Player ratings

Leeds United 0-0 Chelsea: Player ratings as gritty stalemate sees points shared

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Leeds United and Chelsea played out a stalemate at Elland Road as the game ended 0-0 with neither team asserting their dominance.

The Whites faced a Chelsea side in formidable form this Saturday lunchtime, as they are yet to taste defeat under new manager Thomas Tuchel.

That unbeaten run was extended to 12 games thanks to a 0-0 draw where neither side really had any clear-cut chances, but did both strike the woodwork.

It was a point earned for Leeds in their quest to ensure their Premier League status and a defensive performance to be proud of after such criticism this season.

Here, we deliver our player ratings from Elland Road…

Illan Meslier – 8

Typically assured distribution from the youngster and was commanding from crosses, despite the BT Sport hatchet job before the game.

Proving a lot of doubters wrong every week and another clean sheet to add to his impressive tally.

Luke Ayling – 7

Solid performance and snuffed out any of the threat posed by Chelsea’s left-flank.

Didn’t get much momentum in an attacking sense but constantly found solid angles to play passes in behind Chelsea’s high line.

Diego Llorente – 8

He’s proving to be a very astute addition to the side and showing why he’s a Spain international.

Confident on the ball and reads the game very well to stop the supply to the Blues’ dangerous front trio.

Pascal Struijk – 8

No coincidence that Struijk returns and the Whites keep a clean sheet.

It’s unfortunate that Liam Cooper had to miss out but we’re seeing a centre-back with incredible potential, and shows the same levels of calmness defending and in possession.

Gjanni Alioski – 5

He frightens the life out of us with some of his defending but managed to do just enough to stop Christian Pulisic and then Reece James.

Dallas at left-back next week, please.

Kalvin Phillips – 8

Man-marked Hakim Ziyech completely out of the game to the point where the Chelsea star barely touched the ball.

Didn’t do an awful lot with his passing but in a gritty game of little quality, he was great at the heart of the midfield.

Raphinha – 6

Quiet from the Brazilian.

He’s not going to set every game alight and had to be patient to get his chance to shine today, but a solid Tuchel setup thwarted him today.

Could haver scored if not for a strong save from his former Rennes teammate Mendy in the second half.

Tyler Roberts – 8

The BT Man of the Match and rightly so.

Roberts was the best player on the pitch and came closest to scoring when his superb curling effort was tipped onto the crossbar in the first half.

It’s far closer to the type of performance we want from him in the final third, we just need to see an end-product to go with what was some marvellous movement and graft today.

Stuart Dallas – 7

Incredible that a Championship left-winger has become a very, very solid Premier League left-back and central midfielder.

There aren’t many players in England who could do what he’s doing at the same standard he is at the moment.

Jack Harrison – 5

He was rightly hooked in the second half after a very quiet outing.

Chelsea’s formation got the better of him as it has done with most wingers they’ve faced this season.

One very good cross towards Bamford in the first-half was cleared, denying an easy header.

Patrick Bamford – 5

A low rating only on the basis that he struggled even before he was forced off.

A really frustrating one to take for Bamford against his old employers, but did show some sharpness to break their high line.

Subs

Rodrigo – 4

Subbed on, couldn’t do the running, subbed off.

It wasn’t good from the Spaniard, but you can tell he’s still not up to speed after injury and needs time to get to the required level.

Helder Costa – 6

Lively in his cameo and much like Roberts, Costa is playing like he’s got a point to prove and he’s doing that very well at the minute.

Mateusz Klich – N/a

Came on with little chance to influence, was just part of the aggressive pressing as Leeds looked to hold on for the point.

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Leeds United season ticket holder since 2013/14, currently situated in the middle of the FA5 noise. From Pablo Hernandez to 5-1 drubbings, I've seen it all at Elland Road.