Frustrated Bielsa names two key reasons why Leeds deserved draw
Marcelo Bielsa was left frustrated but felt his Leeds United side rose to the occasion and played a full part in a 3-2 defeat to Chelsea.
The Whites were unbeaten in three top-flight games heading into the Stamford Bridge encounter. But they left London with nothing to show for their efforts. Raphinha had given the hosts a 28th-minute lead from the penalty spot.
But it was 1-1 at the break as Mason Mount restored parity. Jorginho then nudged the Blues in front from the penalty spot in the 58th minute.
Substitute Joe Gelhardt seemed to have earned the visitors a point when he notched seven minutes from time. However, Jorginho ensured Thomas Tuchel’s side claimed the spoils with a second spot kick four minutes into stoppage time.
Pressure is mounting on Bielsa at the Elland Road outfit. And the Argentinian felt his side should have taken a point from the clash.
“It was a game we deserved to draw and we lost it when it was finishing. That increases the disappointment,” he told BBC Sport.
Chelsea sit third in the table while Leeds are down in 15th position. Bielsa always felt his charges would be in for a tough day.
But he believes they were able to thwart the opposition while also putting pressure on the Blues goal.
“It is very difficult to make a team like Chelsea play worse. It is also very difficult to attack a team like this,” he added. “In a way we managed to achieve both things. We could attack and we managed to make them not play as well as they can do.”
Bielsa plays down post-match scuffle
A few players squared up to each other after the final whistle. There is a history between the two clubs but the manager felt it was nothing.
“It was a minor episode without importance. Of course we always prefer that not to happen, but I don’t assign any gravity to it,” he added. “The emotional weight of the game was very big, it was a beautiful game full of emotions.
“Sometime when that happens the passion goes overboard. I thought it was all within the limits that are tolerable.”
The Chelsea clash was the first of a number of tricky games for Leeds. Next up is a trip to the Etihad to take on Manchester City before Arsenal visit West Yorkshire.
Bielsa will then take his men to Anfield for a showdown with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool on Boxing Day.
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