Newcastle United FC 0 Leeds United 0 – a scrappy point. Leeds earn a vital point against a top team through a combination of stubborn resliance and Newcastle’s own wastefulness in front of goal.
Heavy persistent rain added to the slipperiness of the pitch in a physical game with plenty of fouls. Fans on both sides were loud and added to the tense atmosphere.
Trippier was Newcastle’s best player on the right commanding the play. Newcastle tried to expose Leeds down the wings by crossing long behind the Leeds defence – a number of teams use this tactic.
For Leeds Gnonto was our best player making darting runs down the left creating chances in the penalty box. Rodrigo relied on Gnonto for passes into the penalty box – this could work in the future as Gnonto settles into the team.
Newcastle were dangerous with set piece on corners and numerous free kicks using their superior height in the penalty box. They created more chances in the first half but Leeds defence have protected Meslier well.
Nervous moment before half time when Shar clashes with Adams in the penalty box – a fifty-fifty if that is called as a penalty. Thankfully not.
Forshaw looked rusty with passes going astray. Leeds not comfortable with holding the ball and patiently building. Adams provided reassurance in defence. Aaronson and Harrison were energetic without creating many opportunities. Leeds again lacking shots on target.
Second half onslaught
Second half starts scrappily with one foul after another. Joelinton joining in needlessly to a foul on Roca (on at half time) and escapes without a card. Newcastle start brightly and win the free kicks and use their height to test Meslier.The shots keep coming in the first 30 minutes.
Every time Leeds go forward Newcastle win the back the ball. It’s excruciating to watch. A rare attack by Rodrigo ends up with an over pass. Finally Rodrigo has a shot on target after 55 minutes but otherwise Leeds are pinned inside their own half. Leeds bring on Klich to support the defence. Referee is struggling to hold on to the game as he books Gnoto for not being ten yards back from a free kick.
Leeds look to push forward with Sumerville replacing our best player Gnonto. Last ten minutes see Gelhardt haev an opportunity to make an impact.
It all kicks off in extra time as Newcastle are frustrated at Leeds taking them time. Callum Wilson for a needless push on Meslier. Bruno is carded for his anger towards Adams in the penalty box.
Leeds’ stubborn resilience earns them a point at St James’ Park. Newcastle fans not impressed by the wastefuless of Newcastle in front of goal.
Player of the match: Gnonto
Leeds United 1 Manchester city 3. A class apart. Leeds held Manchester City till almost half time. Then the class of Haaland and Peps’ devastating one touch attacking football took control. The two goal difference is a fair reflection of how City stopped Leeds from shooting.
Leeds were beaten heavily by Manchester CIty in both matches last season. The quality of City both on the pitch and on the bench is a lot to ask of a Leeds’ team that is newly built but still short of a striker and left back.
Within the first minute Haaland outpaced Cooper and tried to lob over Meslier,who managed to get just enough of a hand to deflect it for Struijk to kick away from goal. A sinister omen for what was to come over the next ninety minutes.
The game then settled down for City to patiently hold the ball until the opportunity to attack; Leeds were nervous passing the ball, generally losing it when moving forward with forwards not there.
Grealish’s antics soon started with the game having to stop while he rolled on the ground and then complained to the referee about no card brandished. He was booed for the rest of his time on the pitch.
In the first half Leeds managed one just shot off target from Gnoto. Gnonto was our main attacking force on the left. Leeds defence held firm until the end of the half. Kristensen was doing a number on Grealish. Greallish is having an awful night missing a number of opportunities.
After Leeds tried to fashion an opportunity to score De Bruyne launched a counter attack leaving Rodri to force Meslier to make a save and then score from the rebound. It is a cruel moment to score at the end of the first half. Leeds ended the first half with 1 shot versus City’s 16 shot. It’s a huge difference. City had 75% possession.
Second half – the match wakes up
Second half started exactly how City wanted it to with a second goal by Haaland. Cooper’s pass to Koch is a mess as Koch is unaware of it allowing Grealish to steal it. Awful defending. The class showed as City go 3-0 up counter attacking from a Leeds’ free kick. City’s one touch play in front of goal is frightening.
