Chelsea suffered a shock 3-0 defeat away at Leeds in a poor performance across all departments against the Yorkshire club.
Edouard Mendy’s awful error turned the game with Brenden Aaronson tapping home after the goalkeeper tried to dribble past him in his own box.
Chelsea never recovered and conceded a second through Rodrigo’s header from a free-kick.
Jack Harrison tapped in a third goal in the second half as Chelsea’s defence were swarmed by attacking bodies looking to get on the end of a cross. To make matters worse, Kalidou Koulibaly saw red for a second bookable offence late on.
Here is how Nizaar Kinsella rated the Chelsea players at Elland Road...
Edouard Mendy - 3
With Aaronson bearing down on him, Edouard Mendy attempted a Cruyff turn on the edge of his six-yard box. Unfortunately, his first touch before the action was sloppy, allowing the United States international to steal the ball and score. From there, the game turned sour for his side.
There was little he could do with Rodrigo’s header and he made several other saves but had already cost his side dearly.
MENDY! 😲
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 21, 2022
The Chelsea goalkeeper has had a shocker and Brenden Aaronson pounces to give Leeds United the lead! 😮 pic.twitter.com/BhFGost0gT
Reece James - 5
Beaten in the air for Rodrigo’s header, but generally kept Leeds out down his right-hand side.
He wasn’t able to contribute much in attack due to his role at right centre-back but had a wonderful long-range effort saved in the 65th minute.
Thiago Silva - 6
He made several good aerial clearances and was one of the better Chelsea players in possession.
Kalidou Koulibaly - 3
Pulled back Aaronson in the ninth minute to earn a booking. He generally struggled off the ball but was good in the build-up and was an outlet to switch the play, as he did for Mason Mount’s first-half effort, to break the Leeds press.
Sent off in the 85th minute after another tactical foul and will now miss the upcoming match against Leicester.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 5
Took too long over a first-half shot and struggled to create any chances down the right. He did, however, forge an opening for Marc Cucurella in the 40th minute.
After an excellent showing against Tottenham at right-wing back, today showed why it remains an imperfect solution and an imperfect position for the Cobham academy graduate.
Marc Cucurella - 6
His late arrivals in the box made him Chelsea’s most likely player to score. However, he squandered most of his chances, shooting with power each time and not hitting the target.
The Spaniard was good at playing out of pressure and his 26th-minute interception created a half chance for Kai Havertz.
Conor Gallagher - 4
Started the match well, releasing Raheem Sterling on two occasions allowing Chelsea to be a threat down the left side. Unfortunately, he became rattled after losing the ball a few times and began to dip later on.
Also missed a one-on-one with Illan Meslier. The second half showed he is more of a No8 than a No6 after Thomas Tuchel switched formation to use him how Patrick Vieira did at Crystal Palace.
IT'S TWO! 🤯
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 21, 2022
What a header that is from Rodrigo! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/otDpmqw5WU
Jorginho - 5
He was almost as guilty as Gallagher at giving away possession as Chelsea lost the midfield battle. His giveaway in the 20th minute led to a Rodrigo shot and he was lucky it went unpunished.
Mason Mount - 6
Mount had a decent effort saved in the first half and had a chance to create a big opening right at the started of the second half but wasted it. Drifted in and out of the game but put his usual intensity into the performance.
Kai Havertz - 5
Caught offside and produced several poor passes in the final third, one simply going out of play under little pressure in the 24th minute.
His work rate couldn’t be questioned but he failed to produce the kind of quality that he expects of himself, seemingly getting more frustrated as the match went on.
Raheem Sterling - 6
For the third match in a row, Sterling was Chelsea’s most dangerous attacking player. Provided an outlet for the hosts’ pressing with most of the attacks coming down the left in an otherwise poor first half. Scored a goal that was flagged offside and almost netted another when cutting in and shooting off the left flank.
Substitutes
Christian Pulisic - 4
Made almost no impact playing first in central midfield and then further up the pitch as Tuchel grasped for solutions to the terrible display.
Hakim Ziyech - 4
Similarly, Ziyech couldn’t impact the game on or off the ball. His set-piece delivery was below his usual level.
Ben Chilwell - N/A
Cesar Azpilicueta - N/A
