Leeds Player Ratings: Leeds 0 - 1 Wolves

Leeds United produced a good first half before their performance dropped off and came away with a 0-1 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Elland Road. A Raul Jimenez shot which took a massive deflection from Kalvin Phillips giving Wolves all three points.

Leeds had the better of the first half but failed to create a clear cut chance, Rodrigo having the best one after chesting the ball down at a corner. Wolves were barely a threat but had the biggest chance of the half in stoppage time when Daniel Podence had an effort saved by Illan Meslier.

Second half Wolves started better and thought they had the lead through an excellent Romain Saiss finish, but VAR saw an offside. Then Podence forced Meslier into another good save.

Wolves did take the Leeds with a huge slice of good fortune as a weak Raul Jimenez shot took a massive deflection from Kalvin Phillips’ head to put them 1-0 ahead. Leeds then got more of the ball as Wolves dropped back but never looked like getting an equaliser.

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

Illan Meslier - Nothing to do in the first half barring one good punch clear until stoppage time when he made a good save to deny Daniel Podence. Denied Podence again 10 minutes into the second half. No chance after the deflection for the Wolves goal. 7/10

Luke Ayling - Got forward really well in the first half, very harshly booked in the opening 15 minutes. Quieter in the second half, as most were. 6.5/10

Robin Koch - First few touches were excellent bringing the ball out from the back, stood out as excellent in the first half. One poor header which lead to Romain Saiss finding the net, but VAR saved Leeds. Very impressive performance. 8/10

Pascal Struijk - In as a late replacement for Liam Cooper and was faultless up until the Wolves goal. He slipped in the build which I can’t blame him for, but he then let Raul Jimenez inside too easily. 7/10

Stuart Dallas - Linked up well with Jack Harrison. On the goal allowed Jimenez to turn twice without making a challenge. 6.5/10

Kalvin Phillips - Did all the “Phillips things” in the first half but wasn’t nearly as good in the second half where his passing seemed to be a long way off target at times. Unlucky to deflect Jimenez’s shot in, didn’t need to go for it but that is instinct and hard to prevent. 5.5/10

Helder Costa - Looked dangerous early, able to beat his man well. Drifted out of the game as it went on and was pretty anonymous by the time he was substituted. 5.5/10

Mateusz Klich - Popped up in space well and used the ball well when he did. Kept trying to get into good areas. 6.5/10

Rodrigo - Looked dangerous and had Leeds’ best chance in the first half but he hit it straight at the keeper. 6.5/10

Jack Harrison - A few excellent crosses from the left side and got free on the edge of the box at a couple of corners. As the game went on the standard of his crosses dropped and he became less effective. 6/10

Patrick Bamford - Had one disallowed early, correctly, for offside. Couldn’t get on the ball enough although he kept making his runs. 6/10

SUBSTITUTES

Ian Poveda (for Costa, 71mins) - Not the impact we saw against Manchester City. 6/10

Pablo Hernandez (for Struijk, 75mins) - Got on the ball a lot and tried to start attacks. Some nice passes but nothing much came from it. 6/10

Raphinha (for Harrison, 82mins) - Nice to see him get a debut but a couple of crosses that didn’t find their target were all we saw. N/A