Marsch’s response is to shore up the defence and midfield with Klich and Ayling – two players looking to be on their way out of Leeds. Klich’s first contribution is to earn himself a yellow card by fouling Grealish.
Llorente and Gelhardt are on. Struijk gives Leeds some hope with a header in to the net from a Greenwood corner. 3-1. Final sub sees Gyabi come on for the last ten minutes. He makes an immediate and positive impression getting the ball forward.
The match ends with both teams looking for one more goal. Haaland had a one on one with Meslier blocking. Aaronson crossed into the penalty box to Gelhardt whose touch just goes inches wide. Rodri, who struggled with Gnonto all night eventually gets himself a yellow card.
Leeds showed enough spirit to show they can win other matches to stay up.
Man of the Match: Gnonto
Tottenham Hotspur 4 Leeds United 3 – another 4-3 thriller after the Bournemouth match last week but this time Leeds’ were on the receiving end. Again, our defense was exposed. After being in the lead three times Leeds have to defend better to protect their lead– that Left Back is needed in the January transfer window.
Gnoto earned a starting place as Harrison is injured, but only made it to half time due to being repeatedly knocked. Adams and Aaronson earned call up to USA national team in Qatar world cup. Tottenham Hotspur FC look to beat Leeds United again and reinforce their place in the top three.
Spurs started brightly causing corners but, out of nothing, Leeds fashion a goal. Meslier kicks the ball to Kristensen who passes to Aaronson who shakes off the Spurs defender and forward passes to Summerville who half volleys the ball in to the near corner of the net. Dyer is left flailing. Sommerville is proving a real threat in the penalty box.
Spurs use their pace in attack which is too much for Leeds Aaronson and Summerville link up again on 20 minutes but Lloris, this time, alert to Summerville and blocks the shot. Then Rodrigo is given the ball but he is offside and can only hit the post at such an acute angle.
The lead lasts only 20 minutes before Kane scores from a corner. VAR checks as Meslier is clearly leaned into and out of the way. A harsh decision.
Just before half time Leeds have a corner which is poor. The ball is headed out to Cooper who heads it back into the penalty box. Kristensen heads it forward to Rodrigo who volleys it hard into the net. A striker’s finish. Bizarrely, the camera allows the shouting of a Spurs “You’re f@cking shit, that’s why you play for Leeds,” to keep moaning while the corner is taken. Then we scored.
Richarlisen is having a frustrating afternoon – he almost equalises but the ball is kicked away before it rolls towards the net. Leeds have taken the opportunities given to them.
Second half – we can’t defend a lead
Spurs get the second half going with a goal equalising the score to 2-2. Cooper is better on the byline and Meslier with Kristensen are beaten at the second attempt. Leeds again caught out by the pace of Spurs’throw-ins. Spurs make a couple of defensive changes early in the second half as Leeds grow in confidence penetrating the defense.
Leeds have period of possession and take the lead for the third time in the match. An industrial tackle by Adams wins the ball on the half way line. Spurs players are livid a foul is not given. Adams crosses to Rodrigo on the left who sprints past the defender and manages a tight shot that beats Lloris. Another strikers finish.
Spurs pressure sees them equalise on 80 minutes. Leeds defending is poor as a cross into the box is headed out onto the edge of the box and booted back straight into the net. Then the fourth goal for Spurs shows Leeds’ defence at its worst as five Leeds defenders are nowhere near the Spurs players as they tap the ball into the net. To cap it all off Adams receives his second yellow card for a bad foul and is sent off. He is clearly tired.
Leeds more than matched Spurs for 80 minutes with Aaronson tirelessly pushing the Leeds attack forward. Then, in the space of barely two minutes we threw away the win, with a lack of concentration in defence.
Man of the match: Aaronson
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Leeds United 0 – Tuesday night Carabao ache. Leeds United youngsters fade against the veteran Wolves players.
The team is a mixture of experienced first team players who have fallen out of favour with Marsch – Firpo, Llorente, and Klich; and young players looking to make a difference – Perkins,Joseph, Hjelde, Gyabi and Gelhardt. Harrison, Klich and Ayling providing the mature heads.
