Chelsea leave it late to beat Leeds in FA Cup fifth round.
Conor Gallagher with 90th-minute winner for lacklustre Blues
Mateo Joseph had scored brace for fearless visitors
The Blues’ hopes for silverware this season just about remained alive after playing poorly on home soil before scoring in the 90th minute to set up a sixth-round tie at home to Leicester City.
Daniel Farke’s side controlled much of the game and will feel hard done by not to have at least forced extra-time.
How the game unfolded
With eight minutes on the clock, Leeds went in front. A poor pass out from the back by Axel Disasi to Moises Caicedo was pounced upon by the alert Archie Gray, and Mateo Joseph was on hand to slot past a helpless Robert Sanchez.
But after a quarter of an hour, Chelsea pulled level. Moises Caicedo’s clever pass in behind the Leeds backline found the run of Nicolas Jackson, who fired past Illan Meslier from close range.
And just before the break, the hosts went ahead. Noni Madueke carried the ball through midfield and shifted play wide to Malo Gusto, who fed Raheem Sterling in behind and he in turn pulled it back for Mykhailo Mudryk to bury with ease.
Leeds spurned a great chance to equalise soon after when a well-worked free-kick routine fell to Dan James at the back post, but his half-volley ballooned over and Chelsea were let off the hook.
Jaidon Anthony then flashed a curling strike narrowly wide as Leeds went into the break a goal down.
After the restart, Leeds deservedly found themselves level once again. Gray did tremendously well to dribble his way out of trouble at the back before former Chelsea midfielder Ethan Ampadu switched play over to Anthony, and his pinpoint cross was nodded in by Joseph.
With the game heading into four minutes of added time, Chelsea snatched the victory. Enzo Fernandez drove his way into the final third and slipped in Conor Gallagher, who lifted his shot over Meslier to send the Blues into the sixth round.
