The best thing about Leeds United's Chelsea defeat was also the worst thing - Graham Smyth's Verdict on Stamford Bridge drama

In proving that Marcelo Bielsa's ever-present optimism was far from misplaced, Leeds simultaneously gave fans reasons to share his hope and allowed it to be dashed at the death. The performance was a balm that soothed worries, a sweet tonic for recent woes, the result an acid that burned and left a bitter aftertaste. Losing to a somewhat soft stoppage time penalty was particularly sour.

The major positives were how well Leeds frustrated and stifled the European champions and the way they fought back to level in the final 10 minutes. A first Premier League goal for Joe Gelhardt, an assist for Tyler Roberts and signs of the football that made last season so much fun were important additional bonuses.

The negatives were how much of a role Leeds played in all three Chelsea goals and that they managed to undo their good work so close to the end, having worked so hard to fight back.

Had it been the walloping so many were expecting, in light of the once-again threadbare nature of the squad Bielsa took to face the Premier League title hopefuls, defeat might have been easier to take.

Instead, the what-ifs were torturous and hope assumed its traditional role as a killer.

The fact is that Leeds need to be perfect, or as near as damn it, to beat teams of this quality and for so much of the contest they achieved it. Teams of Chelsea's quality need few chances, however, and ruthlessly punish anything shy of perfection, so in making mistakes Leeds lost the game.