So, with Wolves playing closer to a full squad under their caretaker manager, anything could happen.
Promising start for Leeds with three shots on target in the first four minutes. Harrison delivered the kind of dangerous free kicks and corners missing from his first team appearances.
Wolves rely on their big guns – Neves and Adama to create opportunities. Perkins and Gelhardt show their willingness to try for shots on goal. Wolves begin in to grow in the game forcing corners. Gyabi looks lively in the midfield.
A largely forgettable first half ends with Wolves taking advantage of Leeds not keeping possession in midfield.
Second half ache
Wolves start the more dangerous in the second half forcing Robles in to a desperate save. Leeds suffer the curse of recent first team matches – Marsch demanding the team push forward quickly but the players’ passes go missing. Worrying injury for Gelhardt seems him replaced early in the second half by Greenwood.
Game opens up with Robles forced into another stretching save from Wolves with Leeds immediately counter attacking but Perkins is tackled just as he is about to take a shot . Despite the pressure the Leeds defence show calmness in playing out from the back.
As the game drifts into boredom, Wolves look hungrier for the ball and Traore is found unmarked in front of the middle of the penalty box and smashes the ball into the net. With five minutes to go, penalties are no longer an option. Wolves ended the match looking for a second goal, with Leeds ran out of ideas.
Man of the match: Gyabi
Leeds United 4 – Bournemouth 3. Young guns. Shocking defending, frenetic football – Greewnood, Summerville and Gnonto save the day and light up Elland Road on Bonfire Night.
This match had the’Good’ – three young players changing the game in Leeds United’s favour; , the ‘Bad’ – woeful defending and missed goal opportunities; the ‘Ugly@ – the fans rightly booing at half time and then Bournemouth AFC going 3-1 up when the second half started; and the ‘Ecstatic’ – crafting a win out of near defeat.
The match was rollercoaster entertainment (unless you are a Bournemouth AFC fan) with a happy ending. At half time Leeds United looked dead and buried – that Leeds went on to win does not hide the defensive frailties and lack of goal scoring opportunities.
Leeds United had a dream start with a penalty in the first minute, first half collapse and fans booing, at half tme. Three goals in the second and a win dug out from a superb performance. It was frenetic and exhasuting.
Bamford and Sinisterrra were both injured which meant Leeds were going to rely on young players in the second half. Nonetheless, Joseph has earned through his performances a place on the bench.
It was the best start for Leeds with Summerville earned a penalty from a push in the box, which Rodrigo scored by way of a crafty run up. Early pressure after the Leeds scored was quickly nullified when Bournemouth score from a set piece corner for Bournemouth sees a flick on with a header on goal.
Then in under 20 minutes Bournemouth take the lead with Kristensen not closing down a long ball that Meslier saves but a second attempt is unstoppable as the player is unmarked. Bournemouth were then allowed to attack the Leeds goal with 7 attempts on goal and Leeds having not managed one since the penalty. Only Meslier kept the Leeds United in the game.
The frenetic pace of how Leeds United play has not been matched with attempts on goal. When the half time whilstle eventually blew the Leeds fans made their anger known to Marsch.
Second Half Inspired Substitutions
With the start of the second half Gnonto is on for Harrison, who, moved to right hand side had little impact on the game. In control of the play Bournemouth attack in numbers and appalling defending leaves Leeds 3-1 down.
Then Greenwoood replaces a struggling Roca and makes an immediate impact. Gnonto shoots and gets a deflection which goes out Greenwood who, outside the box, places his into the top corner of the net. It’s now 3-2.
Greenwood takes over corner duties and floats a perfectly placed corner to Cooper at the back who heads the ball down into the net. It’s 3-3. Elland Road is now buzzing with 20 minutes to go. Stacey comes on as a sub for Bournemouth is unmarked and just misses. The game is wide open.
Rodrigo’s shots are not hitting the target and he is subbed for Gelhardt. He is not happy. Gnotno then counter attacks with Summerville. A Sublime pass to Summerville who scores his third in three matches. It’s 4-3. Elland Road is rocking. Fireworks are going off. When the final whistle blows it’s a concoction of celebration and relief. It was only because of the impact of Greenwood and Gnonto coming on as substitutions, changing the momentum in Leeds’ favour, that Leeds United avoided ignominous defeat.
