Leeds Player Ratings - Wigan 1 - 2 Leeds

Leeds United inflicted a 1st home defeat of the season on Wigan Athletic at the DW stadium, in Wigan’s final game before Dave Whelan sells the club. The result sees Marcelo Bielsa’s side return to the top of the league.

Leeds had another poor start. Joe Garner went down easily from a Liam Cooper tackle (one of many examples of shithousery on his part) and Reece James, on loan from Chelsea, scored a good free-kick. Leeds were not behind for long through as Pablo Hernandez finished off a good move involving Barry Douglas and Mateusz Klich for the equaliser. Leeds bossed the rest of the first half but without creating a clear-cut chance, Adam Forshaw and Hernandez having the best efforts.

Leeds went 2-1 ahead after a minute of the second half. Hernandez with a cross that was far too close to the keeper, but Christian Walton’s monumental cock-up gifted the ball to Kemar Roofe (who showed good striking instincts to be alive to the possibility of a mistake) who had a tap-in from a couple of yards out. Leeds remained on top for the entire game but couldn’t extend the lead, Hernandez going closest when he hit the post in stoppage time.

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 - Recce James free-kick was well-placed, but to me BPF’s set up of the wall left a bit to be desired, this made him go too far across his goal for a starting position. Good early punch away from a corner. After that, nothing to do. Distribution was solid all game. 6/10

Stuart Dallas - Solid enough first half but not very involved. Linked up with Hernandez well a few times, particularly in the second half. No errors to speak of. A good start to what could well be an extended run at right-back. 7/10

Pontus Jansson - Had a decent chance but headed over from a Douglas corner, would back himself to hit the target. Did well in the air as you would expect and made a couple of good tackles. 7.5/10

Liam Cooper - Gave away the free-kick for a foul on Joe Garner for Reece James’ opener, Cooper will be annoyed as there was a clearer foul by Garner on Cooper in the build-up. After the goal, Had a similar game to Jansson but made a couple of small errors that were well tidied up. 6.5/10

Barry Douglas - Poor pass to give the ball away in a dangerous area which lead to the free-kick. Sloppy start. Made up for it a couple of minutes later with a great pass to release Klich to set up the Hernandez goal to make it 1-1. Had a strange opening 25mins with 3 or 4 really good passes and good set-pieces, balanced out by 3 or 4 occasions of giving possession away cheaply in bad areas.

After that first 25mins, cut out the errors and kept the positives. Second half, quieter but still impressive. Picked up a late yellow card. His passing into the middle from wide positions is something that Leeds have missed, as well as his set-pieces. 8/10

Kalvin Phillips - First half, not a great deal to say. Tidy in possession and didn’t need to be as all-action as he often has been this season. Best work came without the ball. Did good work in midfield and dropped into the defence well when neccessary. Not much action to pick out but another really good performance. 8/10

Adam Forshaw - Good effort from 25 yards midway through the first half, well-struck but too central. Made a few good interceptions throughout, reading the game well. Involved heavily in the move where Leeds hit the post at the end. Final ball/first touch in key areas could be better and there were a couple of sloppy passes he would want back. 6.5/10

Mateusz Klich - Excellent run from deep to get on to Douglas’ pass and showed great composure to wait and find the pass for Hernandez to make it 1-1. One of many great runs he made from deep that created openings for Leeds. Final ball/first touch in key areas was sometimes lacking. Looked tired the last 10mins. 7.5/10

Pablo Hernandez - Almost put Alioski through after only a minute with a great lofted through ball. Did well to find space in the box afor a tap-in to make it 1-1. Managed 6 kick-ups in the Wigan area before finding a little lofted ball that was inches away from being met by Roofe. Had another good effort on his left foot having cut inside Kal Naismith.

Provided the cross for Leeds’ 2nd goal but can’t get the assist as it was just a goalkeeping mistake really. Got booked for time wasting when he kick a ball up the line that was already out, seen that 50 times this season and it was never a yellow card on any occasion. Hit the post in stoppage time after a lovely move., it was a good save from Walton to be fair. One of a few on the end some rough treatment from the Wigan players.

Although I gave Hernandez, Phillips and Douglas the same rating, I think Hernandez just takes the MOTM award. 8/10

Ezgjan Alioski - Had a right-foot cross tipped wide as it nearly curled in at the far post. Looked frustrated first half, wasn’t playing great and also was fouled 3 or 4 times without the referee calling any of them. Found a quality ball to give Hernandez a chance on the volley but not that involved in the second half either. Had the ball with Leeds 3 on 2 at the end and could have shot or passed. Did neither till it was too late. Almost had an assist when he played Hernandez though who hit the post. Fair to point out he was up against Wigan’s best player in Reece James. 6.5/10

Kemar Roofe - Couple of good moments in opening 25mins. Able to beat a man on a couple of occasions but his shot was blocked/his cross didn’t quite find the target. Not as involved as he would like to be in the first half. Got on the scoresheet after one minute of the 2nd half, making the most of Walton’s error to tap the ball home. Right time, right place, sign of an in-form striker. Had a decent effort wide of the left post from the edge of the box. 3 games in a row where he hasn’t been at his absolute best, but got a crucial goal. 7.5/10

SUBSTITUTES

Jamie Shackleton (For Klich, 90mins) - Almost scored but his effort following Hernandez hitting the post was accidentally blocked by Roofe. Nice to see him play CM. Not on long enough to give a score. N/A