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GRONKJAER HEADER SINKS LEEDS
Saturday 15th May 2004

 
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 Chelsea

 1-0

 Leeds

By James Pearson | Click here for match stats

Chelsea rounded off their impressive season with a comfortable 1-0 victory over already-relegated Leeds United at Stamford Bridge, thanks to Jesper Gronkjaer.

The Blues had already secured second place in The Premiership following their draw against Manchester United, however the side were keen to finish the campaign in style.

Claudio Ranieri's men barely had to break sweat as the West London outfit played free-flowing football throughout that gave their First Division-bound visitors rare sights of the ball.

Chelsea were into their stride from the off and only a number of superb saves from Scott Carson, in only his second ever Premiership start, kept the home side at bay.

The youngster firstly tipped over Joe Cole's stinging drive, after Gronkjaer's lay-off, and the shot-stopper did well shortly after to palm over Frank Lampard's long-range effort.

Eidur Gudjohnsen should have broken the deadlock after 12 minutes, but after getting behind the Leeds defence he chipped over Carson and the goal.

With Leeds enduring wave after wave of pressure from Chelsea it was simply a matter of time before Ranieri's men took a deserved lead.

The visitors were defending Ian Harte's aimless clearance within seconds when Lampard set Glen Johnson away down the right and he had all sorts of time and space before finding Gronkjaer with a diving header at the back post.

Gudjohnsen could have made it two after 32 minutes, but his header drifted just over following good work by Gronkjaer down the left wing.

The Iceland international was at the heart of all of Chelsea's moves, but he could not get himself on the scoresheet. Carson again showed good agility to tip his effort over, following Mario Melchiot's surging run.

Lampard came close to adding a second minutes after the half-time interval, but the former West Ham man could not keep down his header after good work by Cole.

Leeds showed more endeavour in the second half. The Yorkshire side had more possession, but never caused Chelsea keeper Carlo Cudicini any problems.

The visitors' attacking threat increased when Jermaine Pennant, on for Jason Wilcox, saw his free kick from outside the box beat the Italian keeper but crash off the post.

Lampard was close to doubling their lead, but Carson got down well to block the England midfielder's low drive before the rebound was fired wide.

Despite a spirited second half from Leeds it was never going to be enough, although they did move above Wolves in the table thanks to a better goals scored record.

Team Name Chelsea Leeds United
Goals 1 0
Shots on target (Inc Goals) 7 0
Shots off Target 11 3
Blocked Shots 4 0
Corners 9 2
Foul Conceded 8 9
Offsides 3 2
Yellow Cards 0 0
Red Cards 0 0

The Match
Score
Chelsea
1 - 0
Leeds United
Jesper Gronkjaer 20
 
Match facts
Competition: English Barclaycard Premiership
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Attendance: 41,276
KO: 15:00 Saturday 15th May 2004
Referee: Dean

Teams
Chelsea
23 Carlo Cudicini
2 Glen Johnson
13 William Gallas
15 Mario Melchiot
18 Wayne Bridge
26 John Terry
4 Claude Makelele
8 Frank Lampard
10 Joe Cole
30 Jesper Gronkjaer
22 Eidur Gudjohnsen
Subs
31 Marco Ambrosio
29 Robert Huth
12 Mario Stanic
27 Alexis Nicolas
21 Hernan Crespo
Leeds United
Scott Carson 40
Gary Kelly 2
Ian Harte 3
Lucas Radebe 5
Frazer Richardson 34
Dominic Matteo 21
Michael Duberry 22
Salomon Olembe 24
James Milner 38
Jason Wilcox 16
Alan Smith 17
Subs
Shaun Allaway 41
Matthew Kilgallon 36
Stephen McPhail 14
Jermaine Pennant 11
Nick Barmby 7

Cautions
Chelsea Leeds United

Substitutions
Chelsea Leeds United
82 Glen Johnson
82 Mario Stanic
85 John Terry
85 Robert Huth
90 Frank Lampard
90 Alexis Nicolas
61 Jason Wilcox
61 Jermaine Pennant
80 Salomon Olembe
80 Nick Barmby
 
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