PLAYER RATINGS: Joao Felix impresses again as Wesley Fofana grabs the winner

Chelsea stopped the rot for Graham Potter, albeit perhaps temporarily, with a 1-0 victory over Leeds at Stamford Bridge. 

The Blues had only scored once in their previous six games going into the clash with Javi Gracia’s side, but Wesley Fofana’s goal eight minutes after the restart ensured the pressure was lifted somewhat. 

Winning their first game for well over a month, Stamford Bridge reacted with more warmth than in recent times to Potter and his side. 

Leeds, meanwhile, were plunged into further peril by the result which leaves them in 17th, just one point clear of Everton in 18th. 

Gerry Cox offers his ratings and assessments of each of the players from Stamford Bridge.  

Wesley Fofana's goal ensured some of the mounting pressure was alleviate on Graham Potter

Wesley Fofana’s goal ensured some of the mounting pressure was alleviate on Graham Potter

Chelsea 3-4-3

Kepa Arrizabalaga: Little to do in terms of saves until late in the game as Leeds tried to fight back. Made two saves in stoppage time, one a shot from Joseph, the other a header from his opposite number Meslier. 7

Wes Fofana: Scored the winner with his first ever Premier League goal, a towering header in the 53rd minute . Had earlier headed over another Chilwell corner over in the 12th minute. Booked for a high tackled on Summerville before half-time. 7

Kalidou Koulibaly: Commanding performance in the centre of back three. Two important tackles in the early stages. Great forward pass to set up an early chance for Chilwell, and blocked a goalbound shot from Aronson. 7

Benoit Badiashile: Recalled on the left of the back three. Gave the ball away early on but recovered his composure and made some important interceptions. 6

Benoit Badiashile recovered well from an early mistake to regain his composure for Chelsea

Benoit Badiashile recovered well from an early mistake to regain his composure for Chelsea

Ruben Loftus-Cheek: Right wing-back in place of the injured Reece James but nothing like the same threat going forward as his England colleague. Replaced by Chalobah late on. 6

Mateo Kovacic: Captain in place of the injured Thiago Silva and Azpilicueta. Busy as usual in the heart of midfield before being replaced for the final 15 minutes 7

Enzo Fernandez: Fired one shot from 25 yards straight at Meslier. Curled a free-kick over the bar after half-time. Battled away in midfield but still yet to show why he is Britain’s most expensive player 7

Ben Chilwell: Got forward well. Spoken to for an early foul and booked in stoppage time. Denied one goal by a great tackle from Koch, then volleyed wide when clean through before half-time. 7

Raheem Sterling: Put Havertz clear after a surging run early on and then crossed for Felix to shoot against the bar. Shot over after a quick break on the hour mark, but replaced soon afterwards 6

Kai Havertz: Missed a great chance to open the scoring in the 15th minute, when Meslier saved from close range, though the German’s shot lacked conviction. Kept plugging away without much of goal threat. 6

Joao Felix: Started on the left but moved inside and inluenrial all over the pitch. So unlucky with a 22nd minute volley that hit the bar but always involved in Chelsea’s best move until he was replaced by Gallagher on 68 minutes. 8

Joao Felix was brilliant again for Chelsea - they must harbour dreams of signing him permanently

Joao Felix was brilliant again for Chelsea – they must harbour dreams of signing him permanently 

Chelsea subs

Conor Gallagher for Felix 68′: Brought much-needed energy to midfield 7

Denis Zakaria for Sterling 68′: Helped Chelsea close out the game 6

Carney Chukwuemeka for Kovacic 75′: Replaced the tiring Kovacic to see out victory 6

Chukwunonso Madueke for Fernandez 84′: One thrilling run in the closing minutes. 6

Trevoh Chalobah for Loftus Cheek 84′: Good tackle on Gnonto as Leeds pressed for an equaliser 6

Chelsea coach: Graham Potter – No complaints from supporters this week after his side finally scored and won. Good use of substitutions to protect Chelsea’s lead 7

Chelsea boss Graham Potter saw the mounting pressure on his shoulders alleviated somewhat

Chelsea boss Graham Potter saw the mounting pressure on his shoulders alleviated somewhat

Leeds United 4-2-3-1

Ilian Meslier: Spilled an early free-kick. Great one-handed save to deny Havertz from close range in the 15th minute and then saved a Fernandez shot comfortably. No chance with Fofana’s goal. Went up for a stoppage time corner and his header was saved. 7

Luke Ayling: Looked uncomfortable with Chilwell’s attacking threat at first, but grew into the game and helped Leeds in attack, too. Put a late header wide. 6

Robin Koch: Brilliant tackle to deny Chilwell when he was through on goal in the 24th minute. Solid for most of the game and made another good tackle to deny Gallagher in the closing stages 6

Robin Koch put in a brilliant challenge to deny Ben Chilwell and was otherwise solid for most of the game

Robin Koch put in a brilliant challenge to deny Ben Chilwell and was otherwise solid for most of the game

Max Wober: Up against Havertz, defended well throughout. Conceded unnecessary free-kick by fouling Sterling early in the second half, but cannot be faulted. 6

Junior Firpo: Had his hands full with Sterling on Chelsea’s right, but looked increasingly comfortable and joined in the Leeds attack, as well as making some vital tackles. 7

Weston McKennie: Solid game at the heart of the Leeds midfield, breaking up attacks and launching counters. Put a free-kick over the bar. Outjumped by Fofana when he scored the winner. 6

Weston McKennie was solid in the heart of the Leeds midfield up against Chelsea's expensively assembled midfielders

Weston McKennie was solid in the heart of the Leeds midfield up against Chelsea’s expensively assembled midfielders

Tyler Adams: Linked well with fellow American McKennie in the Leeds midfield. Good battle against Fernandez and Kovacic. One shot curled over the bar early in the second half. 6

Crysencia Summerville: In for Gnonto, caused Chelsea problems by his trickery at pace, and won free-kicks after being fouled by Fofana, Badiashile and Koulibaly in a spell before half-time. 7

Brenden Aaronson: Lively and caused Chelsea problems as a number ten. Denied by a last-ditch tackle from Koulibaly before half-time, who also blocked one of his shots. Defended well, too, when he needed to. 6

Jack Harrison: Curled a free-kick high over the bar before half-time. Involved a lot more in the second half but his final ball was not good enough. Replaced by Greenwood. 6

Georginio Rutter: In for Bamford, he looked lively and headed over an early cross from Ayling. Put Aaronson in with a smart pass before half-time. Replaced by Gnonto after 68 minutes. 6

Leeds struggle to score goals like most of the sides around them and again struggled to put the ball in the back of the net

Leeds struggle to score goals like most of the sides around them and again struggled to put the ball in the back of the net

Leeds subs: 

Joseph for Rutter 68′: Went close from a corner and had low shot saved in stoppage time 6

Wilfried Gnonto for Aaronson 68′: Caused Chelsea problems with his dribbling and goal threat 6

Sam Greenwood for Harrison 80′: Little time to make an impact 6

Leeds coach 

Javi Gracia – A picture of frustration on the touchline, the former Watford coach saw his side do ev everything except score. 6

Javi Gracia was a picture of frustration on the touchline as his side did everything but score

Referee  

Michael Oliver let the game flow and had no major controversies to deal with. 7

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