Marsch effectively admitted his weakness on defending when in his press conference he stated that if the attacking was as he wanted it then defence would not be a problem. In effect Billings ran Struijk ragged, Kristensen struggled with Tavernier. As Cooper and Koch defended poorly in this match Leeds United were left wide open.
Leeds United had four shots on goal all match. So they won the only because they took their chances. It is not an acceptable excuse after over six months for Marsch to complain he is still trying to change the team to play his way. Marsch is still very much in the last chance saloon. Without an organised defence and a more creative attacking plan Leeds will struggle this season.
Man of the match: Sam Greenwood
Leeds United went into this match under pressure, a manager under pressure, the team in the relegation zone with a string of poor performances. Yet again they dialled up their performance against a big team. It’s a huge moment of relief – to win. To beat Liverpool FC at Anfield.
Marsch’s changes to the team see badly performing players dropped – Bamford and Firpo. Summerville starts but Greenwood is dropped as Adams returns. Sinisterra is injured.
Leeds start with an early scare as Meslier comes out to collect a long ball from Allison but Cooper heads it over him, Salah tries to lob it but Kristensen heads it clear.
Rodrigo then scores an easy goal on four minutes. Mistake by Gomez who under pressure from Harrison passes back to Allison but Allison is out of position and slips allowing Rodrigo to touch the ball in to the net. Van Dijk is caught asleep.
Liverpool FC respond by peppering the Leeds United goal with crosses which they don’t clear. Salah scores on 14 minutes – poor defending again. This is an ominous moment as Leeds United usually crumble.
Liverpool attack by running wide and lobbing high so the ball drops into the Leeds penalty area and Liverpool flood the box. Leeds’ respose to the Liverpool possession is to counter attack through Harrison and Aaronson. Leeds play positively with their passing and getting the ball forward to Rodrigo. Harrison and Aaronson are formidable charging forward.
Leeds United nearly score when Kristensen crosses the ball into the box and Aaronson kicks the ball onto the crossbar. Harrison then forces a save from Allison. But Salah and Nunez test Meslier.
What we learn about Rodrigo is that while can shoot he should not drop deep – he cannot pass. One goes to Liverpool that nearly leads to a Nunez goal. And Harrison’s shots usually go over the goal.
Liverpool nearly score on half time when Robertson crosses into the box but a deflection by Koch nearly goes in.
Second half – it’s entertaining
Early on in the second half Rodrigo is replaced by Bamford. It’s practically all Leeds attacking in the first twenty minutes of the second half. Then a moment of madness as Cooper loses the ball in a Liverpool counter attack and Meslier save keeps Leeds in the game. Liverpool then have a period of intensity.
This is a key moment – can Leeds United keep their shape and intensity to absorb a late challenge from Liverpool? Bamford had a massive opportunity on 79 minutes but his first touch was poor – he still lacks that match sharpness. Marsch holds his head in his hands.
Finally we see Gnonto in a match – replacing Harrison on 70 minutes. Liverpool FC put pressure on in the last quarter with Firmino, Salah, and Nunez testing Meslier. Meslier has been a hero today.
Out of nowhere Leedsscore. Gnoto wins the ball and passes to Bamoford who passes to Summerville who controls the ball and beats Allison. Summerville has earned his place in the team. There are five minutes extra time which take even longer when Roberston kicks Meslier in the head as he captures the ball. More agony until the whistle is finally blown.
This was such an entertaining game. Liverpool FC had the possession and more shots, and more shots on goal. Meslier kept Leeds United in the match. Leeds’ defence is still too naive and needs to be smarter against set pieces – that is for Marsch to sort out.The amount of shots on target by Leeds in this match is probably more than their last six matches altogether.
Summerville’s energy is a force. Great tackling by Adams and Roca (we didn’t see before) – kept Leeds in control of the centre of midfield. Leeds have been awful in their corners wasting opportunities.
