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Leeds United fought back to earn a 1-1 draw with Brentford FC at Elland Road.
FULL TIME: The referee brings the game to an end, and #LUFC are able to wrestle a point following a dramatic second half
— Leeds United (@LUFC) October 6, 2018
1-1 | #LEEBRE pic.twitter.com/kQzq2xIJsj
The first half was an even affair but Brentford had the better chances. The visitors then took the lead through a Neal Maupay penalty following what can only be described as “a blatant dive” from Ollie Watkins.
Pontus Jansson talking to Sky Sports: "It's shit to be fair." Then asked to mind his language. "I don't care, This was a robbery from the referee so it feels bad. Do you think it should be happy? No chance." #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) October 6, 2018
This terrible decision was only one of what felt like 50 poor decisions from referee Jeremy Simpson who looked like he had never seen a football match before. Luke Ayling was sent off following two harsh yellow cards, particularly the second one. This, after Moses Odubajo (who was already on a deserved booking) was not given a second yellow card for a foul on Jack Clarke. Bees manager Dean Smith substituted Odubajo immediately because he knew he should have been sent off. That on top of Sergi Canos headbutt on Ezgjan Alioski which went completely unpunished.
For that referee, I will once again go to my favourite Arsene Wenger quote:
— Mighty Whites Pod (@mightywhitespod) October 6, 2018
"I believe he is incompetent or dishonest, so I prefer to believe he is not competent"#lufc #MOT
Leeds managed to get onto the front foot and grabbed an equaliser with a header from Sweden international Pontus Jansson. On the balance of the football, I think a draw is a fair result. However, the refereeing performance really makes this result feel very harsh on Leeds who, to use a cliche, were against 12 players for long periods.
Leeds completed just 69% of their passes today, our lowest percentage in a single game in 2018/19. Also enjoyed 54% possession, the lowest share at home since the opening day win against Stoke (52%). #LUFC
— LUFCDATA (@LUFCDATA) October 6, 2018
Time now to look at each player and how they performed. As always you can tell me how wrong I am @mightywhitespod or @ThruItAllLUFC on twitter.
STARTING LINE-UP
Bailey Peacock-Farrell - Made several simple saves and a couple of very good ones. The save low to his right to tip Neal Maupay’s effort round the post was particularly good. His “foul” for the penalty but he doesn’t lose any score because it was, as said above, “a blatant dive”. 7/10
Apparently this is a penalty? Referee is an absolute disgrace #LUFC pic.twitter.com/W5WLlFNG46
— Joe Catling (@JoeCatling19) October 6, 2018
Luke Ayling - Not a good day for Ayling. His passing was not up to the standard you expect from him and getting sent-off, although it was harsh, never helps the rating. Struggled at times against Tom Daley Ollie Watkins and wasn’t able to have the impact in attack he normally would. 4/10
Fair result. Very poor refereeing! #lufc I’ve been critical of Ayling, now someone else has an opportunity and that will show me, if he is one of the very few weak links, I think we have. #mot ⚽️
— Jason Barrett (@Jase6100) October 6, 2018
Pontus Jansson - Has been really good for a few matches now. Today, probably his best performance of the season. In the 3-0 home win against Preston he was imperious and today he was every bit as good if not better. Plus, he scored Leeds’ equaliser with a good header to beat keeper Luke Daniels.
Pontus Jansson vs. Brentford:
— LUFCDATA (@LUFCDATA) October 6, 2018
73% pass acc.
