Leeds Player Ratings - Leeds 1 - 0 Las Palmas

Leeds United returned to Elland Road after the summer for their final senior friendly, the visit of UD Las Palmas.

The first half had very few chances aside from two Las Palmas free-kicks which hit the bar. The second half Leeds improved and late on Kemar Roofe managed to grab the side a winner. Result doesn’t really matter but I am glad to see a clean sheet following the two seven-goal friendlies which preceded today.

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 - Couldn’t get near the two free-kicks that hit the bar. No saves to make really. Distribution was good. 6/10

Gaetano Berardi - Did fine, couple of good tackles, couple of sloppy passes. 6/10

Kalvin Phillips – Played as centre-back instead of just dropping into the defence as he had earlier in pre-season. Picked up a yellow card after 15 minutes when he came flying out of the defensive line while Las Palmas were breaking. 7/10

Liam Cooper - Looked nervy at times in the first half, gave away a free-kick from which Las Palmas hit the bar. A few passes going astray, one in particular that was meant for Vieira could have caused real problems. 5.5/10

Luke Ayling – Started out looking a threat as usual in this pre-season, created Leeds’ best early chance for Roofe with a cross from the right. Had a quieter second half, had a decent header from a Dallas cross but could only force a simple save from the Las Palmas goalkeeper. 7/10

Ronaldo Vieira – Had a poor opening 10 minutes where he gave the ball away far too much for a player in his position. Never got going really. Substituted at Half-Time. May have happened regardless of performance having been only starter to play against Guiseley on Thursday. 4.5/10

Stuart Dallas – A bit of a struggle in the first half. Couldn’t get into the game in the same way as Ayling on the other side. Also looked more vulnerable defensively, particularly to runners in behind him. Later in the half, had a decent effort blocked from a long way out and played a good ball into Roofe but he lost the ball on the edge of the box. Made a real mess of a header from a long Las Palmas clearance and the ensuing issues lead to Liam Cooper giving away a free kick on the edge of the box, from which Fidel hit the crossbar (for the second time).

Second half, much brighter start from him, started running at the opposition which caused them problems. Won a free-kick on the edge of the box which Hernandez hit the target with but it was saved. Put in a good cross for Luke Ayling later in the half. With about 10 minutes left he lost the ball as the last man following a Leeds corner but to his credit he got back in well and in the end it was defended comfortably. 6/10

Pablo Hernandez - Couldn’t get into the game in the first half. A few tidy passes but nothing penetrative. Had a free-kick tipped over the bar by the keeper early in the second half. Moved more central second half and was more effective for it. Had a good touch in the box which lead to a very good handball shout that we all be more mad about not being given had it not been a friendly. Beat the Las Palmas number 34 with 10 minutes left and had both his shirt and shorts pulled in the box but nothing was given. 6/10

Samu Saiz – Opening 30mins was a lot like the end of last season for him. Got into a couple of good positions but either couldn’t find the final pass, or made the wrong decision. Could well not start against Stoke based of this. Subbed at Half-Time 5/10

Ezgjan Alioski – Was a bit quiet, put in a good cross for a Kemar Roofe header that was deflected wide after about 40minutes. Made a couple of good runs in behind second half but the cross-field passes didn’t find him. 5/10

Kemar Roofe – Had a big chance after 19 minutes, Ayling got in down the right and produced a great cross. Roofe stretched inside the 6 yard box but couldn’t convert the chance. Also had a decent header deflected wide from a corner.

Second half was more of the same until the 86th minute. Hernandez’s corner was flicked on by Phillips to Roofe. Roofe took a very good touch and then turned the defender excellently before curling the ball inside the near post with the outside of his right-foot. A goal always helps the rating. 7/10

SUBSTITUTES

Mateusz Klich (For Vieira, HT) - Made a tidy start, some solid passing and defensive work. Much calmer than Vieira was in the deeper midfield role. When he got forward there was some nice work too, including an excellent reverse ball for Lewis Baker that took out three players. 7/10

Lewis Baker (for Saiz, HT) - Much more energy than Saiz in his first 10 minutes but a similar amount of end product. Much more willing to run in behind. He moved to the right and that freed up a bit of space for Hernandez to move central. Was taken off again so hopefully whatever knock he picked up is not too serious. 6.5/10

Tyler Roberts (for Alioski, 64mins) - Didn’t show a great deal once he came on. Looked slightly more of a threat than Alioski though. 6/10

Jamie Shackleton (for Baker, 87mins) - Not on long enough to score, but I will say he has had an impressive pre-season. N/A