Match Report: Jeers turn to cheers as Struijk strikes late

Maybe, just maybe this game sums up a less than satisfactory 2021/22 season. The 1-1 draw might save Leeds from relegation, it may not but endeavour hasn’t usually been questioned it more application that has been levelled at both Bielsa and Marsch’s teams but Struijk’s injury time leveller showed that they kept going until the final whistle, not all the time but today they did.

Jessie Marsch brought in Joffy Gelhardt, Junior Firpo and Mateusz Klich into the staring X1 for the suspended Dan James and Struijk and Bate who dropped to the bench.

Leeds should have been in front early doors but an acrobatic shot from Gelhardt struck Liam Cooper right in the face as the Leeds captain was stood near the goal line. It kind of sums up the luck Leeds have had this season. Gelhardt had two efforts and Harrison another but none worried Sanchez.

The opening goal came from a Leeds forward move, Rodrigo had the opportunity to release Harrison but dallied and within 60 seconds it was at the feet of Welbeck and he beat Meslier with a chipped shot into the corner of the net on twenty minutes. Brighton were ripping Leeds apart down the left hand side and could have added further goals from McAllister, Grob and Welbeck.

Welbeck 1-0

Mateusz Klich came so close to giving Leeds a leveller near the break when he worked an opportunity to shoot that seemed to get a little of Sanchez’s glove and a lot of the far post.

Leeds playing a 4-1-4-1 formation looked better with Raphinha hugging the left touch line and Harrison wider on the right. Phillips in his more favoured holding midfield role seemed more happier and was definitely more involved than against Chelsea.

The second half Leeds had to move Brighton on the back foot, a thing they did and if it wasn’t for Sanchez they would have been in front. The keeper keeping a Klich effort out and superbly saving a Raphinha free kick that was destined for the top corner. Brighton should have put the game to bed when Welbeck headed wide from two yards out.

Leeds brought on Shackleton for the struggling Koch, Struijk came on for Firpo who had a better second half and Greenwood surprisingly replaced Klich who I thought was having a decent game. The substitutions brought mumbles from the crowd which turned in the last ten minutes to chants in support of ex coach Bielsa and asking the owner to sell up and go home.

A twist would happen in injury time, Llorente put a ball that found Gelhardt. The youngster showed sublime skills to beat a couple of defenders before sending a ball to the back post. The head of Pascal Struijk met the cross and he headed it down and into the net via a defender’s leg. Cue scenes of joy from all around the ground and a few tears from me. It could be a really important goal as both Burnley and Everton lost their games.

Struijk!!

Incredibly Leeds have scored in the 91st, 92ed, 93rd, 94th, 95th and 96th minutes of games this season. Quite an achievement and shows they keep going to the final whistle.

Jesse Marsch: "Our goal was to get three points but we knew any points and Burnley losing could shift the pressure the other way. Burnley have a match in hand but to fight and stay in the match especially in the second half when we were quite good. We were a bit unlucky not to come away with more.

"The first corner we had our chance but the way it's going it hits our own player in the face and prevents it being a goal. The first half we couldn't settle. Our confidence on the ball wasn't good enough. And our pressure was all over the place. That meant Brighton caused us trouble. We tried to be more compact after 30 minutes and from there we pushed the game really well.

"This is a psychological battle. We have to stay strong and show up next weekend and be at our best. When we are put in difficult situations you can see the resolve of our team. But we need to show that in the beginning of our matches. It's a fight and nothing comes easy. We dig holes and then have to dig ourselves out. But we're ready to invest everything in our last match and see if we can do this."

Graham Potter: “In the first half we created some really good opportunities. We had lots of good play, good opportunities and got into the final third and the box a lot. But, in fairness, in the second half Rob [Sanchez] had to make a couple of good saves, so I wouldn't begrudge Leeds their point.”

The game had ended and Kalvin Phillips took the family for a kick about on the field as the crowds ebbed away and tried to put a smile on Raphinha’s face who was slumped against a post at the Kop end of the ground. It is hoped that both are kept if Leeds manage to stay in the Premier League.

Make Me Smile

It’s hard to ‘love’ a season that has seen the departure of an icon who was Marcelo Bielsa and a team that failed to move on from the 9th placed finish the season before.

Man of the Match: Pascal Stuijk

Attendance: 36,638.

MOT

By Keith Ingham