Chelsea beat Arsenal by four points in the Champions League race after beating Leeds 10 men 3-0 in a Premier League match at Island Road on Wednesday evening.
The Blues led Arsenal by a point in the match and knew only too well that only a win could keep their dreams alive.
Thomas Tuchel’s players got off to a perfect start as Mason Mount gave them the lead within three minutes, firing beautifully past the goalkeeper into the top corner.
What an end, Mason Mount. 🔥pic.twitter.com/biql7OiJEg
– LDN (LDNFootbalI) May 11, 2022
Just as in their last game against Arsenal, Leeds were reduced to 10 men in the 24th minute when Daniel James was shown a straight red card after a violent tackle on Mateo Kovacic.
The Croatian was replaced minutes later by Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Chelsea thought they scored a second goal just half an hour later when Romelu Lukaku netted beautifully, but his attempt was called off for offside.
Two minutes later, Lukaku came within inches of scoring, but his lightning header could not find the target as the hosts escaped again.
Ilan Mesler had to use his skills just before the break and denied Pulisic from close range, although the goal, should he score, would not have been able to stand with the flag high moments later.
After 10 minutes into the second half, the Blues doubled their lead with a beautiful goal for the team, starting from the midfield before Pulisic found the bottom right corner with a left-hand end.
Lukaku, Mount and Pulisic all came close to scoring the third goal as the match continued, but the goal never reached until the 85th minute.
Lukaku made a superb solo run and pulled the trigger from inside the penalty area, beating Meslier with a shot from under the bar.
The win brings the Blues closer to winning the Champions League ticket with only two matches remaining.
Arsenal’s victory over Tottenham on Thursday evening will confirm the Blues’ participation in the next season’s championship before they play their next match against Leicester.
