Leeds United 0 Burnley FC 1 – slipping away. Leeds United spurned a chance to keep their show on the road. There are serious questions about Farke’s tactics with an underwhelming performance. Despite having four new signings, only one – Solomon – has started the last two matches – this does feel like Leeds have not yet fully started the new season.
A strong contest between two teams both expected to be promoted. This could have ended as a nil nil draw. Burnley FC never threatened to score. Leeds dominated possession and had plenty of shots but missed their chances. A fluffed shot by Joseph at the beginning and Ramazani passing instead of shooting at the end showed Leeds spurned their chances.
Instead, an early slip by Solomon gave Burnley one chance to score which they took. Burnley then spent the rest of the much camped in their own half with a five man defence that Leeds failed to break down.
Leeds had three opportunities to score. The first came into the first couple of minutes when Joseph dispossessed the defender and only had the goal keeper but missed. The second was a clear penalty on Gnonto that the referee failed to give. The third was Ramazani having a clear shot on goal towards the end of the match and deciding to pass it instead.
Leeds spent the bulk of the match with 71% possession but a blunt attack. Bogle and Gnonto worked the right wing, with Firpo and Solomon busy on the left. Aaronson and Solomon had some stylish moves, and Gnonto was easily the most effective. Aaronson tried to feed Joseph through the middle but Burnley held firm.
Despite dominating the match in terms of possession and shots Leeds never looked like scoring as Burnley did enough to defend against a blunt Leeds attack.
As the match slipped away Leeds, subbed on two of its new recruits – Tanaka and Ramazani – who failed to change the momentum of the match. Burnley had a player sent off which reflected their determination to stop us playing. With the lack of service to Joseph, and the pointless subbing of Piroe the match ended with the fans booing.
It was clear to fans that Farke’s tactics had not worked – too much side ways passing, too little firepower, and a defence that leaked. With three new signings still not starting it feels like the team is not yet the finished article.
Man of the match: Willy Gnonto – tirelessly running and trying to score.
