Brighton HA 1 Leeds United 0. Leeds United still can’t find a way past Brighton HA. Not a shadow on their performance against Chelsea Leeds never looked like scoring today. Brighton HA are still our bogey team.
The match starts with Leeds fans drowning out the home fans. The ground is clouded with smoke from the pyrotechnics. Brighton expose Leeds’ defence from the off. Leeds United get their first run out in the new dark third kit.
Kristensen’s lack of pace immediately shows when caught out by pace of Wellbeck. Brighton have a shot on goal. On the left hand side Struijk brings down March and earns himself a yellow card on only 7 minutes.
For the first quarter of an hour Leeds are forced defend, conceding free kicks. Trossard and Webster are able to take shots on goal. Leeds’ nervousness shows on 20 minutes when Leeds try to pass out on goal but Meslier boots it sideways past Llorente.
The first half Leeds try long range shots to Forwards and keep losing the ball. Aaronson shows his frustration and gets a yellow card. Leeds’ target man Rodrigo ended up dropping deep to get the ball.
Leeds have their only best spell just before half time with time on the ball and James getting their first shot on goal. The silent whisperers Harrison and Aaronson get their first corner in extra time which is weak. A poor first half for Leeds that they will feel Meslier kept them in the match by stopping Trossard from scoring.
Leeds start the second half with possession to the forwards but get caught with Brighton counter attacking. Gross has a one on one with Meslier and Meslier stops the shot. Leeds lucky again. It’s soon Brighton dominating but lacking quality on the final shot.
Leeds on the hour bring on Klich and Sinisterra to improve the midfield with James and Roca off. Immediately Harrison weaves into the penalty and Sinisterra hits the goalpost instead of placing the ball in the net. A real chance. Rodrigo now playing higher up but his poor final pass is the difference between Leeds scoring. Leeds now seeing more of the ball going forward.
After a positive second half start Leeds go down 1-0 with the defence chasing the Brighton forwards across the goal – an easy goal. Leeds win their second corner of the match which again is a poor one. Harrison is replaced by Forshaw on 70 minutes. Finally for Leeds Gelhardt comes on replacing Aaronson. Leeds’ frustration overflows with Marsch himself picking up a yellow card.
Towards the end Webster hacks down Sinisterra and only gets a yellow card for it. Free kick goes to Llorente who mistimes the header. A last attempt before the final whistle from Gelhardt who unleashes a power shot on goal and nearly takes Webster’s head off.
Rodrigo has had a poor day mistiming his crosses. Llorente in defence has been loose with the ball. Harrison and Aaronson on the wings were never able to get their crosses in Marsch blames the team for not following “the plan” in the first half. Whilst Leeds were more in control in the second he admits they did not take their chances. Sinisterra looked dangerous when he came on and is knocking on the door for a first team place.
Man of the match: Meslier
