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Cole Palmer missed a stoppage-time sitter after Chelsea threw away a two-goal
lead in a 2-2 draw with Leeds United as Liam Rosenior's side passed up the
chance to go fourth in the Premier League.
Stamford Bridge was in a state of disbelief when Palmer skied over from
point-blank range in the dying seconds. He could - and should - have won it
after Leeds clawed their way back from a seemingly impossible position. This was
an opportunity missed for Chelsea.
"He's in the position, 999 times out of 1,000 he scores," Chelsea boss Liam
Rosenior said of Palmer. "It was just that one in 1,000 moment."
Chelsea will be scratching their heads over how they let their lead slip. Palmer
had scored from the spot to make it 2-0 just before the hour after setting up
Joao Pedro for his chipped first-half opener. They were cruising and Leeds were
all over the place.
On course for a fifth straight league win under Rosenior, Chelsea capitulated by
conceding two sloppy goals in six second-half minutes. Lukas Nmecha's penalty
and substitute Noah Okafor's equaliser were Leeds' only shots on target of the
game.
Daniel Farkes' side, without top scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Chelsea due to
illness, move above Tottenham in the table up to 15th and remain six points
clear of the drop zone thanks to Manchester United snatching a late 1-1 draw at
West Ham.
That last-gasp Benjamin Sesko goal at West Ham kept Chelsea in fifth on what can
only be described as an exasperating night for Rosenior, who remains unbeaten
after five league games. Still with plenty to do, however.
Player ratings:
Chelsea: Sanchez (6), Gusto (5), Acheampong (5), Chalobah (7),
Cucurella (5), Caicedo (6), Andrey Santos (7), Fernandez (6), Estevao (6), Joao
Pedro (7), Palmer (8).
Subs: Hato (5), Neto (5), Fofana (5), Delap (5).
Leeds: Darlow (5), Justin (7), Bijol (5), Bornauw (5), Rodon
(7), Gudmundsson (5), Bogle (6), Gruev (6), Ampadu (6), Aaronson (6), Nmecha
(7).
Subs: Okafor (8), James (6), Longstaff (N/A).
Player of the Match: Noah Okafor (Leeds).
Should Leeds' goals have stood?
There was no doubt about referee Rob Jones' decision to award a spot-kick when
Jaka Bijol inexplicably pushed Joao Pedro in the back for Chelsea's second goal.
It was a carbon copy of the penalties Chelsea won at Wolves on Saturday. Palmer,
as he did twice at Molineux, finished with ease, sending Karl Darlow the wrong
way.
However, both of Leeds' goals came from officiating decisions that were
questioned by former Premier League referee Mike Dean.
Okafor's 73rd-minute equaliser was allowed to stand despite the ball clearly
hitting Jayden Bogle's elbow in the build-up. VAR was powerless to intervene
after the referee failed to award a free-kick because Bogle's intervention did
not lead directly to the goal.
"It's hit Bogle's elbow," Dean said on Soccer Special. "I was surprised it
wasn't disallowed. I can only assume they think it's accidental."
Chelsea had more than enough opportunity to deal with the situation but failed
to clear the initial, hopeful ball over the top before allowing Okafor to pop up
and poke home an equaliser to send the travelling fans wild.
Nmecha had earlier pulled a goal back for Leeds from a penalty that Bogle won
after going down under a challenge from Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo that
Dean deemed to be soft.
"It looked a bit harsh," said Dean. "Bogle kind of kicks the back of Caicedo."
Rosenior fumes over Leeds equalizer
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior to TNT Sports on Leeds' equaliser:
"At the time I did [think the ball touched Bogle's arm]. 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."
Why was Leeds' equaliser allowed to stand?
Premier League rules state a goal should only be disallowed for handball if the
offence directly leads to the goal, or the goal is scored immediately after the
offence.
Bogle's handball did not directly lead to the goal, and Chelsea had chances to
clear the ball before Okafor scored. The only way Bogle could have been punished
for the offence was if Jones gave a foul for the handball at the time.
Farke: Fantastic outcome in the circumstances
Leeds boss Daniel Farke to TNT Sports:
"Very proud. Difficult game for us. We had to change our back five.
"Two-nil down, we gave gifts away. But to show such mentality to come back, the
boys did us proud.
"We fought so hard for this point and it's deserved.
"We dug in for the last five minutes and maybe we were a bit lucky. But it's a
fantastic outcome in the circumstances."
Teams
Chelsea Sanchez; Gusto, Acheampong (Fofana 79), Chalobah,
Cucurella (Hato 46); Caicedo, Santos (Delap 79); Palmer, Fernandez (c), Estevao
(Neto 64); Joao Pedro
Subs Not Used Sharman-Lowe, Badiashile, Sarr, Garnacho, Guiu
Booked Gusto, Acheampong, Palmer, Caicedo 90+9
Goals Joao Pedro 24, Palmer 58 (pen)
Leeds United Darlow, Justin, Bijol, Rodon, Bogle, Ampadu (c),
Gruev, Bornauw (Okafor 56), Aaronson (Longstaff 90+5), Gudmundsson, Nmecha
(James 82)
Subs Not Used Perri, Byram, Tanaka, Buonanotte, Gnonto, Piroe
Booked Gudmundsson, Bornauw, Justin, Longstaff
Goals Nmecha 67 (pen), Okafor 73
Attendance 39,253
Referee Robert Jones
VAR John Brooks