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Leeds United remain unbeaten in the Championship following a 0-0 draw against Tony Pulis’ Middlesbrough.
Neither side did enough to win the game and I would suggest this was a fair result. The match was fairly attritional, but neither side gave in defensively. This assures both sides will go into the International break in the automatic promotion places, with Leeds top of the pile.
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 - Dealt with crosses well whether he was catching or punching. Made three good saves denying Jonny Howson, Daniel Ayala (who was a shithouse all game), and Britt Assombalonga. A very good clean sheet. 8/10
BPF gets better and better with every game he plays #lufc
— Armo ☀️ (@Jordan_Armo) August 31, 2018
Luke Ayling - Had a header cleared from just in front of the line which was probably Leeds’ best chance. Played a few more sloppy passes than we are used to seeing (the case for a few players tonight). Solid performance without reaching his standards. 6/10
31' Big chance, Douglas delivers and Ayling heads on goal, but Clayton clears off the line
— Leeds United (@LUFC) August 31, 2018
0-0 | #LEEMID
Gaetano Berardi - Battled valiantly against Assombalonga. Didn’t win anything in the air really but that is to be expected with the height differential. Picked up a yellow card for a tackle from behind. Left the field with an injury following a good performance. 7/10
Credit to Berardi tonight Bielsa could have started Jansson because of his aerial threat but stuck with Berardi and he was class #lufc #warrior
— Luke Hallas (@luke_hallas) August 31, 2018
Liam Cooper - Had more aerial success than his CB partner and had a good game on his return to the side. Both he and Berardi can be happy with their night. 7/10
Liam Cooper: "To a man today we defended well, first ball, second balls. I think there was only one team that was going to score in the second half and it felt like it was going to be us. The lads were great and it's disappointing not to come away with three points." #lufc pic.twitter.com/BObZNPCgyK
— Lee Sobot (@LeeSobotYEP) August 31, 2018
Barry Douglas - Much like the rest of the defence, solid in open play. Most dangerous situations for Leeds came from set-pieces. Had a late chance from a free-kick which was well struck but straight at Darren Randolph. 6.5/10
90+6; Douglas attempt towards top, right hand corner is saved by Darren Randolph. #LUFC #Boro
— Breathe It Sport (@SportBreathe) August 31, 2018
Kalvin Phillips - Another who was solid but not spectacular. Kept hold of the ball well but was unable to fully control the midfield area. Offered good protection to the back four all match. 7/10
Really impressed with Kalvin Phillips again tonight. At times he’s a lone wolf in the middle when Klich and Saiz do their thing, and against the most experienced midfield I’ve seen for a while he really stepped up. For me the most improved player currently #lufc
— Charlie Sopp (@soppy13mot) August 31, 2018
Jack Harrison - Leeds did miss Pablo Hernandez but this was an improvement on Harrison’s two Carabao Cup starts. A few nice touches without getting away from his marker enough. Kept looking for the ball, was one of the better Leeds players in an attacking sense. 6.5/10
Thought Phillips and Harrison were exceptional but some very good performances too. Very happy #lufc #mot
— lucas kel (@kel392) August 31, 2018
Mateusz Klich - Worked hard in a tough midfield battle. Leeds didn’t break through the lines often but Klich got in behind with a couple of good runs which lead to corners. Wasn’t able to drive the team forward as much as he has in other games. 6/10
Samu Saiz - One of the days where his decision making left a lot to be desired. Boro did a good job of marking him. Not awful, but not at his best. 5/10
Don’t get the Saiz hate, yes he had an off day today, but name me a player in the last 5 years or so whom can change a game like him? #LUFC
— King Billy (@LeedsUnited97) August 31, 2018
Ezgjan Alioski - Got on the ball a fair amount and dropped back to cover at left-back well. Another who was let down by his end product and failed to time his runs on a few occasions. 6/10
Kemar Roofe - Worked hard but got no real service. Not a great deal to say. 5/10
Kemar Roofe has put a shift in tonight! #LUFC
— David Archbold (@Dave_Archbold) August 31, 2018
SUBSTITUTES
Pontus Jansson (for Berardi, 88mins) - Was solid enough on the ball and had one excellent clearing header from a set-piece. Not on long enough to give a score to. N/A
Patrick Bamford (for Roofe, 90mins) - Not on long enough to score. N/A
Stuart Dallas (for Harrison, 90mins) - Not on long enough to score. N/A