Chelsea are back in action this evening for the first time since their loss to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final as they welcome Leeds United for the FA Cup fifth round.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side were stopped from winning their first piece of silverware under the Argentine after Virgil van Dijk’s extra-time header rocketed Liverpool to a 1-0 victory at Wembley. Now the Blues must shake off that heartbreak and look to progress further in the next domestic cup comptition.
The FA Cup could be Chelsea’s final opportunity to ensure European football next season – due to their poor Premier League form – but they’ll need to get past a hihg-flying Leeds side. The Championship club are challenging for promotion back to the top flight but will hope for a strong cup run to keep up their winning momentum.
Daniel Farke’s side are currently on a run of nine straight league wins and 12 matches unbeaten in all competitions meaning they should pose a threat to Chelsea who will still be feeling the effects of Sunday’s final.
Follow all the action below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
Chelsea vs Leeds LIVE
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Chelsea take on Leeds in the FA Cup fifth round, live on ITV4
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The Blues are playing their first match since losing the Carabao Cup final
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Leeds are second in the Championship and have not been beaten in 12 matches
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59’ GOAL! – Joseph nods in Leeds’ second goal (CHE 2-2 LEE)
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37’ GOAL! – Mudryk gets on the scoresheet with classy finish (CHE 2-1 LEE)
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15’ GOAL! – Jackson equalises with cool finish (CHE 1-1 LEE)
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8’ GOAL! – Joseph opens scoring after Disasi mistake (CHE 0-1 LEE)
Chelsea FC 2 – 2 Leeds United FC
Chelsea 2-2 Leeds
20:53 , Mike Jones
62 mins: Leeds are the team in control and looking the more likely of the two to score again. They win a corner that is swung in towards Ampadu. Caicedo manages to get it away and Chelsea’s press up the pitch is strong and forces Leeds to retreat.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-2 Leeds (Joseph, 59’)⚽️
20:51 , Mike Jones
59 mins: Game on!
Jaidon Anthony checks onto his right foot after bringing down a long aerial ball. He lifts a cross into the box and picks out Mateo Joseph who nods the ball back past Robert Sanchez to bring Leeds an equaliser!
Chelsea 2-1 Leeds
20:49 , Mike Jones
57 mins: Enzo Fernandez is pushed off the ball in the middle of the pitch and Junior Firpo sweeps forward.
He uses Jaidon Anthony on the left wing befor receiving the ball back and twisting it into the area. Archie Gray is fed possession but Leeds dally too long and Chelsea recover the ball before clearing their lines.
Chelsea 2-1 Leeds
20:46 , Mike Jones
54 mins: Nicolas Jackson is released into space on the inside left channel and carries the ball hurridly towards the box. He’s got Mykhailo Mudryk up with him but the striker can’t find the pass and Leeds work the ball clear.
Chelsea 2-1 Leeds
20:41 , Mike Jones
51 mins: Sterling tests out Roberts’ defensive qualities but the Leeds defender is up to the task and manages to lift a teasing ball into the middle of the pitch.
The Blues are still trying to put their stamp on the second half here.
Chelsea 2-1 Leeds
20:39 , Mike Jones
48 mins: Leeds start the second half on the front foot and come down the left wing. Junior Firpo whips in a cross with Daniel James as the waiting target in the middle.
Robert Sanchez steps off his line and plucks the ball out of the air.
Second half! Chelsea 2-1 Leeds
20:36 , Mike Jones
Leeds get the ball rolling to kick off the second half at Stamford Bridge. Can the visitors get themselves back into this game and make Chelsea work to reach the quarter-finals?
HT Chelsea 2-1 Leeds
20:30 , Mike Jones
Chelsea had more possession in that half, 67% compared to Leeds’ 33% but it was the visitors who created more shots (8). However, Chelsea’s chances were better with over half of their seven attempts finding the target.
Two of those were converted into goals but Nicolas Jackson and Mykhailo Mudryk. Who will dominate the second half?
