Leeds 2-1 QPR: Leeds Player Ratings

Leeds United scored a penalty(!) in their 2-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers today at Elland Road. A brace from Kemar Roofe paced Leeds to victory after the club had gifted QPR a goal in the first half for the visitors from West London to take an improbable lead.

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Cheers.

STARTING XI

Baily Peacock-Farrell, GK:

Not at fault for the only goal against as the defenders in front of him made a total meal of the clearance and someone with the experience of Nakhi Wells would not make a mistake when presented with an open goal like that.

Did well late on to deal with some long balls lumped into the box once QPR had sent on Matt Smith. 7

Barry Douglas, LB:

Had some dangerous set pieces, and came up and got more involved in the attack, especially in the first few minutes as Leeds put QPR under a lot of pressure. Angel Rangel made a few advanced runs down the left-hand side of the Leeds defence, and perhaps Douglas could have done better to deny those. 6

Kalvin Phillips, CB:

Showed his inexperience as a defender on the QPR goal by allowing Wells to get onto that ball. Seemed to lay back after getting burned by Wells. Not the worst outing you’d ever seen from a CB at this level, but not up to the standards he’s already set for himself. 5

Pontus Jansson, CB:

Made a mistake trying to cover for Phillips, but it was excusable as he was trying to cover for a less experienced teammate. You wouldn’t have expected him to make a similar mistake with Cooper at the back. Dealt with the aerial threat from QPR on set pieces and late on as well. 7

Jamie Shackleton, RB:

Looked great early on, getting involved in the attack and putting some decent balls into the box for some of the early chances. Had to work back a bit more as the game went on, and didn’t appear as dominant in the 2nd half as QPR adjusted to cover him. 7

Adam Forshaw, CM:

Saw some opinion split on Forshaw, but he did play well, especially in the second half as Leeds started to control the match in possession but without bombing into the QPR box. Had another solid match as the defensive midfielder, but Phillips always seems to play that position better. 7

Pablo Hernandez, RW:

Seemed to wear down a little bit at the end. Started on the left as Marcelo Bielsa put Alioski on the right to try and help out Shackleton defensively, but moved to the right in the first half. His shot on goal in stoppage time ended up as an assist and he had a magnificent shot accidentally blocked by Roofe in the first half. 6

Samu Saiz, CM:

Was involved early on, springing other players for chances, including setting Roofe up for a chance that was totally fluffed. Faded as the game progressed, and was sacrificed for a defender late on as Halme came on. 6

Mateusz Klich, CM:

Much like Forshaw, was better in the second half as Leeds looked to control the match while QPR tried to claw their way back into the match. On another day, would have converted one of his shots and been hailed as a hero. 7

Gjanni Alioski, LW:

Just a poor performance from the winger. Started out on the right wing to assist the youngster Shackelton, but was moved to the left as Rangel had made a few runs down the right. Was pretty ineffective. 4

Kemar Roofe, ST:

Missed a number of good chances, but converted one of the most difficult chances he had for the initial goal. Did well to convert the penalty as well. Maybe not the best day out for Roofe, but he did score two goals, and that’s nothing to sneeze at. 7.5

SUBSTITUTES

Aapo Halme: (81st minute for Samu Saiz)

Brought on to deal with long balls into the box and as Phillips was started to be targeted ever more by QPR. Did well enough. In limited time on the pitch. 6

Jack Clarke: (86th minute for Pablo Hernandez)

Almost had a breakaway late on if he hadn’t fouled his marker. Probably not on long enough for a rating, but still had a solid 10 minutes or so. 6