Gronkjaer Header Sinks Leeds  (Sky Sports)

Chelsea 1 Leeds United 0

By James Pearson

Chelsea rounded off their impressive season with a comfortable 1-0 victory over already-relegated Leeds United at Stamford Bridge, thanks to Jesper Gronkjaer.

The Blues had already secured second place in The Premiership following their draw against Manchester United, however the side were keen finish the campaign in style.

Claudio Ranieri's men barely had to break a sweat as the West London outfit played free-flowing football throughout that gave their First Division-bound visitors rare sights of the ball.

Chelsea were into their stride from the off and only a number of superb saves from Scott Carson, only his second ever Premiership start, kept the home side at bay.

The youngster firstly tipped over Joe Cole's stinging drive, after Gronkjaer's lay-off, and the shot-stopper did well shortly after to palm over Frank Lampard's long-range effort.

Gudjohnsen should have broken the deadlock after 12 minutes, but after getting behind the Leeds defence he chipped over Carson and the goal.

With Leeds enduring wave after wave of pressure from Chelsea it was simply a matter of time before Ranieri's men took a deserved lead.

The visitors were defending Ian Harte's aimless clearance within seconds when Lampard set Glen Johnson away down the right and he had all sorts of time and space before finding Gronkjaer with a diving header at the back post.

Gudjohnsen could have made it two after 32 minutes, but his header drifted just over following good work by Gronkjaer down the left wing.

The Iceland international was at the heart of all of Chelsea's moves, but he could not get himself on the scoresheet. Carson against showed good agility to tip his effort over, following Mario Melchiot's surging run.

Lampard came close to adding second minutes after the half-time interval, but the former West Ham man could not keep down his header after good work by Cole.

Leeds showed more endeavor in the second half. The Yorkshire side had more possession, but never caused Chelsea keeper Carlo Cudicini any problems.

The visitors' attacking threat increased when Jermaine Pennant, on for Jason Wilcox, saw his free-kick from outside the box beat the Italian keeper but crashed off the post.

Lampard was close to doubling their lead, but Carson got down well to block the England midfielder's low drive before the rebound was fired wide.

Despite a spirited second half from Leeds it was never going to be enough, although they did move above Wolves in the table thanks to a better goals scored record.

Teams

Chelsea  Cudicini, Bridge, Huth, Gallas, Johnson (Stanic 82), Melchiot, Terry (Huth 85), Cole, Gronkjaer, Lampard (Nicolas 90), Makelele, Gudjohnsen
Subs Not Used  Ambrosio, Crespo
Booked 
Goals  Gronkjaer

Leeds United   Carson, Duberry, Harte, Kelly, Matteo, Radebe, Richardson, Milner, Olembe (Barmby 80), Wilcox (pennant 61), Smith
Subs Not Used  Allaway, Kilgallon, McPhail
Booked 
 

Attendance  41,276

Referee  M. Dean