Thomas Tuchel said Chelsea need to be “more clinical” after being held by Leeds in a high-tempo goalless encounter.
The Blues stretched their unbeaten run under the German to 12 games as Chelsea manager, but wasted several good chances including two for £71m forward Kai Havertz, who started in attack.
Despite lacking fans to add edge to the clubs’ long-standing rivalry, both sides were unlucky not to score as they both hit the woodwork and tested their opposition keepers.
Leeds almost went behind when Luke Ayling’s clearance hit team-mate Diego Llorente and looped over keeper Illan Meslier to hit the bar before Edouard Mendy tipped Tyler Roberts’ chip onto the same part of his goal.
Mendy also saved well from Raphinha’s effort to deny Leeds, who avoided a third straight defeat.
“We have enough quality to use the chances better and to be more clinical,” said Tuchel, who played a back four and picked Mason Mount, Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic behind Havertz.
“It is our responsibility, my responsibility to create more and to maybe have more big chances.”
In failing to beat Leeds, Chelsea missed out a chance to move above third-placed Leicester.
But Tuchel’s run of 10 Premier League games unbeaten since the start of a new manager’s reign is second only to Nottingham Forest’s Frank Clark and Chelsea’s Maurizio Sarri.
Leeds, who have only won one of their last six games, were dealt a blow in the first half when they lost top scorer Patrick Bamford, on his 100th appearance for the club, to injury in front of the watching England boss Gareth Southgate.
Chelsea weather Leeds storm to earn point
Without fans, Tuchel might have expected a gentle introduction to the traditional Leeds-Chelsea rivalry, which stretches back to the 1970s.
But the German seemed unsettled by Leeds’ director of football Victor Orta, who was a vocal presence throughout the game. The two had a heated debate over fair play even though Chelsea kicked the ball out once they realised Bamford was injured.
Despite those distractions, the visiting side still created the best chances in a robust first half as the returning Mount, Pulisic and Ziyech combined well behind Havertz, who played in a false-nine role.
The German, who has had a tough start to life at Chelsea after contracting coronavirus, showed some confident touches and went close to opening the scoring in either half.
His chance after half-time was the most wasteful when he had time and space in the box, but his right-footed shot was tipped over.
Tuchel said of the 21-year-old: “Unfortunately he could not finish like he finishes in training and like his talent allows him to finish, because we had enough chances.
“But in general, this is a position where he feels comfortable and I trust him in this position.”
Mount, who pulled the strings on the left, also set up a chance for Pulisic, who fired at Meslier, and tested the Leeds keeper from range. Ben Chilwell and N’Golo Kante were also wasteful from the left.
The fact a first-half mix-up in the Leeds defence was the closest Chelsea came to scoring would have been disappointing for the visitors as victory would have strengthened their grip on a top four-place and put them a point behind second-placed Manchester United.
But with Mendy on form against a Leeds side who continually posed questions, it means Tuchel’s side have only conceded two goals since he replaced Frank Lampard in January.
Leeds impress but Bamford injury causes worries
This was another example of how Leeds can entertain and frustrate in equal measure.
Roared on by Orta from the directors’ box and from Bielsa in the technical area, they had the Chelsea players huffing and puffing from the start in what was only their third Premier League draw of the season.
Although Llorente almost scored what would have been a comical own goal, they recovered quickly with Bamford and Roberts linking up well to engineer a chip that brought out the best in Chelsea keeper Mendy.
He was also inspired in saving Raphinha’s close-range effort as he was moving the other way when he got a hand to it, and substitute Reece James did well to stop a late Llorente shot.
Had that gone in, Leeds would have been well-placed to say they deserved victory.
But a point against an in-form Chelsea team will also be of comfort on a wet and windy day which did no favours for their quick passing game on a sticky pitch.
The biggest worry, however, would have been watching Bamford go off during the first half. The striker came off worse in a challenge with Antonio Rudiger and left the field clutching his hip after trying to struggle on.
Rodrigo replaced Bamford after 35 minutes and with Spanish forward taken off after 79 minutes, but Bielsa said it was because he lacked match fitness.
In mid-table and 10 points above the drop zone, Leeds are in no danger relegation but their hopes of reaching the top 10 will be hampered without main striker Bamford.
Tuchel matches Chelsea record
Thomas Tuchel is unbeaten in all 12 of his games in charge of Chelsea in all competitions, the joint-longest unbeaten start by a manager in the club’s history (Felipe Scolari also 12).
Chelsea have drawn three of their 10 Premier League games under Tuchel 0-0, more than they did in 57 under previous manager Frank Lampard (2).
Leeds’ total possession figure of 38.1% is their lowest recorded in any of their 120 league games under Marcelo Bielsa.
This was Leeds’ first draw in 19 Premier League games (W8 L10), since a goalless draw against Arsenal in November. All three of Leeds’ league draws this season have been at Elland Road.
Chelsea have conceded just two goals in their 10 Premier League games under Thomas Tuchel – no manager has conceded fewer in their first 10 games in charge in the competition’s history (level with José Mourinho in 2004-05).
Only Ederson (15) has kept more Premier League sheets among goalkeepers than Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy so far this season (14).
What next?
Leeds face a trip to Fulham on Friday 19 March in the Premier League (kick-off 20:00 GMT), while Chelsea are at home to Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League tie on 17 March (20:00), before hosting Sheffield United in the FA Cup on 21 March (13:30)
