Jorginho’s stoppage-time penalty ensured Chelsea avoided conceding further ground in the Premier League title race with a dramatic victory over Leeds United at Stamford Bridge.
Teenager Joe Gelhardt, brought on as an 81st-minute substitute, appeared to have earned a late point for Leeds with his first touch – the 19-year-old sliding in to send Tyler Roberts’ low cross past Edouard Mendy.
In a hugely entertaining encounter featuring three converted penalties, Raphinha put the visitors ahead with the game’s first spot-kick after 28 minutes following Marcos Alonso’s mistimed challenge on Daniel James.
But Chelsea, knocked off top spot in the table following their 3-2 defeat by West Ham last weekend, fought back as Mason Mount met Alonso’s low cross with a first-time finish to restore parity before the interval.
Chelsea were awarded a penalty of their own before the hour mark after referee Chris Kavanagh reviewed Raphinha’s sliding challenge on Antonio Rudiger, allowing Jorginho to complete the turnaround.
Despite Gelhardt’s heroics, it was Jorginho who had the final say with another confident penalty after Mateusz Klich brought down Rudiger to deliver a victory that ensures third-placed Chelsea remain two points behind leaders Manchester City.
Champions City beat Wolves 1-0 earlier on Saturday, while Liverpool, in second, defeated Aston Villa by the same scoreline.
