May 11, (THEWILL) –Â With an easy 3-0 victory at Elland Road on Wednesday night, Chelsea tightened their grip on a UEFA Champions League spot while deepening Leeds’ relegation troubles.
Mason Mount’s thunderous finish put the visitors ahead early in the first half, before Dan James was sent off for a dangerous, high challenge on Mateo Kovacic.
With only four minutes remaining, Chelsea quietened a loud home crowd. Mount completed a wonderful passing move by sprinting onto Reece James’ cut-back and drilling an exquisite side-foot finish into the net’s roof.
Two minutes later, Mount was involved again, this time zipping a low ball across the area, but Romelu Lukaku was unable to get on the end of it. The England international then tried again, but Diego Llorente easily blocked his low effort.
Leeds ultimately gained a foothold after Chelsea’s early dominance, and Llorente had a half-decent effort from range. Dan James swooped in high with studs up on Kovacic, and referee Anthony Taylor gave him his marching orders barely 24 minutes in, undoing the fine work the Whites were beginning to put in.
Lukaku came within a whisker of increasing the lead with an angled header that went just wide after a stunning lob was ruled out for offside.
A medical incident in the audience forced the game to be called off shortly before halftime. Fortunately, the injured fan was said to be conscious and receiving care soon after.
Leeds’ frustrations nearly came to a head two minutes before halftime, but Kalvin Phillips was only given a yellow card for knocking down Christian Pulisic after the winger had dispossessed him.
Pulisic scored beautifully into the bottom corner from Mount’s clever pass ten minutes into the second half to put Chelsea ahead. After Rodrigo was dispossessed deep in his own area, the American almost had a four-minute brace but bent a strike the wrong side of the post.
Lukaku eventually scored after several attempts. The Belgian spun his opponent in the left channel before cutting inside and slamming a drive just wide. The attacker then displayed incredible poise after mis-controlling a Hakim Ziyech pass close in and unleashing a powerful strike into the top corner three minutes after having a goal-bound effort blocked.
Late on, Leeds’ finest chance of the game came when Robin Koch appeared in the Chelsea box but headed wildly over. Mount also had a chance to score at the other end, but the game ended 3-0.
The defeat leaves Leeds stuck in the relegation zone, level on points with Burnley despite having played one game more than the Clarets. They have two crucial games left, starting on Sunday against Brighton and Hove Albion.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are now one step closer to qualifying for the UEFA Champions League next season. However, their focus now shifts to Saturday’s FA Cup final against Liverpool.
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