HT Chelsea 2-1 Leeds
20:25 , Mike Jones
Half-time! Chelsea 2-1 Leeds
20:20 , Mike Jones
45+3 mins: The whistle goes to end the first half. Chelsea fought back well after conceding the opening goal and if things continue as they are the Blues will add a couple more goals before this match is done.
It’s hard work for Daniel Farke’s Leeds but they are creating opportunities and if they can equalise they’ll feel as though they can go on to win.
All to play for in the second half.
Chelsea 2-1 Leeds
20:17 , Mike Jones
45 mins: Three minutes of added time to play at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea 2-1 Leeds
20:16 , Mike Jones
43 mins: Close! Lovely work from Jaidon Anthony on the left wing. He sweeps forward before cutting into the box and checking to the right.
That opens up the goal for a curling shot but he sends it too wide of the far post.
Chelsea 2-1 Leeds
20:13 , Mike Jones
40 mins: Trevoh Chalobah is the first person to get booked tonight after a rash challenge. Leeds’ free kick is lifted into the penalty area where Liam Cooper manages to get it back to Joe Rodon.
He passes the ball off to Junior Firpo but his effort is wayward.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Leeds (Mudryk, 37’)⚽️
20:10 , Mike Jones
37 mins: Great goal!
Noni Madueke is given the ball in midfield and drives through the middle before feeding it outside to Malo Gusto. Gusto taps the ball into the box for Raheem Sterling who pulls it back to Mykhailo Mudryk.
The forward shoots first time and guides a lovely finish into the bottom corner. Chelsea lead!
Chelsea 1-1 Leeds
20:08 , Mike Jones
36 mins: Ouch!
Leeds transition really well and send bodies to aid the attack up the pitch. Roberts is one of them and receives the ball in space before deciding to shoot.
He nails the effort but Trevoh Chalobah takes the full force of it on the face and get the block in. That one will have hurt.
Chelsea 1-1 Leeds
20:06 , Mike Jones
34 mins: Chance!
Chelsea are starting to get on top in this match but they are still lacking some quality inside the final third. The cross comes in from the right and gets nodded down to Noni Madueke.
He gets the ball stuck under his own feet but still manages to create enough space to blaze a shot into the near side netting.
Chelsea 1-1 Leeds
20:04 , Mike Jones
31 mins: Mudryk drops into the centre of midfield to collect the ball then laces a fine pass over to the left dor Sterling who makes a great run into the box.
Connor Roberts spies the danger and gets back in time to turn the ball behind for a corner.
Chelsea 1-1 Leeds
20:00 , Mike Jones
28 mins: A Chelsea corner sees them execute what seems to be a training ground move. Mudryk pulls the ball out to the edge of the box where Noni Madueke blazes a first time shot high and wide.
Not a great effort that one.
Chelsea 1-1 Leeds
19:59 , Mike Jones
25 mins: Chelsea initiate a plan of chipping the ball up the pitch. They work it into the box for Mudryk who checks to the left and shoots forcing Meslier into a sharp save at the near post.
Chelsea 1-1 Leeds
19:55 , Mike Jones
22 mins: After Sterling wins the ball back inside his own half he sends the ball to Caicedo who threads one down the line to make Jackson work to recover it.
The forward does so and holds it up long enough for Sterling to then arrive in the box. Chelsea increase the pressure before rolling the ball back to Fernandez who shoots from range.
The effort bursts through the legs of the nearest defenders but Illan Meslier manages to cling onto the ball.
Chelsea 1-1 Leeds
19:52 , Mike Jones
19 mins: A cheap free kick is given away by Enzo Fernandez over to the right of his own penalty area. Leeds’ Jaidon Anthony whips the set piece into the box but Fernandez himself leaps into the air and nods it clear.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Leeds (Jackson, 15’)⚽️
19:48 , Mike Jones
15 mins: Chelsea attack down the right again with Nicolas Jackson driving the ball forward. He sends it across to Noni Madueke who lays it off to Moises Caicedo.
Caicedo threads the ball into the penalty area for Jackson’s run. The striker collects the ball then nestles a side-footed effort into the far bottom corner.
Chelsea are level!
