds United's last league goal against Chelsea at Elland Road back in December 2003. Picture by James Hardisty.
MILESTONE STRIKE: Jermaine Pennant scores what remains Leeds United's last league goal against Chelsea at Elland Road back in December 2003. Picture by James Hardisty.

It was also Pennant's first goal for Leeds in 13 league games since joining from Arsenal on loan.

But after a number of saves from Whites custodian Paul Robinson, a Chelsea side that featured the likes of Frank Lampard, John Terry and Hernan Crespo finally drew level with 20 minutes left through Damien Duff.

Robinson again proved hard to beat in saving a strike from Adrian Mutu but the rebound fell to Duff who levelled though United then had a chance to bag a very late winner when Mark Viduka headed an Ian Harte cross wide.

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But that was that and Chelsea's next visit to Elland Road would ultimately come eight and a half years later in the Capital One Cup.

Leeds were long gone as a Premier League side, until now.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/huge-reputation-chelsea-boss-thomas-tuchel-on-his-leeds-united-memory-and-challenge-facing-marcelo-bielsa-3164185

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

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Thank you Laura Collins

Related topics:BluesChelseaLeedsElland Road