The Whites looked to absorb early pressure but after a few warning signs, Cole Palmer found too much space and slipped a pass into Joao Pedro who dinked a lovely finish over Karl Darlow on 24 minutes. Palmer doubled Chelsea’s lead from the spot on 58 minutes after Jaka Bijol’s needless foul, the Leeds defender pushing Pedro in the back just like two Wolves defenders did last weekend.
A foul on Jayden Bogle in the box allowed Nmecha to pull one back for Leeds from 12 yards with 25 minutes to go, the striker rifling his effort into the net as Robert Sanchez went the wrong way. Bogle then caused chaos in the Chelsea box with Noah Okafor the beneficiary, tapping in for 2-2. Palmer then missed a late sitter from two yards and the spoils were shared.
YEP chief football writer Graham Smyth was at Stamford Bridge to watch the action. Here are his Leeds United player ratings...
7 - Came under some pressure from crosses and dealt well with it. Couldn't do much about the two goals.
1. GK: Karl Darlow
7 - Came under some pressure from crosses and dealt well with it. Couldn't do much about the two goals. | AFP via Getty Images
7 - Some good moments defensively and got forward well to help force the attack for the penalty.
2. RWB: James Justin
7 - Some good moments defensively and got forward well to help force the attack for the penalty. | Getty Images
4 - Endured a pretty horrible first half. Allowed Joao Pedro to run off him for the first goal and was caught chasing a few times. Looked uncertain. Withdrawn early in the second, on a yellow.
3. CB: Sebastiaan Bornauw
4 - Endured a pretty horrible first half. Allowed Joao Pedro to run off him for the first goal and was caught chasing a few times. Looked uncertain. Withdrawn early in the second, on a yellow. | AFP via Getty Images
6 - Came up with some big headers and blocks but lost his head when he two-handed Joao Pedro in the back for the penalty.
4. CB: Jaka Bijol
6 - Came up with some big headers and blocks but lost his head when he two-handed Joao Pedro in the back for the penalty. | Getty Images
7 - Some solid defending. Wanted the ball and dealt with it well for the most part.
5. CB: Joe Rodon
7 - Some solid defending. Wanted the ball and dealt with it well for the most part. | Getty Images
7 - Had a more difficult night defensively than some others but still stood up to it and stayed in the fight. Tried to get forward when he could.
6. LWB: Gabriel Gudmundsson
7 - Had a more difficult night defensively than some others but still stood up to it and stayed in the fight. Tried to get forward when he could. | Getty Images