Pat Nevin accuses Chelsea and Calum McFarlane of ‘gamesmanship’, Leeds United fans will agree

Liam Rosenior managed just four clean sheets during his time at Chelsea, across 23 games in league and cup. Yet, McFarlane has managed to conjure up a clean sheet when it mattered most, in the semi-final.

Chelsea’s player ratings v Leeds: Do YOU agree?

Gusto and Sanchez excellent!

A huge result for Chelsea going into the final four Premier League games of the season. Yet, Chelsea have been accused of cheating in the second half, and Leeds fans made their frustration clear at Wembley.

Pat Nevin accuses his former side, Chelsea, of ‘gamesmanship’

During the second half, after a fast start from Leeds following the restart, Robert Sanchez went down feigning injury. The Spaniard was able to recover and finish the game, but Leeds fans were not naive.

The Whites have seen this before. Goalkeepers are going down with an injury to stop the game. An outfield player does it and the game can continue. Leeds have been victims of it against Man City.

Plenty of other teams, too. On BBC Radio 5 Live, former Chelsea star Pat Nevin accused Chelsea and manager Calum McFarlane of “gamesmanship” as the latter spoke to his players with the game paused.

Nevin ordered referee Jarred Gillett to take control and make a decision: “It’s pure gamesmanship. That’s a problem in the game. If you are the referee, you’ve got to make a decision. He’s not injured.”

Calum McFarlane added a steel that has been missing for weeks

While it is clearly not a part of the beautiful game and it is flouting the rules, why not? Other teams are doing it, and until goalkeepers are stopped from doing so, why should Chelsea be above the line morally?

Chelsea have absolutely dominated Leeds! What has Calum McFarlane done differently to Liam Rosenior? 🤔

Chelsea’s performance today was one of grit, one of steel. It was one that had been missed so dearly under Rosenior. With the latter in charge, Chelsea felt lightweight, and other teams took advantage.

In stark contrast, against a physical side like Leeds, Chelsea put themselves about. Tosin did a solid job of marking Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and the midfield was dogged. McFarlane, clearly, was street smart, too.

Following the team talks on the side of the pitch while Sanchez received medical attention, the game petered out, and that could be due to the tactics McFarlane provided. He nullified Leeds, and it paid off.