In the interview after the match Somerville is overawed by scoring at Anfield He is a day away from his 21st birthday. He describes this as a “big moment for me and my family”. The camera then goes a foot higher to interview Meslier. This is a very rare moment that Meslier has actually smiled playing for Leeds.
Marsch is sober in his estimation of the match. He knows his job is on the line and tonight is a massive moment. But he will have more knocks during the season in keeping Leeds out of the relegation zone.
Man of the Match: Meslier
Leeds United 3 Fulham FC 3. After a bright start Leeds are gradually pulled apart by Fulham FC. Marsch has not fixed the defence and how to score. He has had the signings and time to gel the players. Now is the time for Marsch to go.
Another raft of changes to the team with Marsch struggling to find a winning formula. On the plus side Struijk is back from injury. On the negative side Bamford is dropped to the bench. Summerville is also dropped and Greenwood is tried this time. Ayling has his first start which is a negative to me as Kristensen is one of Leeds’ best performing players.
Fulham FC may be in the top half of the table but our record is good against them. After a bright start by Leeds, with Harrison being busy on the right, and Greenwood having a speculative shot, Fulham get into the game with Wilian causing problems on the left. Fulham have an early moment with a clear close range shot on goal. Meslier is beaten but Roca slides in for a goal line.
Then Aaronson finds Harrison in space who takes on the keeper but a sliding tackle sends the ball high up by the goal, Rodrigo jumps higher than two defenders to head the ball cleanly into the net. No crazy dancing this time. A much needed goal from him after seven barren matches.
There was a slight delay on 22 minutes with a supporter injury. The game is quickly restarted but the fans feel it was too soon and give the referee some grief. Fulham FC then score from a corner from Mitrovic. A simple set piece with a glancing header in front of Meslier, beating Ayling.
The referee is having a good game. He sees a bit of play acting from Fulham and awards the free kick to Leeds United . But Leeds United should have gone down 2-0 on the half hour when, from a Leeds United corner when Fulham counter attack and Meslier makes a massive save. Fulham FC are fighting hard and taking the initiative, moving the ball quickly down the wings – Wilian is a handful.
The game opens up with end to end attacks. Sinisterra is threatening on the left but, after an earlier heavy tackle, goes down in theatrical style. Then Mitrovic is down and the final five minutes of the first half is a drag.
Half time, both teams are matching each other. Leeds United need to find that synchronicity of the first quarter of an hour with passes clicking together. Too many of Leeds’ forward passes are going astray. Sinisterra is the most inventive but Rodrigo’s last touch is letting him down. And again, we are not testing the the goalkeeper.
Second half shambles
Leeds start brightly with Rodrigo on target and Aaronson trying a lob. Fulham looking for the counter attack and Meslier is there to save Leeds again. Leeds finding the target in the second half. Summerville and Bamford on, on the hour. Rodrigo and Sinisterra off still struggling with his knock. Bamford is on 99 league goals.
Summerville and Aaronson pace show signs of getting the ball to Bamford who has shot saved. Another Fulham FC player dives with the assistant referee agreeing but the referee gives Fulham FC the free kick. Mitrovic free header goes wide.
The nail in the coffin comes from the second attempt on the corner and the Fulham FC score. Klich is brought on replacing Greenwood. Marsch’s tactics have seen Leeds United give away a lead. Then a thrown in from near the touch line Leeds to third goal for Fulham as they take apart the Leeds defence. Gelhardt is brought on for a pointless five minutes.
The crowd have had enough with Marsch with an angry atmosphere. Leeds’ future players Gelhardt and Summerville link up to run through Fulham defence for a consolation goal. Leeds United had more possession, more shots but were undone in defence. And are now in the relegation zone.
Man of the match: Sinisterra
A poor performance from Leeds United who were simply off the pace. Another defeat puts pressure on Marsch in how he is going to improve the worrying run of form with better passing and the crossing.
Four changes tonight, Liam Cooper, Jack Harrison, Rodrigo and the injured Pascal Struijk are dropped from the first team . Patrick Bamford finally starts, Crysencio Summerville, not quite 20 years, gets a big start too. Diego Llorente, and Junior Firpo both start. Cooper, Harrison and Rodrigo are on the bench, with Willy Gnonto also returning. Junior Firpo replaces the injured Pascal Struijk. Controversially, Somerville is chosen over Harrison.
