Chelsea win to give Potter a much needed lifeline

• Wesley Fofana’s header in the second half gave Chelsea a 1-0 victory over Leeds United in the Premier League
• The home team was under intense pressure to perform well since Graham Potter’s future as the squad’s head coach was being questioned

At Stamford Bridge on Saturday, Wesley Fofana’s header in the second half gave Chelsea a 1-0 victory over Leeds United in the Premier League.

The home team was under intense pressure to perform well since Graham Potter’s future as the squad’s head coach was being questioned.

How the game unfolded

Chelsea was under intense pressure to perform well since Graham Potter’s future as the squad’s head coach was being questioned. |PHOTO: Sky Sports|

In the 15th minute of the game, Kai Havertz had a wonderful opportunity to give Chelsea the lead, but the German international was unable to beat Illan Meslier, the goalkeeper for Leeds United.

In the 22nd minute, the home team had another opportunity to score when Joao Felix struck the post following a Raheem Sterling cross and Enzo Fernandez missed the crossbar with the rebound.

Leeds didn’t get a sight at Chelsea’s goal until the 31st minute when Brenden Aaronson’s shot hit Kalidou Koulibaly before landing in Kepa Arrizabalaga’s arms.

In the 32nd minute, Ben Chilwell missed a chance down the other end as Potter’s team dominated the first 45 minutes of the match at Stamford Bridge.

There were also faint boos from a few of the home team’s fans as the two teams proceeded down the tunnel with the score at 0-0.

The second half

Wesley Fofana’s header in the second half gave Chelsea a 1-0 victory over Leeds United.|PHOTO: Sky Sports|

In the 53rd minute, Chelsea scored when Fofana rose to the highest point inside the Leeds area and headed a Chilwell corner into the goal.

Just before the hour, Tyler Adams of Leeds had a half-chance of their own when a corner was only partially cleared to him, but the midfielder’s shot was constantly soaring over the crossbar.

Following deft work from Luke Ayling in a wide position, Georginio Rutter saw a shot stopped by Kepa’s arms, as the visitors tried to look for a goal after falling behind 1-0.

Around the hour mark, the visitors continued to dominate, especially after Potter substituted wingers Sterling and Felix to reinforce the midfield.

Chelsea avoided some tense situations late on when Leeds goalkeeper Meslier headed a last-second opportunity straight at an appreciative Kepa.

Given the persistent rumours about Potter’s future, the victory—the first Chelsea’s in any competition since the middle of January—arrived just when Potter needed it.

What next?

The Blues will now turn their focus to the Champions League as they get ready to receive Borussia Dortmund at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday for the return leg of their last-16 encounter, trailing by a score of 1-0 from the first game in Germany.

Next Saturday, Potter’s team will resume league play away at Leicester City, while Leeds will resume their top-flight season the same day at home against Brighton & Hove Albion.