Huddersfield Town 1 Leeds United 1 – a laboured performance

Huddersfield Town 1 Leeds United 1 – a laboured performance.  Leeds United’s winning run in the Championship has come to the end as Leeds looked tired and blunt in front of goal.  It was a laboured performance as Leeds lacked that extra yard to get behind a ten man Huddersfield defence.  For Leeds it felt like two points dropped.

Leeds United were on an incredible winning streak in the Championship.  Leeds United have in-form Joseph and James on their bench so the strength in the depth of the squad is without question.  Leeds United have the meanest defence in the league but this is unpredictable game – a Yorkshire derby and Huddersfield Town have a new manager.

This was a full blooded derby.  At times there was little quality on the pitch.  Huddersfield Town played a physical game to stop Leeds building momentum and it worked.  It was largely Huddersfield on top in the first half.

Leeds should have been a goal up inside the first four minutes with Kamara and Gnonto having an opportunity to shoot before Summerville finally did but was saved.  Huddersfield,undeterred played with confidence and pace to force the game with Rudoni forcing Meslier to save a long range shot into the top left hand of the goal. Rudoni again had a neat flick back from a corner which Meslier anticipated it.

Huddersfield’s physical plan worked for a while as Leeds simply could not build momentum forward. Huddersfield kept threatening to score with Kamara gifting them a chance with a poor pass but Gray was there to snuff out the attack.

Huddersfield eventually did score from a free kick just before half time which Meslier could only parry for Helik o tap into the net.  But the physical approach by Huddersfield eventually unravelled with a sending off. Summerville, Rodon, Gnonto and then Ampadu were all clattered and elbowed with a flurry of yellow cards until Hogg inevitably earned himself a second and headed for an early bath just before half time.  A bad foul on Summerville ironically led to Nakayama leaving the pitch injured as he got in the way. 

A sluggish start to the second half forced Farke to make a triple substitution to get more pace in their attack against a dogged Huddersfield.  But Leeds still were not clicking on their passing.

The substitutions finally made a difference and Leeds equalised.  James laid on to Roberts who found Bamford in front of goal.  Leeds then dominated with 78% possession; they kept trying to walk the ball in to the box but Huddersfield flooded the defence and Leeds’ final ball was poor.  The best chance came to Summerville who hit the post. 

As the match limped to a draw the team looked tired and blunt in front of a ten man wall.  Georginio had a frustrating time earning himself a yellow card.  The next few matches for Leeds United are all winnable.  Ipswich Town are breathing down Leeds United’s neck for that vital second automatic promotion place so every point matters.

Man of the match: Ampadu.  There are few good performances today but Ampadu stayed strong in the middle of defence.