Leeds United jury on Brentford draw with ‘take a point’ verdict, ‘curious refereeing’ & Dominic Calvert-Lewin praise
The YEP’s Leeds United jury give their verdict on another decent Premier League point at Brentford.
Leeds United earned another important point from behind after drawing 1-1 at Brentford on Sunday. A brilliant header from Dominic Calvert-Lewin cancelled out Jordan Henderson’s 70th-minute opener in a game that lacked attacking edge.
Here’s what the YEP’s Leeds United jury thought of it.
Neil Grewer
Once again Daniel Farke has ticked the "tactical" and "ability to change a game" boxes as Leeds left London with a point which was the least they deserved.
Leeds were tight and functional in the goalless first half, employing a rigid 5-3-2 formation and looking dangerous on the break. The second period saw Leeds start to dominate but, against the run of play, Brentford scored when Jaka Bijol unluckily deflected a Jordan Henderson shot over the outstretched leg of Lucas Perri.
Farke responded by replacing Bijol and an ineffective Ao Tanaka with Brenden Aaronson and Willy Gnonto and switching to more of a 4-3-3. Soon, a Gnonto cross was headed home superbly by Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Leeds had further chances although nothing clear cut, but a draw was a credible outcome which, save for some inconsistent refereeing, could have been better still.
The point-a-game target is being achieved and Leeds are difficult to play against, being so flexible in formation and possessing an in-form striker. However, squad depth is not great. Also, no bookings; good news with several players close to a ban.
Man of the match: Ethan Ampadu (calm, commanding, controlling).
Andy Rhodes
At the end of a pretty low-quality 90 minutes, both Leeds and Brentford will probably accept the point.
Both sides will be frustrated that their game plans didn’t work as hoped but the most frustrating thing from a Leeds perspective was that three points were there for the taking.
Brentford didn’t look like a side with the fourth-best home record in the division; Leeds just couldn’t find more ways through them.
It was also a curious refereeing performance. The Brentford penalty, only overturned owing to an offside, looked very soft, while a similar challenge at the other end went unpunished.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin always had the potential to be a talismanic signing and another goal here will only raise his confidence further. It was good to see the travelling fans sing his name once again.
The festive fixture list isn’t quite as hectic in the Premier League but Daniel Farke will need to keep his preferred starting XI fit to see his team through to January.
Man of the match: Jayden Bogle.
David Watkins
Another battling performance from Leeds that keeps the recent momentum going, and that was the most important target for the day.
Unbeaten in three (and a half!) games now, and some fine performances in that run. Brentford dominated first-half possession but created less than Leeds did, although both keepers had one solid save to make.
Noah Okafor blasted one straight at Caoimhín Kelleher and hooked another over the bar, and that was pretty much it for the first 45.
In the second half, the possession was much more even - although the Bees still edged it - but Leeds were even more dominant in terms of shots and chances created. Hence, it was somewhat against the run of play that Brentford grabbed the lead. It was another poor piece of defending from Leeds then Jaka Bijol miskicked his attempted clearance to Jordan Henderson, and he stabbed the ball past Lucas Perri.
This Leeds team will not give up though, and it was the recently rejuvenated Dominic Calvert-Lewin, rising to head home a lovely dinked cross from Willy Gnonto, that earned Leeds a well-deserved point. Four goals in the last four games for DCL, long may it continue.
Man of the match: Gabriel Gudmundsson.
Keith Ingham
There usually isn’t much to smile about when Leeds travel to London; today was something to smile about - a well-deserved point in an enthralling contest.
It wasn’t a classic by any stretch but the way Leeds came back from going one behind is credit to all involved.
The first half had a couple of chances for Noah Okafor but he was foiled by Caoimhín Kelleher and another cross failed to find Jayden Bogle at the back post. Leeds had a scare when Gabriel Gudmundsson clashed with a Brentford player but, after a long delay, VAR ruled offside, overturning the referee’s penalty decision. 0-0 at the break.
The second half Leeds started really well but, against the run of play, Brentford went in front, two of their substitutes combined to give Jordan Henderson a chance, his shot deflecting off Jaka Bijol and past Lucas Perri.
Daniel Farke brought on Brenden Aaronson and Willy Gnonto for Ao Tanaka and Bijol and both were involved straight away, Aaronson making Kelleher save at his near post and Gnonto crossing to DCL who scored with a superb header. Ethan Ampadu was inches away from giving Leeds a win.
I liked this performance and Leeds were well worth a point. Well done lads.
Men of the match: Joe Rodon at the back, DCL in attack.
Mike Gill
This was not a very exciting game but that doesn't matter.
What counts is that Leeds United added another precious point to their tally and maintained momentum against a team that had previously gathered 17 of their 20 points at home. The Whites dominated in all areas except for possession in a dour and uncompromising performance.
As well as dealing with their opponents, they had to cope with an overactive and inconsistent VAR system but, thankfully, it didn't end up working against them. The game seemed to be heading for a goalless stalemate when a defence-splitting through-ball from Mikkel Damsgaard set up Jordan Henderson's deflected goal on 70 minutes.
Rather than deflate United, the goal seemed to galvanise them and Dominic Calvert-Lewin's headed goal from Willy Gnonto's fine cross was a thing of great beauty. Leeds are now beginning to look like a tough nut to crack away from Elland Road as well as at home.
With a few small adjustments in the January transfer window, they should be able to look forward to the second half of the season with increased confidence.
Man of the match: Ethan Ampadu.