Chelsea 0-1 Leeds
19:46 , Mike Jones
14 mins: Ethan Ampadu displays the growing confidence of Leeds United by collecting the ball and taking a shot just outside the penalty area.
His effort is blocked by Mykhailo Mudryk who then takes over and helps Chelsea sweep up the pitch.
Chelsea 0-1 Leeds
19:44 , Mike Jones
12 mins: Raheem Sterling receives the ball on the left wing and runs it into the box. His pass gets blocked but the ball comes back to him.
Sterling rolls it back to Enzo Fernandez who takes a shot from range but pulls it wide of the target.
GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Leeds (Joseph, 8’)⚽️
19:41 , Mike Jones
8 mins: Implosion from Chelsea!
They stupidly give the ball away inside their own penalty area trying to play out from the back. Axel Disasi is at fault with the shocking pass to Moises Caicedo.
Leeds square it to Mateo Joseph who curls a fine effort around Robert Sanchez to send Leeds ahead.
Chelsea 0-0 Leeds
19:39 , Mike Jones
6 mins: Chelsea are the ones controlling possession over these opening minutes with Leeds attempting to press high up the pitch. The Blues break down the right side and work the ball to Noni Madueke.
He weaves inside, rolls the ball onto his left-foot and tries to slip a pass to Mykhailo Mudryk only for the ball to get intercepted.
Chelsea 0-0 Leeds
19:34 , Mike Jones
3 mins: Alfie Gilchrist is almost caught early on by Daniel James bombing up the middle of the pitch. He cuts the ball back to his goalkeeper Robert Sanchez who manages to clear James despite the charge from the Leeds forward.
Kick off! Chelsea 0-0 Leeds
19:32 , Mike Jones
Chelsea get the ball rolling at Stamford Bridge and work it over to the right flank. The ball is flicked on for Nicolas Jackson but he is unable to keep it in play.
Chelsea vs Leeds
19:29 , Mike Jones
Here come the teams.
The players make their way onto the pitch ahead of this FA Cup tie. It should be a cracker, kick off is up next…
Chelsea want to win every competition says Pochettino
19:20 , Mike Jones
“Of course, we wanted to win the Carabao Cup, like we want to win the FA Cup, we want to win the Premier League, we want to win every competition,” said Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino.
“That is always the objective at the start of the season, but now the reality is to see if we can qualify to play in Europe next season. It is going to be tough, because of the circumstances and because of the reality.
“Our responsibility is always to match expectations, but the problem is when expectations and reality are not close. When they are close it is easy. We are working hard so that people trust in us, but we need to be patient because we are building in a different way to succeed and always it is about time.
“The owners arrived with the right intention and they want to build something different from the past, which we need to understand. We are part of this and want to move this project forward. We have ups and downs, but it is only the beginning.”
Chelsea vs Leeds
19:15 , Mike Jones
Enzo Fernandez scored in both of Chelsea’s FA Cup wins this season, netting in the third round against Preston and a fourth round replay at Aston Villa. The last player to score in each of the third, fourth, and fifth rounds of a single FA Cup campaign was for the club was Pedro in 2016/17.
Chelsea vs Leeds
19:10 , Mike Jones
Leeds United are looking to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2002/03. They have been eliminated from the competition three times at this stage since then including a 2-0 loss to Fulham last season.
Chelsea vs Leeds
19:05 , Mike Jones
Chelsea have progressed from 13 of their 15 FA Cup fifth round ties, failing only against Manchester City in 2013/14 and Manchester United in 2018/19.
The latter of which was their last home defeat in the FA Cup.
Mauricio Pochettino hits out at ‘annoying’ talk of Chelsea’s ‘billion-pound spending’
19:00 , Mike Jones
Mauricio Pochettino finds constant talk of Chelsea’s billion-pound spend tiresome and remains convinced his under-fire players will develop into “an amazing team”.
Blues boss Pochettino has overseen an underwhelming campaign since arriving at Stamford Bridge last summer and his expensively-assembled squad faced further criticism following Sunday’s Carabao Cup final loss to Liverpool.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville branded them “blue billion-pound bottle jobs” late in their 1-0 extra-time defeat to opponents deprived of a host of star names due to injury.
