CHAMPS & CHUMPS
De Bruyne hits FOUR and City 4pts from title James horror tackle sends Leeds closer to the drop
KEVIN DE BRUYNE fired Manchester City a big step closer to the Premier League title by scoring four goals in a 5-1 triumph at Wolves.
De Bruyne hit three in the first 24 minutes as City moved three points clear of Liverpool. now they need just four more to retain their crown.
‘He has become prolific,’ manager Pep Guardiola said of the Belgian. ‘Maybe it’s his greatest year.’
At the other end of the table, it was another night of calamity and shame for Leeds as they had Daniel James sent off in the first half of a 3-0 home defeat by Chelsea. James’s moment of madness — a dangerous high tackle on Mateo Kovacic — was every bit as bad as skipper Luke Ayling’s foul for his red card at Arsenal on Sunday. Leeds have now received 100 cards this season, a Premier League record.
‘i’m gutted. it is deja vu from the Arsenal game,’ said boss Jesse Marsch. ‘Two tackles in the last two games crossed the line and hurt the team.’
IN a relegation fight there is a need for aggression and competitiveness. But there is also a requirement for self-control and calm. Leeds currently have the balance of that equation hopelessly wrong and it threatens to drag them all the way into the Championship.
Leeds, managed by their American coach Jesse Marsch, are like a greenhorn heavyweight boxer, too full of adrenaline and nerves. All their energy is spent in the wrong places and on the wrong things.
Here, in front of an admirably supportive home crowd that is nevertheless beginning to fear the worst, they imploded in much the same fashion as they did in losing at Arsenal at the weekend.
Bad tackles, bad goals and red cards. It’s a catastrophic combination and Leeds, without a shot on target all night here, now have just two games left in which to try to save themselves.
Chelsea were impressive in dealing with what was in front of them. England duo Mason Mount and
Reece James were particularly good to watch. But there are some opponents in sport who seem intent on beating themselves from the outset and Leeds are currently in that category.
A run of games that saw them face Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea in a week and a half was always going to be difficult. Even a mug punter would have predicted three defeats.
But there are ways of playing when your back is against the wall and there is indeed a way of losing. Right now, Marsch and Leeds are placing ticks in all the wrong boxes and, as was the case at Arsenal, this was a game that began badly and ended with no straws left to clutch.
Leeds were not so much beaten as swept aside and it is the psychological damage of the last 11 days that Marsch has to repair before Brighton come to Elland Road on Sunday.
Here, Marsch didn’t exactly help himself. The 48-year-old had raised eyebrows on Tuesday by reeling off the list of historical figures from whom he has borrowed what he believes to be inspirational quotes.
That kind of stuff only really washes if you are winning and here it was his team selection that spoke volumes. He handed 19-year-old midfielder Lewis Bate a first league start and played the Brazilian forward Raphinha at wing-back.
It all looked rather desperate and certainly felt that way after half an hour. By then Leeds, in desperate need of early security, were a goal and a man down.
Chelsea were sharp from the first minute, as though sensing opportunity. Their need was also great, having lost their way recently, and their first goal really was lovely.
Mount was involved as the play was spread across the field to the Chelsea right and when James pulled the ball back to the England midfielder at the top of the penalty area, he swept it first time high to Illan Meslier’s left and into the top corner. With only four minutes gone, Leeds were already drowning. A low Mount cross from the right was only inches ahead of Romelu Lukaku while another Mount shot was deflected wide.
Then, in the 34th minute, James crossed neatly for Lukaku who glanced a header an inch or so beyond the back post.
By this time Leeds were down to 10 men. Once again mirror images of the Arsenal game — in which captain Luke Ayling was sent off — were available.
The home fans, desperate for something other than their own team’s failings to chew on, were quick to blame referee Anthony Taylor for his decision to show Daniel James a red card.
But the Welshman’s tackle on Mateo Kovacic was wild and reckless. He did make a passing contact with the ball but the follow-through on to the Croat’s shin could have left serious damage. So James walked and, not long after, Kovacic also left the pitch, unable to shake off the effects of the assault on his lower leg. Leeds attempted to rally and their supporters, waving their white scarves above their heads, tried to help them.
But this is a Leeds team without a focal point in the absence of striker Patrick Bamford and they quite simply never looked like hurting Chelsea.
The second goal didn’t arrive until the 55th minute but again it was easy on the eye. Mount’s flicked lay-off to Christian Pulisic spoke of intelligence and vision while the low finish to Meslier’s right was accurate and firm.
Then, with seven minutes left, came the third. Leeds defender Diego Llorente dallied, Ruben Loftus-Cheek robbed him and fed Hakim Ziyech and when he passed inside to Lukaku, the Belgian made rather a fuss of scoring his third goal in two Premier League games.
This was a big win for Chelsea who will qualify for next season’s Champions League if Tottenham fail to beat Arsenal tonight.
It was, however, an even bigger defeat for Leeds. If they are to save themselves, they simply must find a way to clear their heads.
THOMAS TUCHEL admits it will take a ‘miracle’ for Mateo Kovacic to be fit for Saturday’s FA Cup final after he hobbled off with an ankle injury following Dan James’s horror tackle. Leeds winger James was sent off for his 24th-minute studs-up lunge at the Chelsea midfielder, who had to be replaced by Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Asked if Kovacic would be available for the Wembley final against Liverpool, Blues boss Tuchel said: ‘It is very unlikely. Mateo went off and he never goes off. He has a swollen ankle and is in a lot of pain. ‘I am not a doctor and we need to wait for the examinations, but it is very unlikely he can play. It is bad news for us. ‘If he misses it, I am very disappointed because he was a clear starter. He is a key figure for us in midfield. ‘He is super, super hungry and determined and excited to play these matches and of course he is in fear he will miss it. Maybe we’ll have a miracle.’ On James’s tackle, Tuchel added: ‘I’m not good at looking at these situations because it hurts me to watch it, but everybody tells me it’s a clear red card.’ Kovacic’s injury blighted what was otherwise perfect preparation for the final for Chelsea, who had drawn two and lost one of their previous three Premier League games.