Chelsea

Plus: Chelseas owners dont see Romelu Lukaku as part of their ongoing project; Manchester United could pursue Napoli defender Kim Min-jae; Sir Jim Ratcliffe ...

Patrick Vieira says he is hopeful that Wilfried Zaha will stay at Crystal Palace despite the winger having yet to sign a new contract with the club. Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are expected to hold first meetings with Manchester United over the next fortnight regarding their respective bids to buy the club. The cost of the DP World Tour's legal battle with LIV Golf has spiralled to a staggering £5m as both sides wait for the ruling in a bitter arbitration case. The West Ham United shareholder, Daniel Kretinsky, is not expected to make any immediate move for a full takeover of the club despite a windfall tax clause expiring next week. Sir Jim Ratcliffe is refusing to match Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani's promise to wipe the debt from Manchester United's accounts. Plus: Chelsea's owners don't see Romelu Lukaku as part of their ongoing project; Manchester United could pursue Napoli defender Kim Min-jae; Sir Jim Ratcliffe is refusing to match Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani's promise to wipe the debt from Manchester United's accounts

Wesley Fofana's header in the early stages of the second half ensured an upbeat start to spring as Chelsea's nightmare winter came to an end.

[Ruben Loftus-Cheek](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/186505/Ruben-Loftus-Cheek), 6 - A typically diligent showing from the big midfielder stationed at right wing-back. Made a smart late stop from [Mateo Joseph](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/346709/Mateo-Joseph) before clutching an even later header from Meslier. A leading light during Chelsea's period of dominance, but faded thereafter and was removed as Potter looked to lock in the victory. Full of running, but continues to spend too much time on the periphery of Chelsea's approach. On the front foot throughout as Chelsea bossed the midfield from the off, but faded in influence and made way for Chukwuemeka as Potter reshuffled his pack late in the second half. Put in plenty of hard yards and showed tremendous stamina in his contribution before making way for Madueke in the late stages. [Kepa Arrizabalaga](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/169532/Kepa-Arrizabalaga), 6 -- Seldom called upon during Chelsea's early dominance, but had to be alert more than once to support his back three in possession. Took no prisoners, as per usual, and managed to take the sting out of Rutter's goal-bound attempt at a key point in the game. Happier out of possession than in it, but growing in stature all the time. There was no such mistake made for the winning goal, however, and thereafter the Frenchman was a totemic presence at the back. The resultant extra man in midfield gave Chelsea total dominance in the early stages, but yet again a tactical victory was undone by wayward finishing from his forwards. Chelsea were undoubtedly good value for their lead and, after struggling to adapt to the rare position of being ahead, saw out two sustained spells of Leeds pressure and held on to register a priceless clean sheet.

Chelsea's embattled manager Graham Potter's managerial skin might just have been saved for now with a shaft of light in the gloom that ends a run of three ...

The goal, Chelsea’s first at Stamford Bridge for 49 days, sent a wave of relief surging around the ground, and it was the excellent Chilwell who made it. It was a different Chelsea to the one so meek in defeats to Tottenham and here against Southampton. The next opportunity fell to Fofana, thumping a header just over from Chilwell’s neat near-post corner. For all Chelsea’s struggles, the team had not lost their fans’ support. The determination to end that drought was readily apparent The first-half chances came at a quickfire rate.

Player ratings from Stamford Bridge as Chelsea host Leeds in the Premier League - a crucial game for beleaguered manager Graham Potter.

Despite wasting a number of chances, Chelsea ground out a much-needed win over Leeds at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, easing the pressure on Graham ...

Goalscoring has been the Blues' most obvious limitation, and at times it seemed as though their inability to find the back of the net would cost them once again. Despite a number of hairy moments, Chelsea successfully defended out the game to secure a crucial three points for under-fire manager Potter. Having made a front-footed start, Chelsea spurned three glorious chances in the opening exchanges, including Kai Havertz failing to capitalise on a one-v-one and Joao Felix almost obliterating the crossbar with a half-volley as anxiety around the ground grew.

Wesley Fofana eased the pressure on Chelsea boss Graham Potter as the French defender sealed a 1-0 win against Leeds at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.