If football matches are to be won, it is easier if you do not offer the opposition a goal.
That’s exactly what happened to Chelsea in the Premier League game away to Leeds.
Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy received a pass and seemingly had plenty of time to decide what to do with the ball. He chose to dribble – and he shouldn’t have done that.
An aggressively pressing Brendan Aaronson was quick and easily picked up the ball to make it 1-0 to Leeds in the 33rd minute.
It was the start of some seriously gloomy minutes for Chelsea.
In the 37th minute, Jack Harrison lifted a free kick into the penalty area where Rodrigo reached the highest and distinctively headed in 2-0.
That time it was Harrison who assisted Rodrigo. In the 69th minute it was the opposite.
A cross reached Rodrigo in the penalty area who got a foot on the ball which in turn found its way to Harrison who rammed in 3-0.
Things got even heavier for Chelsea when Kalidou Koulibaly received his second yellow card and was consequently sent off in the 84th minute.
Leeds, who were three points from relegation last season, won 3-0 and have thus started the season brilliantly. In three games, they have seven points after two wins and one draw.
Chelsea, in turn, have four points from three games. The only three points is the 1–0 victory against Everton in the opener.
A team that, like Leeds, has seven points after three games is Brighton. Away to West Ham, the Graham Potter-led side won 2–0 after goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Leandro Trossard.