Leeds vs Brentford Match Report

In a game that felt like Leeds were facing twelve men, the Whites left it late to draw with promotion contenders Brentford.

Leeds started the game with five senior players on the injury list and you could feel that the Whites missed the final spark of a Hernandez or Roofe as they failed to make key passes in the final third.

Stats:

- Brentford haven’t won a game in their last five fixtures.
- Leeds have only lost 1 home match against Brentford in their last 13 fixtures (7W 5D 1L)
- Leeds Team News; Douglas (hamstring), Roofe (calf), Hernandez (hamstring) and Berardi (knee) out injured.
- Brentford Team News; Said Benrahma and Ollie Watkins set to return.
- Leeds haven’t won consecutive league matches against Brentford since Dec’ 1950
- Brentford winless in seven away league games (3L 4D)

Form:

Leeds: DWLDW
Brentford: WDLDD
Against Brentford: DWLLW
At Home vs Brentford: DLDWW

Lineups:

Leeds: BPF, Ayling, Jansson, Cooper, Dallas, Phillips, Klich, Harrison, Saiz, Alioski, Roberts
Subs: Blackman, Pearce, Baker, Foresaw, Shackleton, Clarke Edmondson

Brentford: Daniels, Odubajo, Mepham, Konsa, Dalsgaard, Yennaris, Mokotjo, Canos, Sawyers, Watkins, Maupay
Subs: Bentley, Macloed, McEachran, Judge, Benrahma, Jeanvier, Barbet

The Game:

Although both sides are known for their free-flowing attacking play, the game was hampered by stop-start delays due to a referee that many feel should not be officiating at this level.

Leeds starting well and their high pressing football looked to cause some anxious play by the Brentford backline but the home side were unable to capitalise, misplacing several passes.

The first clear cut chance however came for the visiting side as Ollie Watkins deflected effort crashed against the upright and left Bailey Peacock-Farrell scrambling to stop a rebounded effort from Neal Maupay.

The home sides first clearcut chance came just before the stroke of half time when the ball was worked several times around the box before finding Samu Saiz, the Spaniard failed to open his season goal account with an effort just over.

The second half started with the referee continuing to give suspicious decisions to Brentford including a free kick just outside the area as Sergi Canos bundled himself to the ground with very little attention on him. Pontus Jansson was booked for a foul that didn’t occur and Luke Ayling for telling the ref what actually occurred.

Leeds then went close as Liam Cooper’s continued areal threat was found but his header was parried to Kalvin Phillips who hit the post with a very spritely effort.

The epitome of incompetence came as Brentford were handed a penalty as Ollie Watkins took a leap of faith over BPF prior to being touched. Maupay took and scored the penalty before deciding to celebrate in front on the Leeds fans, a mistake he surely won’t make again.

A fan captured the clear dive by Watkins

The home side then changed gear and within minutes of eachother Cooper found space for a header but couldn’t convert and Roberts couldn’t find the net with a deft flick to the near post.

Lewis Baker was introduced and nearly made an immediate impact with a free kick that was inches away from making the score level.

It wasn’t until the 87th minute when Leeds got what they deserved as Pontus Jansson found himself free from a beautiful freekick by Alioski, nodding the ball across the goal and wheeling towards the kop to celebrate.

Leeds had a glorious chance to take all three points when Alioski played the ball in for Baker, but his header fell inches wide of the post.

A well fought game against a good side. With a proper ref Leeds would have had this game in the bag, we enter the international break third.

By Ryan Ingham