Leeds United secured a sensational win in the Premier League on Wednesday night. Daniel Farke’s side beat title challengers Chelsea 3-1 at Elland Road, to pick up a huge three points in their quest for top-flight survival.
The game started in perfect fashion for the West Yorkshire outfit.
Defender Jaka Bijol rose highest from a corner to head home, after making a darting run from the edge of the 18-yard box to the corner of the six-yard box before unleashing his powerful header.
Chelsea did not really threaten despite dominating possession, having 71% across the game. Leeds were able to double their lead on the stroke of half-time, thanks to a sublime effort from Ao Tanaka.
The ball broke to Jayden Bogle on the edge of the box, who laid it off to Tanaka. The midfielder smashed it in from range to put his side 2-0 up.
Enzo Maresca’s men were able to pull a goal back just five minutes after the restart through Pedro Neto. However, Leeds resisted their pressure and managed to get a third goal after a calamitous mistake from Chelsea allowed Dominic Calvert-Lewin to score.
It was a superb win for Leeds, with some standout performances across the pitch.
Leeds’ best players vs. Chelsea
One of the most impressive things about this Leeds victory was how hard everyone worked. That was certainly the case for captain Ethan Ampadu. Playing against his former club, the Welshman was the dominant force in midfield.
His stats from the game reflect how well he performed, both on and off the ball. Ampadu had 54 touches of the ball and had an 86% pass accuracy. He also won six duels and made six ball recoveries.
It was an all-action showing from the Wales international.
Another player who shone for the Whites was right wing-back Bogle. He was a real handful for Chelsea going forward, with his performance earning him an 8/10 rating from Graham Smyth, journalist for the Yorkshire Evening Post.
Smyth praised the fact that he ‘drove Leeds forward’, with the defender a real threat in attack.
That all came to a head with his assist for Tanaka, where he pounced on a loose ball before a Chelsea player could reach it, and quickly found his teammate with a first-time pass.
Ampadu and Bogle played well, but they were arguably outshone by one of their teammates.
Leeds’ best signing since Raphinha
It seemed to be a good night for wing-backs at Elland Road. Bogle was not the only one who stood out, with left wing-back Gabriel Gudmundsson one of the best players in a White shirt against Chelsea.
He enjoyed plenty of success defensively, coming up directly against the electric Estevao, and offered a threat going forward.
Gudmundsson won an exceptional 12 from 19 duels and five from eight tackles, as well as creating two chances.
Touches
55
Ground duels won
12/19
Tackles won
5/8
Ball recoveries
6
Crosses completed
2
Key passes
2
The excellent performance from the Swede was noticed by Smyth, who gave him a 9/10 for his efforts. The journalist praised him for how well he got forward, and credited him for the fact that he ‘got back in to defend and do his bit’.
As far back as September, the left-back was being called “the best” player in the Premier League in his position by journalist James Marshment.
The 26-year-old has made a brilliant start to life at Elland Road, featuring in all 14 of their top-flight games so far, and playing 90 minutes nine times.
There is a case to be made that the defender is Leeds’ best signing since Raphinha. The Brazilian was exceptional for the West Yorkshire side, and really hit the ground running in the Premier League. He managed 15 goals and assists in his first top-flight season.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Well, Gudmundsson is making an equally fast start. To be branded as one of the best players in the league so soon is a testament to how well he has performed.
There haven’t really been any Leeds players who have started this fast, especially on the top-flight since Raphinha, with several of the players they have signed in previous Premier League campaigns now having left the club.
Farke will be desperate for this form to continue, and for Gudmundsson to prove he is one of their best signings since Raphinha.
Better than Calvert-Lewin: 9/10 hero had his best game for Leeds vs Chelsea
This Leeds star shone in their 3-1 win over Chelsea
ByJoe Nuttall Dec 4, 2025