PLAYER RATINGS:  Olivier Giroud ratings once more as Chelsea beat Leeds to head most sensible of the Premier League

Chelsea continued their fine form by beating Leeds 3-1 to move to the top of the Premier League.

Second half goals from Kurt Zouma and Olivier Giroud sealed the win for Frank Lampard‘s side, to take them a point clear of Tottenham and Liverpool.

Here’s how each player rated in the clash at Stamford Bridge:

Chelsea (4-3-3)

Edouard Mendy – 7

Shipped only his second league goal in seven Premier League appearances this season.

The summer signing from Rennes kept his composure to help his side win the three points

Reece James – 7

The England defender capped a good night by providing a telling low centre for his side’s equaliser.

Kurt Zouma – 8

Underlined his aerial threat by heading Chelsea in front to seal a fine night’s work from the Frenchman.

Thiago Silva – 7

Returned to the back four to provide an unflustered presence and calming influence in possession.

Ben Chilwell – 7  

The England full-back had his work cut out with Leeds winger Raphinha but coped well.

Kai Havertz – 5

Quiet game for the German midfielder who was replaced by Mateo Kovacic in the second half

Significant spells of anonymity from the German were interspersed with the occasional eye-catching intervention.

N’Golo Kante – 8

Always on hand to snuff out danger and swiftly launch his side on another counter-offensive.

Mason Mount – 6

Neat and unflustered on the ball, the midfielder’s set piece delivery was a constant threat.

Hakim Ziyech – 5

Succumbed to an early thigh injury before having had a chance to impress.

Olivier Giroud – 8

The Frenchman was in the right place at the right time to convert Reece James’ cross

Repaid Frank Lampard’s faith and has now scored on his last six Premier League starts.

Timo Werner – 6

Came up with an early contender for miss of the season from virtually under the crossbar.

Subs:

Christian Pulisic (for Ziyech 30,) – 7

Mateo Kovacic (for Havertz, 67) – 6

Tammy Abraham (for Giroud, 79) – 6

Subs not used: Kepa, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Jorginho.

Leeds (4-1-4-1)

Illan Meslier – 7

 Meslier had a fairly solid game but was fortunate errors in distribution went unpunished

 Fortunate not to be punished for some erratic distribution, but pulled off some fine saves.

Luke Ayling – 7

Solid in defence and a key component of Leeds’ fluid counter-attacks down the right.

Robin Koch – 5

Limped out early as the gamble to play the injured defender failed to pay off.

Liam Cooper – 6

Reassuringly calm at the heart of Leeds’ defence in contrast to an erratic cameo from Diego Llorente alongside the skipper.

Stuart Dallas – 7

Another solid and dependable performance for the northern Ireland international midfielder

Rarely puts in a bad shift and this impressive 90-minute stint was no exception.

Kalvin Phillips – 8

The England midfielder underlined his quality by providing a sumptuous pass for Patrick Bamford’s opener.

Raphinha – 6

The winger was composed in possession and always a threat cutting in from the right onto his left foot.

Mat Klich – 7

Got through a lot of unheralded work in the engine room to help keep Leeds ticking over.

Ezgjan Alioski – 7

Showed a deft ability to turn defence into attack in another hard-working display.

Jack Harrison – 4

A difficult night at the Bridge, Harrison was taken off by Marcelo Bielsa in the second half 

Failed to make enough regular inroads down Leeds’ left to be happy with his performance.

Patrick Bamford – 8

Insisted it was just another game facing his old club but his eighth goal of the season will be among his most special.

Subs

Diego Llorente (for Koch 9) – 4

Ian Poveda (for Harrison, 58) – 6

Rodrigo (for Alioski, 69) – 6

Subs not used: Casilla, Struijk, Roberts, Costa.

Referee: Kevin Friend 7