7M - Cole Palmer's Costly Miss Marks Potential End to Liam Rosenior's Honeymoon Phase After Leeds Stumble

Cole Palmer's expression conveyed everything. His mouth agape in sheer disbelief, the 94th-minute open-goal miss from the weekend's hat-trick hero perhaps signaled the conclusion of Liam Rosenior's honeymoon period. Once again, it is against Leeds United that the fortunes of a Chelsea manager appear to shift.

Prior to the visit of Daniel Farke's side, Rosenior's early tenure at the Stamford Bridge helm featured seven victories in nine matches, with defeat only suffered across Chelsea's two Carabao Cup semi-final legs against a quadruple-chasing Arsenal. This commendable record was admittedly assisted by a favorable sequence of league fixtures, his sole opponents from the top half coming in the form of Brentford in mid-January. However, considering the backlash from a segment of the fanbase following his appointment, significant alarm bells had yet to sound regarding BlueCo's selection.

Dropped points against Leeds, however, could serve as the reality check that alters the momentum, much as was the case in December. The visitors' comprehensive defeat of Chelsea in this season's reverse fixture plunged a club with growing title aspirations into disarray. The loss at Elland Road, eight days after a stunning 3-0 victory over Barcelona, is widely viewed as the turning point that led to Enzo Maresca's messy departure. One month and only two wins in seven games later, the Italian was dismissed.

Chelsea were overwhelmed in that encounter, falling victim to a blistering start by Daniel Farke's team as they conceded within six minutes. A brief sense of déjà vu emerged when Jayden Bogle, curiously deployed in a second striker role rather than his usual wing-back position, found himself in the Chelsea penalty area inside 60 seconds, a break originating from Cole Palmer carelessly surrendering possession. Without the support of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who lost his race to be fit, Bogle ultimately ran the ball out of play, but it provided an early glimmer of hope for the visitors.

That hope was quickly extinguished as Chelsea grew into the game. Leeds became entrenched in their own half as the hosts pressed and probed, finding the breakthrough in the 24th minute through a sharp Chelsea move, neatly finished by João Pedro after being played in by Palmer.

That marks eight goal contributions in his last nine appearances for the Brazilian, whose influence had waned after an electrifying start to his Chelsea career. The immediate impact he made last summer, shining in the latter stages of the Club World Cup before carrying that form into the opening weeks of the season, led many to tout him as the Premier League's signing of the season. He is now rediscovering the potency that justified that early acclaim.

The roles of Chelsea goalscorer and provider were reversed after the interval. Jaká Bijol gifted the Blues a penalty in the 56th minute, pushing João Pedro in the back with both hands to send the striker tumbling. The Slovenian's protests were futile—it was a clear foul. And fresh from his first-half hat-trick at Molineux—which included two converted spot-kicks—Palmer made no mistake, slotting past Karl Darlow to double his side's advantage.

Chelsea were in control, with Rosenior seemingly on course for a fourth consecutive league victory. The new Blues boss had thus far appeared immune to upset—but then the complexion of the match changed dramatically.

Just as a clumsy challenge in one half seemed to have put the game beyond Leeds' reach, a clumsy challenge in the other half offered the visitors a lifeline. Moisés Caicedo's tripping of Bogle presented referee John Brooks with another straightforward decision, and Lukas Nmecha—deputizing for Calvert-Lewin—sent Robert Sánchez the wrong way from the spot.

Six minutes later, the decision was less clear-cut for the official. Noah Okafor tapped into an empty net following a calamitous misunderstanding between Sánchez and Josh Acheampong, who failed to clear after Bogle had forced his way into the box. It initially seemed Chelsea's errors would be pardoned, as replays indicated the ball had touched Bogle's arm in the buildup.

A delay followed—not as prolonged as some recently witnessed, but significant enough for home fans to anticipate a VAR monitor review. That review never came; the goal stood. Leeds were revived, Chelsea despondent.

Farke's team still had a quarter of an hour to withstand as Chelsea increased the pressure. While full credit is due to Leeds' defensive resilience, there was a palpable sense that luck had deserted the hosts following their surrender of total control.

João Pedro nearly emerged as the hero, his late header crashing against the crossbar. However, it is Palmer who will endure sleepless nights after blazing a last-gasp chance over the bar from just a couple of yards out with the goal gaping. Caicedo, who must have believed he had set up a late winner when squaring the ball across the six-yard box, stared blankly into the Matthew Harding Stand, scarcely able to comprehend that his talisman had not scored.

Palmer was left crouched in dejection even before the final whistle blew, with Leeds managing the closing seconds. For Farke's side, it's another valuable point in their survival bid.

Champions League qualification remains the paramount objective for Chelsea, and this result in isolation may not severely damage their prospects, with sixth-placed Liverpool entering this matchweek four points behind. But as witnessed in the latter stages of 2025, situations can deteriorate rapidly. Just ask Rosenior's predecessor.