Chelsea 2-2 Leeds: Liam Rosenior’s side collapse at Stamford Bridge as shambolic defensive errors see two-goal lead slip – and Cole Palmer storms off after miss of the season contender

When Moises Caicedo concedes a careless penalty by fouling Jayden Bogle for Leeds United to halve their deficit through Lukas Nmecha.

When several culprits are involved in Chelsea leaking the clumsiest goal seen at Stamford Bridge for some time for Noah Okafor’s leveller.

When Cole Palmer has an open goal from three yards with 93:51 on the clock and he sends the ball up and over and into the Matthew Harding Stand.

The temptation from a Chelsea perspective may be to blame this on the footballing Gods conspiring against them – that this was never meant to be their night.

The reality is they did this to themselves after Liam Rosenior’s tactics left them in an excellent position to make it five for five under him in the Premier League, and they were punished by a spirited Leeds side who simply refuse to say die under Daniel Farke.

Because it was so extraordinary, Palmer’s opportunity at the death will be remembered most from this match. The worst miss seen this season? It is tough to think of another as remarkable in the Premier League, not least because it was Palmer behind it.

Leeds were able to equalise via a shambolic run of events in their hosts’ penalty area

Caicedo’s ball through the box came at Palmer fast, but even watching back the replays, you are still waiting for him to tap it in rather than sky it. The 23-year-old Englishman was devastated at full-time. Opta reckon it was a chance worth 0.87xG while Rosenior described it as a ‘one-in-a-thousand moment’. We are inclined to side with the Chelsea head coach’s odds given the identity of the man who missed.

Leeds’ travelling spirit 

Trailing 2-0 at Stamford Bridge and what did the away supporters do? They sang on. About marching on together. About being Leeds until they die. About Chelsea fans not singing.

They were rewarded for their loyalty, even if fortunate that Chelsea somewhat facilitated their comeback. It was in the reverse fixture at Elland Road that Farke, under pressure at the time, changed his tactical system and won 3-1 to kickstart this wonderful run they are on.

The spirit shown here was admirable, and if they end up surviving relegation this season, they will look back on these contests with Chelsea as a significant reason why.

Another defensive howler in blue 

Rosenior and his analysts will need to dissect the Leeds equaliser to see how and why they conceded such a calamitous goal, and it will not make for enjoyable viewing.

It started with Leeds sending a lofted ball towards the final third which appeared harmless enough. However, it was from here that we could press play on the Benny Hill theme music.

Loyal Leeds fans who had made the midweek trip down from Yorkshire were rewarded for their full-throated support

Andrey Santos was well-placed in one of Liam Rosenior’s intricate set-ups to provide the build-up for the opening goal

Trevoh Chalobah stretched to divert the dropping ball, but he did not. Caicedo tried to tackle, but he did not. Josh Acheampong looked like he had the chance to clear after wrestling with Bogle, but he did not. Robert Sanchez came barging in to try to grab the ball, but he did not. Instead, Sanchez only left his goal vacant for Okafor to tap in the equalise.

VAR studied whether there was a handball from Bogle in the build-up, but they decided not to spare Chelsea’s blushes. Add all that together and it amounted to one almighty collapse from Rosenior’s side, this coming after a January transfer window when they did not bring in a central defender despite making no secret that they were in the market for one.

Chelsea have now dropped 17 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season – and 15 of those have come at home. Their ability to perform for a full 90 remains an enormous problem which Rosenior must solve, even if Palmer should have won this at the death.