Amongst the grins and buoyant atmosphere, there was a real sense leaving Elland Road on Sunday afternoon that the demolition of Chelsea was the result, the performance that Leeds United fans had been waiting for. Not just a performance we have been waiting for since Jesse Marsch took over the reins, but one we have waiting nearly twenty years for. It was December 2002 when James Milner’s goal secured Leeds United’s last win against a top four side in front of a crowd at Elland Road and you could feel it inside the ground.
Sure, there were fantastic moments under Marcelo Bielsa, the Argentinian gave us three of the best seasons supporting Leeds United in my lifetime, but the best moments were stolen from us by the pandemic and lockdown. We missed the Championship run-in, we missed battering Fulham and Stoke, and we missed lifting the trophy against Charlton. The first season back in the Premier League gave us some truly memorable moments but they were all behind closed doors. Many of the greatest were on the road but we missed the boys holding their own against Manchester City and Liverpool and we missed Dallas, Bamford, and Rodrigo putting Spurs to the sword.
Last season the crowds returned but there was little to get excited about. It felt like after all those years Leeds United may slip back down into the Championship without the fans witnessing us giving it a real go in the Premier League. It was October, seven games in before we saw our first win and the fans would go on to see only three more victories at Elland Road that season. Pastings on the other hand, were all too common; a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool, 4-0 against Spurs, 4-0 to Man City and a 3-0 capitulation to Chelsea were all too fresh in the memory.
But that changed on Sunday, after twenty-two minutes Illan Meslier tipped a shot from Mason Mount round the bar and from that moment on, Leeds were in the ascendancy. The player’s energy, drive and aggression were matched by the crowd as Elland Road sang as one. Just eleven minutes later with the relentless Brenden Aaronson baring down at him and the vociferous South Stand on his back, Édouard Mendy fluffed his lines. The USA international didn’t need a second invitation to stick the ball in the back of the net for his first (official) Premier League goal. Cue limbs in the North, South, East and even West sides of Elland Road.
Just four minutes later the celebrations were even wilder as Rodrigo headed home Jack Harrison’s free-kick to double Leeds United’s lead before the break. Despite Thomas Tuchel’s spoilt whining, Leeds were well on top and in what could have been a nervy second half, the game was put to bed with just over twenty minutes to go as Jack Harrison bagged one for himself. The day was rounded off with Koulibaly’s red card, the crown united in their chorus of “Time to go” as Joe Gelhardt sniggered as the £35 million centre-back departed the field.
I don’t think Elland Road has felt that vociferous, that loud for a good few years. All 33,000 Leeds United were united in their passion for their team and their hatred of Chelsea. When Elland Road is rocking it really is one of the greatest stadiums to watch football at in the world. As the final whistle was blown the crowd departed, hugging, and rejoicing at the fantastic display. Whilst the performance may have been vindication for Jesse Marsch and his approach it was also the culmination of the last four years of progress at the club and reward to the fans for missing the best moments of that period.
Twenty years Leeds fans have waited to have their moment against a top side at Elland road in the Premier League and we absolutely battered Chelsea!
