On a cold, drizzly evening in Kingston, Leeds took the lead just before half-time with a powerful strike from Max McFadden, putting them 1-0 ahead.

We came out for the second half with renewed energy and aggression, determined to turn the game around. Substitute Ryan Kavuma-McQueen made an immediate impact, delivering a precise cross into the box, where Genesis Antwi pounced to fire past the keeper and level the score.

Despite applying relentless pressure and pinning the Whites back for the majority of the second half, we couldn't find the back of the net. The game ended in a hard-fought draw, with the Premier League 2 points shared for the evening.

High tempo from the off

Our guests had the first real glimpse of goal when Kristian Moore worked his way into the area and unleashed a curling strike on target. But it wasn’t enough to break the deadlock, as our towering keeper, Lucas Bergstrom, reacted sharply to catch the effort.

We responded with a fine chance of our own, following a swift counter-attack. Brodi Hughes made an excellent run up the wing before delivering a precise cross to Kiano Dyer, who took his shot from outside the area. His sweeping effort looked destined for goal, but the Leeds shot-stopper got down quickly to make the save.

Chelsea began to turn up the pressure. We came close again not long after, as right-back Antwi whipped in a cross to Ronnie Stutter. Stutter unleashed a venomous strike on target, but a Leeds defender managed to make a vital block. The loose ball fell to Donnell McNeilly, who fired a powerful effort, only for it to drift agonisingly wide.

Falling behind

The match entered a more cautious phase as both teams settled into their rhythm. A brief delay occurred when Joe Richards took a powerful Hughes clearance to the head and had to be replaced by McFadden.

Leeds then capitalised on their substitution. A dangerous Rhys Chadwick free-kick found Alfie Cresswell, who did well to direct his header into a dangerous area. McFadden pounced, smashing the ball through a crowd of bodies. Bergstrom managed to get a hand to it, but it had too much power and our opponents took the lead.

As half-time approached, Chelsea were pushing hard for an equaliser. McNeilly had another opportunity, testing Rory Mahady with a low drive from distance, but once again the Leeds keeper stayed composed and collected the shot.

We then produced a brilliant team move that came incredibly close to finding the net. Ato Ampah drove forward down the wing before picking out Antwi, who smartly cut the ball back for McNeilly. Our striker made a clever connection, laying it off for Samuel Rak-Sakyi inside the area.

The midfielder struck the ball cleanly, only to see it cannon off the crossbar. It was a well-worked move that deserved a goal, but we were denied by the woodwork.

With five minutes of stoppage time added, we continued to apply pressure and pin Leeds back with aggressive forward runs. However, despite our intensity, we couldn’t find an equaliser before the break, leaving us with work to do in the second half.

Fight continues

The Blues came out after the restart with determination, intent on staging a comeback. Stutter looked dangerous throughout, making threatening runs upfield. He carved out the first chance of the second half, unleashing a powerful strike from a tight angle, but Mahady stood firm to deny him.

Moments later, winger Ampah had his turn to test the Leeds goalkeeper. It came from a clever clipped pass by Stutter, setting him up for a low-driven shot, but it curled just past the far post. The momentum was shifting and it felt like an equaliser was only a matter of time.

We continued to pile on the pressure. Rak-Sakyi did brilliantly to dispossess a Leeds defender before threading a perfect through-ball to Ampah. Bursting into the penalty box, he fired a fierce shot at goal, forcing Mahady into another strong save. The rebound fell straight to Stutter, who struck a powerful follow-up, but somehow the Leeds keeper managed to push it away once more.

Back on level terms

The fight was far from over. Looking for fresh energy, Filipe Coelho turned to his bench, bringing on Kavuma-McQueen for Stutter. The substitute made an immediate impact, bursting down the wing with purpose before delivering a pinpoint cross into the box. Antwi controlled it brilliantly and with his second touch, slotted the ball home at the near post. Chelsea were back in it at 1-1.

Kavuma-McQueen continued to shine, using quick footwork to weave into the box before spotting fellow sub Shumaira Mheuka in space. Without hesitation, Mheuka fired a low left-footed shot, but the Leeds keeper reacted sharply to keep it out.

Still at the heart of the action, Kavuma-McQueen took advantage of another chance when Ampah delivered a precise cross. He shrugged off his marker and unleashed a powerful strike from distance. Unfortunately the effort skimmed agonisingly wide, but it was another close call for Chelsea.

Yet another opportunity came soon after, as our confidence continued to grow. Ampah curled a precise cross into the area, where Mheuka rose to flick a header toward goal. It looked destined for the back of the net, but Mahady reacted sharply, pushing the effort away.

With three minutes of stoppage time added, we refused to slow down, pressing hard for a late winner. But despite our relentless efforts, we couldn't beat Mahady in goal. The final whistle blew and we were forced to settle for a point, sharing the spoils in a hard-fought battle.

What's next

Chelsea Under-21s continue our Premier League 2 campaign with an away match against Liverpool on Sunday 16 February, kicking off at 2pm.

The teams

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Lucas Bergstrom; Genesis Antwi, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Landon Emenalo, Brodi Hughes (c); Harrison McMahon, Samuel Rak-Sakyi; Ato Ampah, Kiano Dyer, Ronnie Stutter (Ryan Kavuma-McQueen 72); Donnell McNeilly (Shumaira Mheuka 65)
Unused subs: Ted Curd, Calvin Diakite, Kaiden Wilson
Scorer: Antwi 75
Booked: McNeilly 44, Antwi 52

Leeds United (4-2-3-1): Rory Mahady, Joseph Richards (Max McFadden 24), Connor Ferguson, Diogo Monteiro, Reuben Lopata-White (Joshua McDonald 73), Kristian Moore, Connor Douglas, Alfie Cresswell (c), Harry Gray, Rhys Chadwick, Cian Coleman
Unused subs: Darryl Ombang, Coban Bird, Brooklyn Nfonkeu
Scorer: McFadden 30
Booked: Lopata-White 43, Mahady 68, Coleman 90