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Leeds United produced a much improved performance to claim a 1-1 draw away at Brentford.
Leeds deserved to take all three points but were undone by yet another horrendous error from Kiko Casilla. The one-time Spain goalkeeper let a backpass go under his foot allowing Said Benrahma a tap-in, before Liam Cooper got Leeds level.
You know what? Good performance and good point, which is more than a lot of us expected here. Should feel much better for that. And Frank can park the whole 'they fear us' line. Comfortably the better team. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) February 11, 2020
The first big chance came Leeds way. Jack Harrison won possession just outside the Brentford box, he ignored a simple pass to square it to Bamford, and instead cut inside to beat two players, but his right-foot shot was a very weak scuff that barely reached the goal.
Harrison then got in behind after an excellent one-two, this time he put in a good cross but Jeanvier cleared it well at the near post. Leeds won a corner and Ayling had a header on target from it but it was from a long way out and easy for Raya in the Brentford goal.
Cristian Norgaard went close with an effort from the edge of the box but in truth Leeds were playing quite well despite there not being much in the game.
Then, Kiko Casilla happened again. A simple backpass to him, lets in run straight under his foot, tap in for Said Benrahma. Marcelo Bielsa may be the best coach in the world but sometimes he is wrong and we are all right, drop Casilla.
Kiko Casilla #LUFC pic.twitter.com/26hIDjcr7n
— Second Tier Podcast (@TheSecondTier) February 11, 2020
Pablo Hernandez had a good left-footed volley tipped over by Raya just before the half hour mark before Luke Ayling made a good block to deflect a Benrahma effort over the bar.
Leeds then got back on level terms from a set-piece - which is unlike us. A corner was swung over by Jack Harrison and Raya came for it, it wasn’t cleared properly and fell to Liam Cooper who finished well.
Helder Costa headed a good Stuart Dallas cross over the bar from a tough angle but that was the only effort of note before the half-time whistle.
Gotta applaud the lads for that first half display, after going behind to that. We're way on top & i think Phillips is the difference. All about who scores next. Come on Leeds! #lufc
— Rod Christopher (@rodchristopher9) February 11, 2020
Leeds had the first effort of the second half, Luke Ayling having a shot from distance. However, it was from an awkward height and he didn’t generate any power.
Ayling then had to do some good defensive work to clear after a bit of a scramble from a Brentford corner. Before Kiko nearly Kikoed again but running straight underneath a long clearance which could have gifted another goal to the Bees, but he recovered in time to grab it.
The first clear opening of the second half came just before the hour mark. A great one-two between Helder Costa and Patrick Bamford got Costa in down the right. He found Klich whose cross was blocked and fell back to Costa with a great chance, but his finish was weak and straight at Raya.
Partick Bamford had a couple of efforts over the bar for Leeds, and was a bit more involved in build up play as the second half went on. Leeds were getting to the stage where you could call them dominant.
Got to make this happen. So dominant.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) February 11, 2020
There was a lengthy stoppage as Stuart Dallas went down injured, Jack Harrison dropped in to cover and got caught wrong side of Bryan Mbeumo, giving away a free-kick on the edge of the box. Fortunately, his free-kick was blocked well by the wall.
For all Leeds possession, there wasn’t enough chances. Hernandez had a late volley deflected over the bar and Leeds forced a lot of corners but Raya wasn’t forced to make tough saves. In the end, Leeds had to settle for a point.
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
Kiko Casilla - Came flying off his line to clear well when Brentford tried to get Benrahma in behind. Then.... KIKO WAS KIKO. Let the ball under his foot from a simple back pass, leaving Said Benrahma with a tap-in. Came out for the ball early in the second half and ran straight under the ball, nearly gifting Brentford another goal, fortunately he recovered to dive on it. Fortunately, Brentford didn’t make him do much - but that was still too much for him. 3/10
Excellent performance from Leeds. Completely dominated/stopped Brentford but Kiko Casilla simply cannot continue in goal! #lufc https://t.co/jkHDP0HxSO
— BielsaCarajo (@carajo_bielsa) February 11, 2020
Luke Ayling - Had a solid first half where he got up and down well. Produced an excellent cross to give Bamford a chance early in the second half. Defended well against Said Benrahma which is one of the toughest assignments for a full-back in the league. 7/10
Ben White - Looked so much more comfortable to be back at centre-back. Good throughout. 7/10
Liam Cooper - Got his first goal of the season to make it 1-1. A goal that will do him the world of good having missed a few chances this season. Defended well throughout, both centre-backs looked better for being together - and having Phillips in front of them again. 7.5/10
38' GGGGOOOOAAAALLLL!!! LIAM COOPER EQUALISES FOR #LUFC!!! 1-1 pic.twitter.com/S5Gpzeo0RW
— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 11, 2020
Stuart Dallas - Did well throughout and looked more comfortable than he does in central midfield. Linked up well with Jack Harrison. 7/10
Kalvin Phillips - His return to the side made a huge difference to way Leeds tick. His switches of play out to Harrison in particular were always a threat in the first half. Won the ball well throughout the game. Best player on the pitch. 8.5/10
Kalvin Phillips is a different gravy, England will greatly benefit from him being a Premier League player.
— Ram Srinivas (@rramesss) February 11, 2020
Helder Costa - Went close with a decent header from a tough position. Had a great chance just before the hour mark but his finish was weak and straight at the keeper, showed no conviction. Had been fine but then with 10-15 minutes left his performance level really started to drop, giving the ball away with poor choices and poor execution. 5.5/10
Costa’s last 5-10 months have been poor. https://t.co/pb4rCO8DDv
— hc (@indianasc0nes) February 11, 2020
Mateusz Klich - Particularly impressive with his pressing, was solid throughout. Some good pieces of skill to get away from his marker on several occasions. 7/10
Pablo Hernandez - Had a good volley tipped over by Raya and another deflected over, not at his creative best, looked more dangerous when he drifted to the right. 6/10
Jack Harrison - Had the first chance of the game but his effort was very weak, he should have done a lot better. Then showed good pace to get in down the left for a good cross which was defended well. Put in the corner for Liam Cooper’s goal - he probably has but I don’t remember him taking one this season before that. More of the same in the second half, lots of energy and got in behind well but final ball wasn’t good enough. 6.5/10
Harrison's so good then he gets in the final third and then forgets he's a footballer. Sometimes you've just to hit it if you've no options. #lufc
— Ants (@AntsTheGamer) February 11, 2020
Patrick Bamford - Not on the ball as much as he’d like but pressed well and made good runs in the first half. Had his first chance from good Ayling cross but his header went over. Good interplay with Costa lead to an excellent chance. Solid performance. 6.5/10
Bamford worked hard and put a shift in. He just doesn't look a threat. You can tell by JKA runs and movement off the ball that he's played at a much higher level. Just needs to keep getting the minutes in. #lufc #MOT
— Chris Lee (@Chris1014Lee) February 11, 2020
SUBSTITUTES
Jean-Kevin Augustin (for Bamford, 75mins) - Never got in to the game really but what he got chance to do he did fine. 6/10