Indeed, the presence of Mendy in goal and Thiago Silva in central defence had given Frank Lampard a foundation to finally build upon, but both were jointly culpable for the 1-0 defeat by Everton on Saturday night, a result that ended Chelsea’s 14-game unbeaten (17 if you include that Carabao Cup game at Spurs) run.
However, while observers have tried to paint the Brazil centre-back as equally blameworthy in the concession of the penalty, a closer inspection clearly puts the fault at Mendy’s door.
Admittedly, the South American was beaten in the preceding aerial duel by Dominic Calvert-Lewin from Jordan Pickford’s long ball upfield; still, he had the situation largely under control and looked to be easing the England forward away from goal.
MATCH FACTS
Leeds: Meslier; Dallas, Ayling, Alioski (Shackleton, 46); Phillips; Raphinha, Rodrigo, Klich, Harrison (Helder Costa, 46); Bamford (Roberts, 74)
Subs: Casilla, Struijk, Hernandez, Poveda-Ocampo
Booked: Alioski
Goal: Klich 6 (pen.)
West Ham: Fabianski; Coufal, Balbuena, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen (Johnson, 85), Benrahma (Noble, 84), Fornals (Snodgass, 90); Haller
Subs: Randolph, Lanzini, Fredericks, Dawson
Booked: Fabianski, Noble
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Leeds were fortunate to still be level come that point and even their goal owed much to the vagaries of VAR.
Mateusz Klich gave them an early lead from the penalty spot but only after a retake when Lukasz Fabianski was adjudged to have moved from his goal-line. It was terribly harsh.
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