58 touches
37 passes
7 aerial duels won (most for Leeds)
6 interceptions (most for Leeds)
6 clearances (most for Leeds)
4 ball recoveries
3 tackles won
1 chance created
1 blocked shot
1 shot
1 goal ⚽
Outstanding. Big equaliser. pic.twitter.com/papWMOCGvO
Won everything in the air and was great in the tackle. He read the game excellently to make some crucial interceptions when Brentford could have caused some problems. His passing was really good as well. Was already going to win my Man of the Match award before he scored and now just wins it more comfortably. Brilliant performance. 9.5/10
What a header from Jansson
— jay (@kaIvinphillips) October 6, 2018
#lufc pic.twitter.com/aHtxd3CPgW
Liam Cooper - Passing was a bit sloppy at times and played Leeds into trouble needlessly on too many occasions including in the build up to the penalty which was, once again, “a blatant dive”. Overshadowed by his CB partner today. 6/10
Cooper's performance today shows how important Douglas is to us. Basically, no left back, no Cooper. #LUFC
— The Chris Knowles (@TheChrisKnowles) October 6, 2018
Stuart Dallas - Playing in a much less natural left-back role and did an ok job of it. A couple of times he got caught a bit out of position. Got kicked up in the air early and following that had a 10 minute period where his defending improved. Offered very little in an attacking sense. 6/10
Bielsa praises Dallas who was injured in training yesterday in such a way that most players would have missed the game. “He showed physical courage:” #lufc
— Adam Pope (@apopey) October 6, 2018
Kalvin Phillips - Didn’t see the best of Phillips today, one of a few who played “alright”. Some strong tackling in midfield and his passing was ok without being up to the standards set earlier in the season. Only an amazing save from Daniels preventing him getting his first goal of the season from close range. 6.5/10
Very impressed with Phillips. Again. Always feels nice to say that. #LUFC
— ETHAN (@EthanFromOnline) October 6, 2018
Jack Harrison - Not able to get on the ball enough, not always his fault as some of his better runs weren’t found in the first half. When he did get on the ball he was unable to beat his man, or to produce anything really creative. Not his best day. 5/10
I reckon Jack Harrison could cushion an egg falling from space, into one of those putting machines, whilst sat down. #LUFC
— Samuel Bepys (@SamuelBepys) October 6, 2018
Mateusz Klich - Found it tough against Romaine Sawyers and particularly Kamohelo Mokotjo (who was really good in the Bees midfield). Conceded a few free-kicks, most of which were not fouls. Got knocked about a bit and lost one of his contact lenses. Battled gamely but not at his best. 5.5/10
Klich loses a contact lens, Jansson says it how it is, a dodgy penalty, Alioski gets headbutted, Orta loses it, a late leveller and Ayling gets sent off. Quiet Saturday lunchtime. ♂️ #lufc
— Joe Urquhart (@JoeUrquhartYEP) October 6, 2018
Samu Saiz - Had a decent left-foot effort at the end of the first half but this was one of his quietest game for a while. Didn’t show enough while he was on the pitch. Second half he put in more work as he increased his chasing down and won a couple of headers. 5/10
We really need to come out guns blazing after the international break. We should have an almost full strength squad. Hernandez will get the best out of Saiz again and Roofe will be raring to go #lufc
— PontusTheory (@Pontus_Theory) October 6, 2018
Ezgjan Alioski - When playing on the left-wing, he did fine but no better. Link up with Dallas wasn’t as fluid as it is with Barry Douglas, but did cover Dallas well a couple of times. Then, he moved to left-back during the second half where he was really good. Made 5/6 excellent tackles in key defensive areas and showed good pace to get across when Brentford nearly went clean through on the counter attack. Put some good deliveries into the box and got the assist for Jansson’s goal. If Douglas is still injured for the Blackburn Rovers game after the international break, this was a good argument for Alioski to replace him. 7.5/10
Gjanni Alioski vs. Brentford:
— LUFCDATA (@LUFCDATA) October 6, 2018
71% pass acc.
65 touches
34 passes
8 ball recoveries
7 tackles won (most on pitch)
6 chances created (most on pitch)
4 successful crosses (most on pitch)
1 assist
Massive performance from him today. Excellent on and off the ball. #LUFC pic.twitter.com/OcmL9HflWC
Tyler Roberts - Had to drop deep to get on the ball a lot but did that fairly well. Hold up play was well but he didn’t have the goal threat you would hope to see. 6/10
I really really like Roberts his movement and first touch is different class, he has some career ahead of him. #lufc
— George Daniel (@georgeLUFC11) October 6, 2018
SUBSTITUTES
Adam Forshaw (for Klich, 63mins) - Passing was accurate without being penetrative. Solid enough but won’t be enough to force his way ahead of Klich. 5.5/10
Different match after Forshaw & Baker came on & Alioski went to left-back. Colossal from Pontus, a Herculean effort today. Disappointing to miss out on 3 points due to a dive but Brentford worthy of a point. #lufc
— Tommy (@tommy_lufc) October 6, 2018
Jack Clarke (for Dallas, 70mins) - Played right-wing and looked comfortable with senior football. Didn’t give the ball away and produced some neat footwork on a couple of occasions. One good driven cross. Nice to see him finally make a deserved first team debut. Odubajo fouled him twice immediately and should have been booked for both. 6/10
A good point today in a hard game and a dream come true for me today to make my debut for @LUFC pic.twitter.com/wEO13qcgmh
— Jack Clarke (@JackClarke09) October 6, 2018
Lewis Baker (for Saiz, 76mins) - Went close with a free-kick which was his first touch. Gave the ball away a bit too much. Similar to Saiz as most things he tried did not come off. 5/10
Really impressed with Lewis Baker’s impact today. Sparked us back into life #LUFC
— MJ (@elland_toad) October 6, 2018