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EPL PIX: Chelsea held to goalless draw at Leeds

Last updated on: March 13, 2021 20:57 IST

IMAGE: Leeds United's Rodrigo heads the ball as goalkeeper Illan Meslier attempts to punch it away during their English Premier League match against Chelsea at Elland Road in Leeds, on Saturday. Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Thomas Tuchel remains unbeaten after 12 matches as Chelsea manager, but his side's lack of firepower meant they had to settle for a goalless draw at Leeds United in the English Premier League on Saturday.

 

Chelsea remain in fourth place, and are two points off third-placed Leicester City who have a game in hand.

Leeds had an early effort from Tyler Roberts ruled out for offside and then Chelsea came close thanks to a mess-up in the Leeds defence. Luke Ayling blasted a clearance into team-mate Diego Llorente and the ball struck the bar before falling into the arms of keeper Illan Meslier.

Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy did well to tip a curling shot from Roberts against the bar and had to be on alert several times after the break.

Mendy quickly changed direction to keep out a Raphinha effort, and the Senegal international did well again to stop a Rodrigo header.

IMAGE: Chelsea striker Timo Werner is tackled by Ezgjan Alioski of Leeds United. Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Tuchel used Kai Havertz as his central striker but the German, although impressive in build-up play, was unable to make the most of the two half-chances that came his way.

"He is comfortable in high positions and he arrives in the box naturally. Normally he has good finishing and normally the chances he had are enough to score. But unfortunately not today," said Tuchel.

"We had enough chances to score. It was an OK game, sometimes it is hard to score. It was not so nice to play and the pitch is not in good condition - this is a factor.

"Our timing in the last 20 minutes - we need to be more clinical. We invest a lot against the ball so also we were tired when we arrived in good positions," he said.

Leeds have just one win in their last six games but are comfortable in 11th place although they will be concerned about forward Patrick Bamford, who had to go off injured 10 minutes before the break.

"We value the point a lot," said Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa.

"If there had to be a winner it wouldn't have been us. In the first half they established a difference in comparison to us. In the second half we were slightly better".

Source: REUTERS
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