Chelsea 2-2 Leeds United: Blues blow the lead as Palmer misses last-gasp winner

Chelsea threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on a controversial night for VAR as Cole Palmer spurned a stunning stoppage-time chance from point-blank range to win the game.

Match Report

Leeds were already without Pascal Struijk and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and found themselves behind at Stamford Bridge when Palmer slotted through for Joao Pedro's 24th-minute opener.

Palmer and Joao Pedro could have added further goals in a one-sided first half, though the pair soon combined in the final 45 minutes to edge Liam Rosenior's side further ahead.

A mindless Jaka Bijol shove on the Brazilian striker allowed Palmer to convert from the penalty spot in the 58th minute, though that inspired Leeds' fightback.

Jayden Bogle surged into the area from the right-hand side, and after he was felled by an ill-timed Moises Caicedo challenge, Lukas Nmecha made no mistake from the penalty spot by finding the left-hand corner.

Bogle then bundled his way through once again six minutes later, with Robert Sanchez failing to claim the loose ball and substitute Noah Okafor converting into an empty net after Nmecha's touch found him.

Having been stunned by the leveller that survived a VAR check for handball against Bogle, Pedro Neto's cross fizzed just wide of the bottom corner before Joao Pedro nodded over in response.

Palmer should have snatched victory back in the fourth minute of stoppage time, but somehow lifted over an open goal after Caicedo's low delivery found him unmarked inside the six-yard area.

Data Debrief: Palmer pays price

Palmer's last-gasp miss accounted for 0.87 of Chelsea's 3.65 expected goals (xG), which should have been enough for victory in a game that saw Leeds accumulate only 1.35.

But Rosenior may look to comfort his main man, Palmer, whose 18 penalty goals in the Premier League are more than any other player since his debut for Chelsea in September 2023.

And although Palmer's glaring chance will take the headlines, Joao Pedro continues to make an impression with six goals in his last eight matches across all competitions.

The Brazilian has scored 10 Premier League goals overall this season – his joint-best in a single campaign, matching his tally in 2024-25 for Brighton.

He is also just the fourth Brazilian to score 10+ goals in back-to-back Premier League seasons, after Roberto Firmino (four from 2015-16 to 2018-19), Richarlison (2018-19 and 2019-20), and Matheus Cunha (2023-24 to 2024-25), but that may prove scant consolation for Chelsea here.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

0' Leeds defender Gabriel Gudmundsson is booked for a late one on Andrey Santos

8' Malo Gusto receives the first booking of the game for a challenge on Gudmundsson

13' Match Event for Chelsea vs Leeds United

15' Acheampong is booked for pulling the shirt of Brenden Aaronson

19' Match Event for Chelsea vs Leeds United

21' Joao Pedro latches on to a clever clipped pass from Enzo but his shot is poor

23' Bornauw is booked after he clipped heels of Palmer as the forward broke at pace

24' GOAL! Joao Pedro puts Blues ahead with a lovely dink! Chelsea 1-0 Leeds United

28' Palmer has a shot from distance which is saved by the keeper

34' CLOSE! Enzo plays a wonderful ball to Pedro whose volley is wide

42' Estevao fires high and wide after receiving the ball

45' Chelsea have replaced Marc Cucurella with Jorrel Hato at half-time

51' Palmer flicks the ball to Estevao and the Brazilian's effort flies just wide

54' Highlight from Chelsea vs Leeds United

59' Penalty! Pedro wins it and Palmer doubles the lead! Chelsea 2-0 Leeds United

68' Penalty Goal! Caicedo gifts a lifeline to visitors! Chelsea 2-1 Leeds United

73' GOAL! Blues make error in the box and Okafor levels! Chelsea 2-2 Leeds United

91' Match Event for Chelsea vs Leeds United

94' How could Palmer miss this chance!?

Line-ups

Chelsea XI: Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah, Robert Sánchez, Cole Palmer, João Pedro, Enzo, Caicedo, Gusto, Andrey Santos, Josh Acheampong, Estêvão

Subs: Pedro Neto, Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, Garnacho, Liam Delap, Teddy Sharman-Lowe, Mamadou Sarr, Jorrel Hato, Guiu

Leeds United XI: Darlow, Nmecha, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Justin, Joe Rodon, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Ampadu, Jayden Bogle, Jaka Bijol, Ilia Gruev, Brenden Aaronson

Subs: Byram, Daniel James, Lucas Perri, Joël Piroe, Okafor, Sean Longstaff, Ao Tanaka, Wilfried Gnonto, Facundo Buonanotte