Mauricio Pochettino hits out at ‘annoying’ talk of Chelsea’s ‘billion-pound spending’
Chelsea vs Leeds
18:55 , Mike Jones
Leeds have lost their last six away games at Chelsea with each match coming in the Premier League between 2002 to 2023. The Whites’ last such win at Stamford Bridge was in December 1999 when they triumphed 2-0.
Chelsea vs Leeds
18:50 , Mike Jones
This will be the first FA Cup tie between Chelsea and Leeds United since the 1970 final, which the Blues won after a replay. Chelsea have never lost in eight previous FA Cup games against Leeds with five wins and three draws.
Chelsea vs Leeds
18:45 , Mike Jones
When Leeds were in the Premier League last season goals from Brenden Aaronson, Rodrigo and Jack Harrison earned the Whites a deserved three points at Elland Road as they romped to a 3-0 victory over Chelsea.
At Stamford Bridge it was Wesley Fofana’s header which separated the two sides and inflicted another away defeat on Leeds.
Jurgen Klopp defends Mauricio Pochettino and Chelsea from Gary Neville’s ‘bottle jobs’ tag
18:40 , Mike Jones
Jurgen Klopp has sprung to Chelsea’s defence by insisting they did not “bottle it” in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
Mauricio Pochettino’s team came in for heavy criticism after losing in extra time to a Liverpool side featuring the teenagers Bobby Clark, James McConnell and Jayden Danns and doing too little to win the game after Klopp brought on rookies.
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville branded the big spenders “blue billion-pound bottle jobs” but Klopp disagreed with that assessment.
Klopp defends Pochettino and Chelsea from Neville’s ‘bottle jobs’ tag
Chelsea vs Leeds team changes
18:36 , Mike Jones
Mauricio Pochettino makes five changes from the Chelsea team that started the Carabao Cup final with Robert Sanchez, Alfie Gilchrist, Trevoh Chalobah, Noni Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk all coming in.
For Leeds, Daniel Farke also makes five changes as Daniel James, Jaidon Anthony, Connor Roberts, Liam Cooper and Mateo Joseph are brought into the team.
Chelsea vs Leeds line-ups
18:30 , Mike Jones
Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Gilchrist, Disasi, Chalobah, Gusto, Madueke, Caicedo, Fernandez, Mudryk, Sterling, Jackson
Leeds XI: Meslier, Roberts, Rodon, Cooper, Firpo, Ampadu, Gray, Anthony, James, Piroe, Joseph
Chelsea’s route to the fifth round
18:25 , Mike Jones
Chelsea started their FA Cup campaign with a resounding 4-0 home win over Championship club Preston North End before being drawn against Aston Villa in the fourth round.
The first fixture with their Premier League opponents ended in a draw but the Blues ran out 3-1 winners at Villa Park thanks to goals from Conor Gallagher, Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez.
Leeds’ route to the fifth round
18:20 , Mike Jones
Leeds entered the FA cup in the third round and took on League One side Peterborough.
An Ethan Ampadu brace and Patrick Bamford’s wondergoal saw the Whites breeze into the next round before they were held to a home draw against Plymouth.
In the replay strikes from Wilfried Gnonto, Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and a Ryan Hardie own goal helped Daniel Farke’s side to a 4-1 victory after extra-time.
Gary Neville brands Chelsea ‘blue billion pound bottle jobs’ after late Carabao Cup heartbreak
18:15 , Mike Jones
Gary Neville wrote the headlines when he made a decisive statement in the aftermath of Virgil van Dijk’s winning goal for Liverpool against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final.
The game looked like it might go to penalties without a goal, just like the 2022 final had done between the two sides, but Liverpool’s captain and most experienced player timed his run perfectly to head home a Kostas Tsimikas corner with just three minutes of extra time remaining.
When the final whistle blew, Neville, proclaimed as co-commentator on Sky Sports: “(Jurgen) Klopp’s kids against the blue billion-pound bottlejobs”.
