Chelsea 3 Leeds 1: Giroud and Zouma complete Blues comeback as Frank Lampard’s side go top of the Premier League
THE BIG FRENCHMAN can’t stop scoring.
Kurt Zouma, that is.
It was Olivier Giroud who cancelled out the opening goal by another striker who found his opportunities at Chelsea limited, Patrick Bamford.
Giroud’s fifth strike in four days justified his selection but the game was turned in Chelsea’s favour by Zouma’s fourth goal from centre back in his impressive start to the season.
Christian Pulisic’s late third sealed a win that sent the Blues top of the Premier League and this was a performance that suggested Frank Lampard’s team have what it takes to remain there or thereabouts.
Leeds played their part in an entertaining game but the Blues dominated the second half and turned that domination into three points in impressive style.
Lampard didn’t need his own spy to know what to expect from Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
But the way Chelsea restricted Leeds’ chances while creating plenty of their own was a tactical triumph.
The 2,000 home fans indulged in high-pitched, mocking cheers as the visitors passed it around at the back but after Pulisic’s goal they felt confident enough to sing about being top of the league.
Lampard went into the match with a fully fit squad and such is the strength in depth he now commands that he was able to make eight changes from the side that had crushed Sevilla like over-ripe oranges in midweek.
Giroud kept his place and made his first Premier League start of the season in an attacking Blues line-up that contained all six big-name summer signings for only the second time.
Edouard Mendy has arguably been the most significant, giving Lampard a reliable ‘keeper to replace the error-prone Kepa.
All but faultless since his arrival, and playing behind a defence marshalled well by fellow new recruit Thiago Silva, the Senegalese had kept eight clean sheets in his first 11 appearances.
But his first big mistake proved costly.
By the time it happened, mind you, Chelsea might have been ahead, as the game began at breakneck speed.
Hakim Ziyech forced a save from Illan Meslier inside a minute, Giroud headed the resulting corner into the side netting and the goal at the other end came after another attack by the home side had broken down.
As Leeds countered at pace, Kalvin Phillips’ pass towards the run of Bamford looked overhit but as Kurt Zouma left it for his goalkeeper to tidy up, Mendy rushed to the edge of his penalty area then changed his mind.
In nipped Bamford to take the ball past him and finish calmly with his left foot. Like Giroud, the 27 year old know what it’s like to be frustrated by Chelsea, having spent all five years of his Blues “career” on loan elsewhere.
His eighth league of the season was another one in the eye for those who said he could not cut it at this level.
Leeds soon lost Robin Koch to injury and Chelsea were almost level immediately. Mason Mount’s corner looked to be heading straight in, but Timo Werner not only stopped it but then somehow hit the crossbar from point-blank range.
Before Giroud’s equaliser, Leeds were the more threatening and had chances to extend their lead, including a shot by Ezgjan Alioski that hit the post.
Giroud wasted one opportunity when he intercepted a poor Meslier clearance only to scuff his shot wide, but claimed a fine centre-forward’s goal to level the score.
Ziyech cleverly teed up Reece James for a cross and Giroud provided the near-post finish that the delivery deserved.
It was to be Ziyech’s final involvement in the game, as he too succumbed to injury.
Although clear-cut chances dried up, the match continued at a frantic pace.
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While the first half had been even and end-to-end, the second began with Chelsea very much in control.
Leeds struggled to enjoy meaningful possession in the Blues’ half and almost fell behind when Kai Havertz met a James’ free kick but sent his close-range header off target.
But Bielsa’s side should have regained the lead when Raphinha’s shot was parried by Mendy and the Brazilian sent his follow-up over the bar.
Instead Chelsea went down the other end and scored. Meslier did well to make a double save from Werner but Mount’s effort was deflected behind for a corner.
The England midfielder swung in the set-piece and no Leeds defender seemed to fancy challenging Zouma, who headed powerfully home.
The away side rarely looked like finding a way back into the game and only another Meslier save stopped Werner killing the game with 15 minutes to go.
Giroud sent a free header over the bar from the latest dangerous corner by Mount.
Fortunately for him and Chelsea, Zouma’s more accurate effort would have been enough even before Pulisic sealed the deal.
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