Leeds United boosted their Premier League survival hopes and dealt a heavy blow to Chelsea’s title ambitions as they ended a four-game losing streak with a commanding 3-1 victory at Elland Road.

The Yorkshire side started on the front foot, and it paid off almost immediately. Just five minutes in, Jaka Bijol opened the scoring, converting Anton Stach’s near-post corner into the net. Ten minutes later, Leeds nearly doubled their lead, but Pascal Struijk’s header went narrowly wide.

Chelsea struggled to impose themselves in the early stages, and although they began to dominate possession around the half-hour mark, they created little of note. Leeds’ relentless pressing, however, struck again just before halftime. After Enzo Fernández gave away possession, Ao Tanaka unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the area that flew past Robert Sánchez into the bottom corner, giving Leeds a 2-0 lead at the break.

Chelsea looked to mount a comeback early in the second half. Sánchez denied a Lukas Nmecha half-volley, but the visitors pulled one back when a sweeping move saw Gittens deliver a cross to Pedro Neto, who converted at the back post.

Enzo Maresca brought on Cole Palmer, returning from a two-month injury layoff, in search of a revival, but the England international fired wide from Alejandro Garnacho’s cross. Leeds sealed the win late when Tosin Adarabioyo allowed Noah Okafor to break free and set up Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who tapped home to make it 3-1.

The defeat leaves Chelsea in fourth place, their hopes of sustaining a title challenge dented after their weekend win over Arsenal. Leeds, meanwhile, climb three points clear of the relegation zone, buoyed by a vital triumph at home.