Liam Rosenior will likely be scratching his head at how his 100% record in the Premier League did not continue when Chelsea took on Leeds.
The Blues were 2-0 up and cruising in the second half after Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro found the net, however some terrible defending allowed their opponents back into the game.
A controversial refereeing decision didn’t go their way in the build-up to Leeds’ second goal, however Chelsea have themselves to blame for not picking up all three points.
Blues fans were optimistic before the game started when the starting XI came out, with an exciting attacking side being named by Rosenior.
Chelsea v Leeds United - Premier League
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Liam Rosenior had to console Estevao Willian after substitution vs Leeds
This included a rare start together for Palmer and Estevao Willian, although the Brazil international was unable to have the effect he would have liked at Stamford Bridge.
He was replaced in the second half for Pedro Neto, and clearly looked disappointed at how his night had panned out.
Journalist Simon Johnson pointed out that Rosenior was on hand to offer some words of encouragement to the youngster upon his exit from the pitch.
He said: “Rosenior had a few words of encouragement to say to Estevao there as he came off.”
While it was not the personal game the Brazil international will have wanted, the wider issue is how the defenders dealt with some relatively basic long balls to the Leeds strikers in the second half.
Chelsea v Leeds United - Premier League
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Estevao has reason to enjoy rest of 2025/26
Plenty of Chelsea players are going to be feeling the pressure of delivering for their club in order to impress international managers and be selected for the 2026 World Cup.
This is something the winger does not have to worry about. Estevao is already confirmed to be going to the World Cup as a key member of the Brazil squad.
He has already enjoyed a very strong start to life in European football, and should not feel the pressure to deliver every single time he steps onto the pitch.
This is where the more established sides come in, and Pedro and Palmer are doing a lot of that heavy lifting right now.
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