Leeds dented Chelsea's title hopes as they pulled off a huge 3-1 win at Elland Road to ease the pressure on Daniel Farke and leave the visitors nine points adrift of Premier League leaders Arsenal.

In a game that could have been pivotal for Farke's future, his decision to stick with the 3-5-2 formation that inspired a second-half fightback in the defeat at Manchester City proved decisive as they brushed Chelsea aside to go three points clear of the drop.

Impressive performances over Arsenal and Barcelona had elevated Chelsea into the title conversation, however the trip to West Yorkshire delivered a reality check for Enzo Maresca up against a side that had lost their last four games.

Leeds deservedly led by two goals at the break after a bullet header at the near post from Jaka Bijol and a stunning long-range strike from Ao Tanaka at either end of a half that Farke's side had dominated with Chelsea registering just a single shot on target.

Maresca's double half-time change brought about an instant impact as Pedro Neto pulled a goal back off the bench soon after the restart, taking advantage of a slip in concentration from Leeds defender Gabriel Gudmundsson to poke in at the back post.

However, Leeds refused to back down and restored their two-goal advantage as Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored for the second game running after substitute Noah Okafor capitalised on a loose pass from Chelsea defender Tosin in his own box.

Neville: Chelsea short of being title contenders

Sky Sports' Gary Neville:

"Chelsea will be in the top four or five, no problem.

"But when you talk about Chelsea winning the league, they are short in goal, short at centre back and short up top.

"Their centre forwards, centre backs and goalkeepers aren't good enough to be title winners."

Teams

Leeds United Perri, Rodon, Bijol, Struijk, Bogle (Justin 87), Stach, Ampadu (c), Tanaka (Gruev 67), Gudmundsson (Bornauw 90+4), Nmecha (Okafor 67), Calvert-Lewin (Piroe 87)
Subs Not Used Darlow, Aaronson, Harrison, Gronto
Booked Stach
Goals Bijol 6, Tanaka 43, Calvert-Lewin 72

Chelsea Sanchez; Chalobah, Tosin, Badiashile (Gusto 46), Cucurella; Santos (Guiu 77), Enzo (c); Estevao (Neto 46), Joao Pedro, Gittens (Palmer 61); Delap (Garnacho 61)
Subs Not Used Jorgensen, Acheampong, James, Hato
Booked Estevao
Goals Neto 50

Attendance 36,767

Referee Darren England

VAR Paul Howard