What a great night at Elland Road with the fans becoming the 12th man seeing us get that win that we so needed. Also, it’s lovely to have fans come up to me telling me they value my opinion so thank you. As I said, going out and battling makes such a difference and I do feel the different formation as we had for the second half at Man City, made the difference.

After seeing the 92 Legends on Sunday at the Holbeck, the first part of the week started anxiously for us as a family as my baby granddaughter had her operation as well my son-in-law his. Although both were planned operations, until they were both back at home safely, it was hard not to worry. Whilst taking one step forward, I then took two steps backwards with some personal health issues which sent me into a lot of stress and a downward spiral.

Thank you to those for their support which helped tremendously plus knowing I was going to Elland Road was also a boost.

Team:  Perri, Ampadu, Rodon, Gudmundsson, Bogle, Struijk, Bijol, Tanaka, Stach, Calvert-Lewin, Nmecha

Subs:  Okafor for Nmecha (67), Gruev for Tanaka (67), Justin for Bogle (86), Piroe for Calvert-Lewin (86), Bornauw for Gudmundsson (90+4).

Subs not used: Darlow, Gnonto, Harrison, Aaronson

Leeds won the game 3-1 with goals from Bijol (6), Tanaka (43), Calvert-Lewin (72)

Attendance:  36,767 with approx. 3,000 Chealsea fans

Referee: Darren England

Booked:  Stach

Leeds took a deserved early lead when Bijol sent a powerful header into the net from a Stach corner in the 6th minute with Struijk coming near to scoring as Leeds continued to attack, limiting Chelsea to possession and few attacks. Although we had the majority of play in the first half, it was a wonder goal from Tanaka from the edge of the box in the 43rd minute after a great pass from Bogle after Nmecha won the ball back, that increased our lead just before the break. It had been a great first half performance from the team as we went in two goals in front of the visitors.

The second half saw Leeds nearly increase their lead with Nmecha’s shot parried by their keeper. Chelsea pulled a goal back when they got the better of Bogle and crossed the ball, evading Gudmundsson, at far post. Their player controlled the ball with his right and hit the ball into the net with his left. They had another attack shortly afterwards where we started to think it was going to be another game of two halves. Thankfully we withstood the attacks and Elland Road erupted when Nmecha hit a great shot into the net only for VAR to chalk it off for offside against Calvert-Lewin. Leeds were not going to be denied their third goal as Okafor kept running in the penalty area, taking the ball off the feet of their defender and as the keeper tried to get it, the ball went under him for Calvert-Lewin to hit the ball into an empty net. Elland Road really did erupt this time, and we kept the two-goal lead to give us a well-deserved victory to climb out of the relegation zone. 

There is still a long way to go, but it shows that with the right formation and attitude then anything is possible. As I’ve already said in previous blogs, don’t go onto the pitch expecting to get beat as you don’t stand a chance. As today proved, anyone can get beaten on the day.

There were some technical issues with my website this week which have now been resolved, but we have added three further prizes to the Billy Bremner raffle. Details can be found on both the buttons below, where you can donate to the statue appeal too.

Please support our raffle with all profits raising funds for a statue of our greatest ever captain in his hometown of Raploch, Stirling.

See you Saturday for our second home game in a week with Liverpool the visitors. 

LUFC - Marching on Together!