Chelsea's English midfielder #10 Cole Palmer (L) celebrates with Chelsea's Brazilian striker #20 Joao Pedro (R) after scoring their second goal from the penalty spot during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Leeds United at Stamford Bridge in London on February 10, 2026.placeholder image
Chelsea's English midfielder #10 Cole Palmer (L) celebrates with Chelsea's Brazilian striker #20 Joao Pedro (R) after scoring their second goal from the penalty spot during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Leeds United at Stamford Bridge in London on February 10, 2026. | AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea's Champions League fate for next season remains in their own hands despite a 2-2 draw with Leeds United on Tuesday
Chelsea failed to take the chance to strengthen their grip on a Champions League spot after they let a 2-0 lead slip against Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.
With several English clubs performing well across a number of European competitions, the Premier League has a strong UEFA co-efficient and the top five spots are likely to be enough to secure Champions League qualification for next season.
The Blues have 44 points from their opening 44 games and they sit five points above Liverpool in sixth and the same number ahead of seventh-placed Brentford. Both the Reds and the Bees have yet to play in midweek so could close that gap.
Chelsea are in fifth after Manchester United drew 1-1 with West Ham at the London Stadium.
Liam Rosenior’s side took the lead through Joao Pedro on 24 minutes and Cole Palmer converted from the penalty spot just before the hour mark.
However, Leeds had other ideas as two goals in five minutes saw the West Yorkshire side grab a point. Lukas Nmecha grabbed a goal back from the penalty spot before Noah Okafor equalised with a scrappy goal soon after.
Cole Palmer had the opportunity to win the game for Chelsea late on but he missed the golden chance to regain the lead.
"Six minutes of switching off. We were in complete control of the game. I don't want to talk about the football we played. If we want to improve, we have to make sure we're switched on for 90 minutes,” said Rosenior afterwards.
"Devastated because some of the football we played was excellent. We should have come away with three points. We gift them a point.”
There was some controversy about Leeds’ equaliser. Jayden Bogle appeared to handle the ball in the build-up. Asked about the incident Rosenior added: *"*At the time I did. If there's any contact, it should be disallowed.
"The rule is the rule. From my understanding, if there's any handball in the lead up to a goal, it shouldn't stand. So if they've said [it was not deliberate] then someone explain the rules to me. They need to help the referee.
"You saying that [the officials said it was not deliberate] has only got me angrier. That's unacceptable if they've come with that judgement."
How many points Chelsea need to finish above Man Utd and Liverpool - according to Opta
A fifth qualification spot gives hope to plenty of sides of securing their place in the Champions League and could mean a lower points tally is needed to qualify compared to when it was just four spots. Newcastle United finished fifth last season with 66 points, as they placed above Aston Villa on goal difference.
According to Opta’s final Premier League table prediction, Manchester United will finish fifth this season with 63 points. Chelsea will be just above them on 63 points but with a better goal difference. It means Liverpool will be the club to miss out, as they are forecast to end the season on 61 points.
It means Chelsea would only need 62 points to ensure they had a top five finish. Brentford are tipped for European football but to finish in seventh with 58 points.