Leicester City FC are sitting at the bottom of the table – this is a winnable match. The matches starts quietly without incident. Leeds United begin to search out opportunities with Sinisterra feeding Bamford.
Out of nowhere Roca loses the ball in our own half, refereee plays on from a foul, ball into the box and Koch stopping Barnes getting the ball pushes into our net. Leeds are behind on 16 minutes.
Llorente earns his return to the team by making two saving kicks in two minutes. Sinisterra shows his talent with a solo run and through the defence chips the ball over but hits the Cross bar.
Then Somerville in seeach of his first goal pla es it wide. Aaronson quiet, Leeds misss Harrison. Leeds torn apart on half hour as Leicester counter attack in numbers leaving Leeds defence standing with Barnes scoring again against Leeds. Leicester City bogey man for Leeds is Harvey Barnes, who keeps scoring against Leeds.
Poor first half for Leeds. They lack that bite they had against Arsenal. Roca and Adams not controlling midfield and Bamford not getting the service he needs with no shots on goal. Leeds have had their opportunities and not taken them. Leicester may have been limited to one shot on target but they took it as well as creating dangerous moments in front of goal.
Second half – all effort no reward
Change to Leeds in the second half – Cooper on for the struggling Koch and Rodrigo on for the ineffective Roca. Leeds create opportunities from the start but no goal. Leeds denied a penalty of a back pass as Somerville and Rodrigo create danger in the Leicester box.
Bamford swapped for Harrison with Sinisterra becoming the striker. Nervous moment when Rodrigo passes back but misses his player and Leeds nearly concede a third.
Leeds may have the possession but keep losing it. This shows in the lack of shots on target yet again. Gelhardt given last 20 minutes in place of Sinisterra. For the last ten minutes the disrupter Klich is brought on replacing Firpo. Leeds have created the corners but too many have been collected by the keeper Ward.
Marsch’s body language shows the match has ebbed away from Leeds. Leeds may have limited Leicester City to one shot on goal (which they scored) but the midfield have again showed an in ability to create chances for the forwards to score. Another defeat. Another misfiring performance.
Man of the match: Sinisterra
Crystal Palace 2 Leeds United 1 – room for improvement. Leeds badly missed the predatory presence of the suspended Sinisterra today. While Bamford made his first start he is still rusty in front of goal. He relies on crosses up to him but the fast pace of the game meant he rarely connected with the ball today.
The two teams have met twice this year, once last season in the Premier League and once in a summer friendly in Australia.
Whilst there is clear game plan for Leeds from the beginning with high pressing, quick direct passing and set piece free kicks it is not yet working. There are two key areas Marsch needs to work on.
Firstly, is the lack of shots on goal. This was again evident today. Even with Bamford starting the quality of the final ball was persistently lacking. The number of shots on and off target under Bielsa was always impressive so it can be done.
Secondly, the lack of consistency in the performance. Leeds were the better side until the first goal today. After that Palace gradually took control of the ball and used their pace down the wings to score. Twenty minutes is not good enough. Under Bielsa Leeds battled for the whole of the match and scored many goals in extra time. That focus today seemed to be lost as if the players don’t know how to play the Marsch way for a full 90 minutes.
Leeds started positively with a nervous early moment for Palace as their keeper is chased down with the ball but too many touches by Leeds cost them a shot. Leeds high press, and swarm around the Palace players. This worked well as they win the ball and force Palace to look for space behind the Leeds back four to get the ball to Zaha.
Early pressure earned Leeds the first goal of the match. Aaronson went on a crazy run, fouled twice but dribbled his way through Palace defenders into the box, beats the keeper but hit the bar. Struijk is perfectly positioned to shoot into the goal nutmegging a Palace defender on the way.
Another crazy moment on 12 minutes when Harrison chased the Palace keeper and claims the ball but Leeds unable to control the ball that Harrison floated in to the box.
