Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel after Leeds loss: 'We were the better team'

Thomas Tuchel holds his head during Chelsea's 3-0 loss to Leeds.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has insisted that the Blues were 'the better team' despite a 3-0 loss to Leeds United in the Premier League at Elland Road on Sunday.

Leeds went ahead through Brenden Aaronson after 33 minutes following a bad mistake by Chelsea goalkeeper Edoaurd Mendy and doubled their lead thanks to a Rodrigo Moreno header shortly afterwards.

Jesse Marsch's side then wrapped up a comprehensive victory on 69 minutes, when Jack Harrison poked home from close range.

"I think we lost the game in the first 20 minutes, when we were clearly better, with huge chances," Tuchel told BBC Sport.

"[We had] a lot of touches in the box, but we missed the target. We didn’t take what we deserved.

"We stopped doing what we did good, stopped doing it, then it was an even game for 15 minutes, in these 15 minutes we gave two presents and if you give two presents away in the Premier League, you lose."

And he added: "We were clearly the better team. They do what they do but we were clearly the better team: I don’t see that a set piece and an own goal (Mendy’s mistake) is due to the style, it’s due to our mistakes."

Chelsea only conceded 17 goals in Tuchel's first 30 league games in charge, but have let in double that (34) in his next 30 as Blues boss.

"We lost it in the first 20 minutes and we gave two goals away, which is not new for us," the German said.

"If we give goals away like this when we are in charge, it’s totally unnecessary and we cannot win football matches.

"We tried second half, I’m a bit disapppointed that we lost the second half as well. They scored, they made the maximum out of their half chances and we did not."

Ben Hayward
Weekend editor

Ben Hayward is a European football writer and Tottenham Hotspur fan with over 15 years’ experience, he has covered games all over the world - including three World Cups, several Champions League finals, Euros, Copa America - and has spent much of that time in Spain. Ben speaks English and Spanish, currently dividing his time between Barcelona and London, covering all the big talking points of the weekend on FFT: he’s also written several list features and interviewed Guglielmo Vicario for the magazine.

With contributions from
Read more
Daniel Farke
Daniel Farke spells out the details required for Leeds United to win Premier League promotion
Chelsea's English midfielder #20 Cole Palmer (R) celebrates after his deflected shot makes it 2-1 during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge in London on February 3, 2025
Stamford Bridge’s volume can help Chelsea secure the Champions League football they crave and need
Cole Palmer of Chelsea celebrates with teammates after Bart Verbruggen of Brighton & Hove Albion (not pictured) scores a own goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea at Amex Stadium on February 08, 2025 in Brighton, England.
Chelsea and Enzo Maresca have three major problems they must solve after crashing out of the FA Cup with alarm bells now ringing
Enzo Maresca wants to improve his attack and could look to weaken a fellow top-four rival
‘Chelsea have to qualify for the Champions League for this season to be a success – they showed that they have the players to perform at a high level, they need a win quickly now’ Blues legend’s fears over recent bad run
Chelsea's English defender #06 Levi Colwill (C) celebrates after scoring his team third goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge in London on February 25, 2025. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
How Chelsea’s unshakable team spirit is shining through despite off-field chaos
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca
'Enzo Maresca has proven himself to be one of the best coaches in the Premier League this season - I like the way they play, it's attractive football' Roberto Di Matteo exclusively tells FourFourTwo how good the Chelsea manager is
Latest in Stories
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
When does the summer transfer window open?
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Latest in News
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Jack Grealish
Manchester City report: Jack Grealish poised for European switch, with price revealed