Leeds United 0-0 Chelsea: 5 Talking Points as Blues drop points at Elland Road | Premier League 2020-21

#3 Leeds United have a better second half than Chelsea

Rodrigo fluffed his free header straight to Chelsea's Edouard Mendy.

While Chelsea kept hold of the ball more often than their opponents, they were thwarted by resolute defending and eventually ran out of ideas in the final third.

Credit must go to Leeds United for their stellar defensive work because matching the number of kilometres the Chelsea players put in under Tuchel is never easy. In fact, Leeds were more likely than Chelsea to break the deadlock.

Roberts had a handful of moments when he beat his marker, dribbled past them with smart footwork but skewed his shot. Rodrigo, meanwhile, had a free header with the entire Chelsea goal to aim at but could not find the right connection.

Raphinha had Mendy lurching off a fine turn and shot, which was ultimately parried away by the Chelsea custodian. Leeds' threat on the counter, quality of pressing and overall resilience proves why they are only two points off the top half of the table.

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#4 Profligate Chelsea's top-four hopes in the balance

Chelsea had to defend well against a potent Leeds attack.

Yet again, it was a case of 'take it and not make it's for Chelsea. The visitors controlled most of the game and grabbed a staggering tenth clean sheet under Tuchel but could not find a way to breach Leeds' otherwise porous defence.

In fact, Leeds conjured the better chances in front of goal on the night. While there were bursts of pace from the returning Pulisic, smart runs beyond the channel from Havertz and a few overlaps from Ben Chilwell, Chelsea just did not have their scoring boots on.

Aaron Meslier was made to save a number of shots, but none of them really looked to get the better of him.

Chelsea are now two points ahead of West Ham, who have a couple of games in hand. Everton do, too, while Tottenham Hotspur are picking up some real form in the back-end of the season.

It's fair to say, Chelsea's defensive solidity cannot always rescue them and grant a prized Champions League spot as the Blues face a struggle to grab a top-four spot,

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#5 Edouard Mendy is Chelsea's signing of the season

Edouard Mendy gets his fingertips on to a Tyler Roberts shot.

Amidst all the attacking firepower brought to the club, Edouard Mendy has arguably proved to be Chelsea's best signing of the season.

The goalkeeper was at it again, commanding his box, coming out of his lines and collecting the ball whenever Leeds had chances off set-pieces. What was most impressive to see was his ball-playing ability which he managed to showcase against one of the most potent pressing sides in the Premier League.

Mendy got his fingertips to deny Tyler Roberts and then produced a match-saving stop in the second half to deny Raphinha.

He now has 19 clean sheets for Chelsea while only letting in 18 goals in 31 games. The Senegalese is proving to be Ederson's closest competitor to the Golden Glove award this season.

Edouard Mendy for Chelsea this season:—31 games—18 goals conceded—19 clean sheets pic.twitter.com/b8z2P6ikWj

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 13, 2021