U21s Report: Leeds United 1-2 Chelsea

Leeds: Christy (GK), Moore (C) (Sutcliffe 86’), Ferguson, Debayo, Mullen, Crew, Carole (Snowdon 45’), Gyabi, Joseph (Thomas 86’), McGurk, Allen. Subs not used: Grainger (GK), Monteiro.

Chelsea: Beach (GK), Wilson, Gilchrist (C), Williams, Boniface (Duberry 67’), Rak-Sakyi, George, Tauriainen, Stutter, Castledine, Washington (Morgan 81’). Subs not used: Gee, Merrick, Akomeah.

Leeds United Under-21s battled hard against a talented Chelsea Under-21s side at the LNER Community Stadium in York, but lost by a single goal in what was an entertaining encounter.

It was first against second in this Premier League Cup Group D clash, after both teams had won their two opening games of the competition, defeating Colchester United and Luton Town.

From kick-off, the Blues were on the front foot and Brazilian forward Deivid Washington gave them an early lead. Tyrique George played a ball to the back post and found the former Santos forward, who fired home.

Leeds responded well and got on the attack themselves. Sean McGurk and Charlie Crew linked up well before the midfielder had an effort blocked, before McGurk then forced a save himself moments later.

With Leeds pushing for a leveller, Chelsea scored a second with an almost carbon-copy of the first. Again it was Washington who found the net at the back post, this time being played in by Leo Castledine.

Despite the two-goal deficit, the Whites were still in the game and creating chances. Charlie Allen forced Eddie Beach into a good save, with the ‘keeper then denying McGurk again before the interval.

In what had been a battling half from Michael Skubala’s side, they were unlucky to go in two behind in this Premier League Cup encounter.

Making a change at the interval, Joe Snowdon came on in place of Keenan Carole in a straight swap. The Blues remained unchanged.

After the visitors had started the first half the better of the two teams, it was Leeds who began well in the second. Allen went close, dragging an effort just wide after breaking into the box.

Harry Christy was then called into action and made a good save to deny Ronnie Sutter, before quickly going down the other end and seeing Snowdon curl narrowly over the bar.

The goal which Leeds had deserved did arrive with 15 minutes to play. Charlie Crew cleverly found McGurk, who composed himself before coming inside and curling into the top corner.

Final chances arrived in stoppage time. Darko Gyabi struck just over when well placed, whilst a goalmouth scramble from a set-play would see the final time that Leeds would be denied.

The whistle was blown and brought this Premier League Cup tie to a close, moving Chelsea onto nine points, whilst Leeds remain on six.