Ben Chilwell said Chelsea endured a tough afternoon away at Leeds United on Saturday, hailing goalkeeper Edouard Mendy for ensuring Thomas Tuchel’s side took a point from Elland Road.
The Blues are now unbeaten in 12 games under the former Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain boss, although their recent resurgence certainly came under threat in West Yorkshire.
Despite losing top scorer Patrick Bamford to injury, Leeds were typically tenacious against one of the Premier League’s bona fide big-hitters, flying forwards in numbers as they piled pressure on Tuchel’s well-drilled defence.
After 90 entertaining minutes, both sides had to settle for a point after Tyler Roberts clipped the bar and Mendy stood strong between the sticks.
And Chilwell admitted that a Chelsea side who have swept aside Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton recently found life difficult at Elland Road.
“Coming into the game people would have predicted goals,” explained Chilwell, the £50 million England international, in quotes reported by Chelsea’s website.
“The way Leeds play is pretty free-flowing and they are a difficult team to play against. They switch positions a lot on the pitch and it was a tough game.
“Leeds had a few chances but I think if you look at the chances we had, they were probably the better.
“We know that when it comes down to it we can rely on Edou (Mendy). Those one or two opportunities in a game when he has to concentrate and make a vital save, we know he is going to do that for us.”
After a run of seven defeats in 12 games, a hard-earned point against one of England’s form sides was a welcome response.
While mathematics are not coming into it just yet, Leeds have surely secured their place in the Premier League for another season.
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