Calum McFarlane masterminded a gritty Chelsea win over Leeds United on Sunday, but it was not without controversy. Indeed, McFarlane and Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu were involved in a tussle.
The context was important, pre-match. Leeds are a settled side, with a manager in place for almost three years and safety pretty much secured. Chelsea are miles away from that, sacking Liam Rosenior last week.
Despite everything, McFarlane got it right tactically as Chelsea beat Leeds. Enzo Fernandez got the only goal of the game. It will come as little surprise that Fernandez caused the match’s most heated moment.
According to The Mail’s Kieran Gill, it was Fernandez who signalled Robert Sanchez to go down and force the game to stop. It allowed Chelsea’s players to talk to McFarlane and stop Leeds’ growing momentum.
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Calum McFarlane is a big fan.
Some have called it street smart, some have called it cheating. Pat Nevin accused Chelsea and McFarlane of “gamesmanship”, but it helped Chelsea reach the FA Cup final. Ethan Ampadu took particular offence.
McFarlane confronted Ampadu during the second-half incident
As the Chelsea players headed over to McFarlane for tactical advice, a clear attempt to derail a Leeds side that was building some rhythm, Ampadu headed over and caused a bit of a fracas on the touchline.
McFarlane was having none of it. The two won’t have crossed paths at Chelsea, but both have spent time in the Chelsea academy. Yet, there was no mutual appreciation. Gill reports what McFarlane told him.
He wrote: “Daniel Farke and his fellow coaches protested to the match officials. Players copied. Captain Ethan Ampadu exchanged words with McFarlane, who told him to ‘go away’ in no uncertain terms.”
Chelsea showed something they lacked under Liam Rosenior
One criticism of Rosenior’s time in charge was a lack of fight among the players. After Brighton’s second goal last week, the Chelsea players appeared to down tools. Standards had slipped under Rosenior.
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Gusto and Sanchez excellent!
But that was different under McFarlane. That was a group of players fighting for the gaffer; it was a team of players willing to put their bodies on the line. McFarlane had made a big call before the match.
Starting Tosin Adarabioyo over Wesley Fofana was a surprise, but it proved to be the right one. Chelsea no longer seemed lightweight, and Tosin played a key role in that. There was a doggedness about them.
Four clean sheets in 23 games under Rosenior, one in one under McFarlane. Chelsea might have been a bit cheeky, certainly morally, but who cares when it got the job done? It’s something Chelsea lacked.
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