Leeds United suffered a dramatic FA Cup exit after throwing away a two goal lead to lose 6-3 to Chelsea, bringing their hopes of ending a long wait for major silverware to another disappointing conclusion.
Leeds appeared to be in control during the opening stages and took the lead in the 24th minute through Tarik Muharemovi■. Daniel James delivered a precise cross into the penalty area, and Muharemovi■ rose highest to head the ball into the net.
Daniel Farke’s side doubled their advantage shortly after the restart. Ethan Ampadu beat Morgan Rogers on the outside before pulling the ball back from the byline. Lukas Nmecha met the cross at the near post and produced a clever backward touch that took Maxence Lacroix out of the equation, leaving Brenden Aaronson with the opportunity to slot the ball into the bottom corner.
Chelsea were handed a route back into the game in the 52nd minute when the referee awarded a penalty after James was clipped inside the Leeds penalty area. Cole Palmer stepped up and confidently sent the ball past Leeds goalkeeper Jeroen Zetterer.
The comeback was completed just two minutes later, with Palmer once again at the centre of the action. Morgan Rogers received the ball from Josh Acheampong’s throw in before finding Palmer with a clever flick. The Chelsea forward collected possession and calmly curled a low effort beyond both Josip Šutalo and Zetterer and into the bottom corner.
Leeds were struggling to recover and Chelsea took full advantage of their collapse.
In the 60th minute, Palmer played a pass through the middle of the Leeds defence before Rogers carried the move forward and found Pedro Neto. The Portuguese winger finished the opportunity to put Chelsea 3-2 ahead.
Five minutes later, Chelsea extended their advantage. Rogers delivered a low cross into the penalty area, where Danny Welbeck worked his way past two Leeds defenders before firing the ball into the net.
Leeds refused to give up and reduced the deficit in the 75th minute. Noah Okafor found space before playing a precise pass into the path of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who finished past Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders to make it 5-3.
The goal briefly raised hopes of another comeback, but Chelsea quickly ended those hopes in stoppage time.
Valentín Barco’s effort from the edge of the penalty area was blocked, but the deflection fell to Welbeck, who headed the loose ball into the net to complete the scoring.
The 6-3 defeat represents Leeds United’s heaviest defensive collapse in three years. It is the first time the club have conceded six goals in a match since their 6-1 defeat to Liverpool in April 2023.
The result also extends Leeds’ wait for major silverware. Their most recent major trophy came in the 1991/92 season, when they won the First Division title.
For Leeds, the FA Cup represented another opportunity to make a deep run in a major competition, but the manner of their defeat to Chelsea will raise questions about their defensive organisation, particularly after surrendering a two goal lead.
Attention now turns back to the Premier League, with Leeds United set to face Newcastle United on Monday, 14 September.
After such a damaging FA Cup exit, Leeds will need to respond quickly when they return to league action.
