Chelsea forward Olivier Giroud has become the latest Premier League star to commend Leeds United for their style of play and abrasive approach.
Following Chelsea's 3-1 win over Leeds, Giroud spoke candidly to Sky Sports in his post-match interview, labelling the Whites a "good team."
Giroud referenced Leeds' draw with Manchester City and narrow defeat to Liverpool, suggesting that to have come away with a 3-1 victory represented some well-earned points for Chelsea.
The Frenchman scored the Blues' equaliser midway through the first half, getting in front of Liam Cooper at the near post to divert in a cross from the right-hand side.
It was a tactic Chelsea employed on numerous occasions, which ultimately paid dividends for the home side.
"We conceded early and wanted to bounce back straight away. They [Leeds] were one of the best teams I have faced since a few months.
"Physically they run everywhere. It was so hard. It's a great feeling to win tonight and they drew against Man City and lost just to Liverpool. They really impress me. They are a good team."
Giroud's praise follows that of Hector Bellerin who also expressed just how difficult it is to come up against this Leeds United team.
After Arsenal's lucky escape and 0-0 draw at Elland Road, the Spanish full-back stated that it was a markedly difficult contest trying to compete with Leeds' intensity.
There are parallels in Bellerin and Giroud's comments, and earning praise from stalwarts of the top flight is a good barometer for Leeds to judge themselves against.
Despite the result, Marcelo Bielsa's side are having a considerable impact on the Premier League and how teams approach their games. It is perhaps the biggest compliment that teams are outwardly commending the Leeds setup post-match, as if to validate their own performances.
Defeat leaves a sour taste in the mouth, but that blow is softened by the opponents' admission that their victory was hard-fought. Chelsea appear to be carving themselves out as viable title contenders this season, and to have gone toe-to-toe with the last two winners, as well as Champions-elect, speaks volumes of how Leeds are re-adapting to the top flight.
