We can count ourselves fortunate to say the least that Leeds United came away from Chelsea with a draw, as Cole Palmer was unable to convert the easiest chance of his career.
The Whites needed a slice of luck to come away from Stamford Bridge with anything on Tuesday night. Such a contrast in squad depth and riches available made it an uphill battle.
However, an incredibly spirited comeback in the second half ensured Leeds move onto 30 points for the season in a 2-2 draw.
Cole Palmer at centre of chaotic second half as Leeds United draw with Chelsea
The player to watch from the home side was obviously attacking midfielder Cole Palmer. Fresh from a hattrick away at Molineux, he started this game on Tuesday where he left off.
Picking up pockets of space consistently, he eventually punished Leeds with a defence-splitting ball. He played to Joao Pedro, who lifted the ball over Karl Darlow for 1-0.
After half-time, Palmer converted a spot-kick to seemingly put the game beyond Leeds. However, Daniel Farke and his side had other ideas.
A likewise spot-kick was dispatched by fellow Man City academy graduate Lukas Nmecha. After that, the German international then stabbed the ball into the path of Noah Okafor for the equaliser. Both goals incredibly orchestrated by Jayden Bogle, might I add.
That brief period of Leeds dominance soon settled back into more of the same: Chelsea knocking on the door.
A cross from Moises Caicedo to the back post looked destined to see Chelsea snatch a winner as Palmer lurked in space. However, the Blues star couldn’t keep his shot down and missed an open goal from inside the six-yard box.
Spotted: Lukas Nmecha winds up Cole Palmer after scoring Leeds United penalty v Chelsea
There was a lengthy delay to Leeds’ penalty that restored hope for a comeback. After Bogle was brought down, there was very little in the way of a VAR review, and rightly so.
However, as Rob Jones cleared the penalty area, Nmecha was made to wait due to his old academy teammate Palmer.
Palmer was booked for delaying the restart. The Chelsea man was seen trying to instruct Robert Sanchez on Nmecha’s penalty technique. But, his tactics did nothing to put Nmecha off, as the Leeds striker slammed his penalty with Sanchez diving the wrong way.
As Ethan Ampadu reflected on the penalty at full-time with TNT Sports, replays showed Nmecha shouting to Palmer in the aftermath:
Images via TNT Sports (below).
Nmecha now sits on six goals for the season, having joined Leeds on a free transfer as the first confirmed signing of the summer window.
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