Gary Neville brands Chelsea ‘blue billion pound bottle jobs’ after Carabao Cup loss
Farke on balancing team selection for cup games
18:10 , Mike Jones
“Obviously once you’re in the crunch time period for promotion back to the Premier League then you have to keep this also a bit in mind.
“You have to make sure that in your decision-making you won’t do anything stupid and we won’t risk any players, especially because we head into such a busy period.
“But, nevertheless, we know that we will have an amazing travelling support again.
“It’s a spotlight game and everyone is focused on this game and we want to present ourselves in the best possible way, and also to get the best possible result.”
The match officials
18:05 , Mike Jones
Here’s the team who will be in charge of tonight’s match in London:
Officials:
Referee – David Coote
Assistant Referees – Timothy Wood, Craig Taylor
Fourth Official – Dean Whitestone
Video Assistant Referees – Graham Scott, Peter Bankes
Additional Video Assistant Referee – Edward Smart
Farke giving same priority to FA Cup as Championship promotion push
18:00 , Mike Jones
Leeds United travel to Stamford Bridge looking to continue their fine form against Premier League opponents this evening as they face Chelsea.
Ahead of the match, Leeds boss Daniel Farke gave his thoughts to the media and claimed that he is giving the FA Cup as much priority as the Championship.
“I’m a big believer and I’ve mentioned it several times,” he said, “Cup competitions and especially the FA Cup, it’s probably the cup competition with the biggest history in whole western Europe.
“I think it’s always important for us that it has more or less really the same value and the same priority like the league.
“We want to represent our club in the best possible way and also in the FA Cup.”
Mauricio Pochettino reveals message from Chelsea owners after Carabao Cup final defeat
17:55 , Mike Jones
Mauricio Pochettino is confident he retains the backing of Chelsea’s owners but conceded his future was out of his hands after defeat in the Carabao Cup final increased scrutiny of his position.
The under-fire Argentinian said he had supportive conversations with the club’s co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali following Sunday’s 1-0 extra-time loss to Liverpool.
Defeat at Wembley sparked further criticism of Pochettino and his expensively-assembled squad – including scathing comments from Gary Neville – as they failed to overcome inexperienced rivals who were missing a host of star names.
Mauricio Pochettino reveals message from Chelsea owners after Carabao Cup defeat
Chelsea vs Leeds prediction
17:50 , Mike Jones
This game certainly has all the makings of a cup upset but perhaps league matters mean Leeds aren’t quite at the top of their game, which might mean a home win.
Chelsea 2-0 Leeds.
Leeds’ early team news
17:45 , Mike Jones
Full-back Sam Bryam and centre-back Pascal Struijk are injured along with keeper Karl Darlow.
Right-back Connor Roberts is eligible to start this game despite being named on the bench for his previous club Burnley against Tottenham Hotspur in the third round.
Chelsea’s early team news
17:40 , Mike Jones
Chelsea could make several changes from their Wembley defeat, with Noni Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk among those who will hope to start, but Christopher Nkunku has been ruled out for “weeks” after an injury in the Carabao Cup final.
There could also be a change in goal as Robert Sanchez is fit again.
How to watch Chelsea vs Leeds
17:35 , Mike Jones
Chelsea face Leeds in the FA Cup on Wednesday 28 February, with kick-off set for 7:30pm GMT.
This fixture will be broadcast free to air on ITV4. Viewers can also stream the match via the ITV X website and app from all devices. And get all the details of the FA Cup quarter-final draw here.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Good evening!
17:30 , Mike Jones
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s FA Cup action as Chelsea host Leeds United at Stamford Bridge in the fifth round of the competition.
The Blues come into the match on the back of a heartbreaking loss in the Carabao Cup final just three days ago and it remains to be seen whether Mauricio Pochettino’s side can brush off the memories of that defeat in order to progress past a stubborn and in-form Leeds.
The Whites, who are chasing promotion in the Championship, are unbeaten in 12 matches and have won each of their last nine league games. They are second behind Leicester City and will be hoping to keep their winning momentum alive with a shock victory in London.
We’ll have all the updates, team news and match action throughout the evening so stick around as we build up to kick off at 7.30pm.