But a Palace set piece free kick saw the match change. Edouard got ahead of Kristensen to head the ball in. Until then Leeds had dominated the match. Leeds should have gone ahead again but Bamford in one on one with the keeper tamely poked it into the keeper’s hands.
A dire second half
So we started the second half with Sky Sports commentators blatantly supporting Palace to win: “Leeds will run out of gas and Palace will score.”
Palace grew in the second half to find ways in with Meslier tested. Zaha found more space from Krestensn. Leeds lost their focus and never really got back to how they played at the start – the lack of shots on goals is a worry. Summerville, and Klich didn’t impact the game when they came on as subs. Gelhardt should have replaced Bamford much earlier than 82 minutes – the game was almost lost by then, apart from one final foray into the box. Palace were there to be beaten but the players lacked the cutting edge.
Harrison and Aaronson combined well on free kicks (with various hand signals (patting of the head) but ultimately neither Bamford nor Rodrigo got their head on the ball. Kretensen and Struijk started strongly in defence but were gradually outpaced by Zaha.
Despite early decisions going well by allowing play to continue when there is an advantage the referee managed to get it completely wrong when a Palace player fell over his own feet when being chased by Gelhardt. The timewasting by Palace and calls for fouls worked their wonder on the referee.
Man of the match: Struijk
Leeds United 0 Aston Villa 0. A scrappy intense match with kamikaze aggression. Poor discipline led to a backs against the wall performance.
It has been 29 days since our last match against Brentford FC which we lost badly 5-2. Leeds need this match with Captain Cooper back to settle their defence and not fall back into the problems of last season. Last time Aston Villa FC beat Leeds United 3-0.
Gnonto replaces out of form Gelhardt on the subs bench. The fans will look forward to seeing him as an impact player. Rodrigo is the forward although Bamford could have started – still too soon?
In form Struijk is rightly chosen over the dodgy but fit Firpo. And Marsch is in the terraces due to his red card. Aston Villa have had a poor start to the season but did beat Southampton in their last match.
After early pressure Leeds begin to move players around but their passing is loose. Rodrigo has one long range effort but can’t connect with crosses. Aston Villa claim the first shots on target by Coutinho. Leeds tested the Villa defence but don’t get shots on target.
The football is frantic- neither team composed on the ball and playing with intensity to force each other to lose the ball. Leeds play aggressively and give away a few free kicks in to the their penalty box which Villa are dangerous. Yellow cards are being handed out for late tackles and dissent.
It was proper physical battle in the first half – fouls breaking up the play. Leeds lacking the final shot – the game is crying out for Bamford to get on the end of the crosses.
Second Half Second Card
Terrible start to the second half. Sinisterra commits a stupid mistake blocking a free kick, gets a yellow card and is sent off for a second card. Immediately Villa take the offensive and hit the cross bar but Watkins cannot control the rebound.
Leeds are rattled from the sending off and the fouls keep coming. Roca is subbed and not happy, with Firpo on to add an extra player in defence. Further changes to protect the draw with experienced Ayling, and Bamford on as Leeds have not had a shot on target in the first hour.
Despite being a man down Leeds have a rare attack on goal with Bamford shooting Leeds’ first shot goal but Aaronson can’t quite connect the rebound. Klich comes on to bring his experience and Sommerville for impact. Klich knows his job- waste time.
It’s desperate stuff at the end with Villa just having a go at goal. Meslier keeps Leeds in the match with a key save late on. Then Bamford again takes on VIlla. We needed Marsch when we went a man down but managed particularly well. We were unlikely to score but after a man down we stopped them from getting a shot on goal.
Sinisterra did lots of assisting but didn’t get opportunities to shoot. The sending off was avoidable. Roca and Adams were the engine in the midfield that are making Leeds stronger going forward. Meslier had a poor game missing too many punches. Much improved performance by Kristensen on the right in defending.
Stuart Atwell, the referee, was poor today. He too quickly dished out yellow cards in the first half, after which there was no turning back when the fouls kept coming.
A lack of discipline cost Leeds today – one red and too many yellows will lead to players missing future matches. Going down to ten men prevented us from having a chance to win today.
Man of the match : Bamford