Find out how Leeds United’s players rated against Brighton in today’s Premier League clash
Daniel Farke, Manager of Leeds United(Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
Leeds United never do things the easy way so the 1-0 stoppage-time win over Brighton & Hove Albion closed the home season in typical fashion.
An attritional game ended with Leeds pouncing on a defensive error to see Dominic Calvert-Lewin score his 15th goal of the season deep into injury time to grab the full three points.
Leeds began the season at home with a late 1-0 win and ended it with one, with safety secured. It stretches their unbeaten Premier League run to eight games.
A languid first half was only punctuated towards the end when Karl Darlow was forced to parry away a fierce Pascal Gross shot before Jan Paul van Hecke somehow headed over from three yards out with the goalkeeper floored.
The second half was marginally better with shots flying in from Wilfried Gnonto and Anton Stach, the latter of whom had to be taken off on a stretcher with a leg issue. His Germany World Cup squad hopes could now be dented.
Here are how the Leeds players rated.
Karl Darlow – Long kicking was more-or-less accurate. Dealt with the danger that came his way, including a very good save from a swerving Pascal Gross shot on the cusp of half time. Clung on to rasping efforts in the second, making up for a few flappy moments. 8
Daniel James – Was targeted defensively again initially and had to be on his guard, often guided by Daniel Farke. Managed to fizz in a few shots up the other end, and was quite creative. 7
Joe Rodon – Managed to bully away most things that came into his path. Powered up the right multiple times in the second half. Crumnching tackle on Diego Gomez in added time. 8
Sebastiaan Bornauw – Got his body in front of a Brighton shot in the box early on. Did his job and won a few headers while sending a ball for Calvert-Lewin to latch on to. 8
Jaka Bijol – Strudy, aside from his slicing of the ball narrowly behind for a corner in the second half. Had the better of his striker and produced a great late block. 8
James Justin – Played a lovely through-ball into Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the opening minutes. His clumsy losing of the ball almost led to a Brighton goal in the second. 7
Ethan Ampadu – Seemed to always take up the right positions, both on and off the ball. This was summarised by him heading the ball away from the line after half time. 8
Ao Tanaka – Didn’t see too much of the ball. Was bypassed for large periods. Not a great game overall. 4
Anton Stach – Set-pieces were OK without leading to much. Fired a twisting shot over the bar not long into the second half. Leg landed awkwardly not long later. Took two corners but then came off on a stretcher. 7
Brenden Aaronson – Did well to win some duels but also dallied on the ball too long at times. Had to go off with a muscle problem. 6
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – Won some of his duels, but not the majority. Managed to get Brighton back-tracking just before the break, when a defensive richochet almost supplied an own goal. File his goal next to the dictionary definition of ‘poacher’. 7
SUBS
Sam Byram (90′ for Bornauw) – Came on for final nine minutes of his Elland Road career. Too little time for a proper rating, but what a club servant. N/A.
Sean Longstaff (60′ for Tanaka) – Put himself about and added stability. 6
Wilfried Gnonto (60′ for James) – Tracked back well and powered a shot wide. Got a vital flick-away header late on. 7
Joel Piroe (72′ for Stach) – Bent a shot just past the post not long after coming on. 6
Lukas Nmecha (60′ for Aaronson) – Harried and hassled, which led to a handful of chances. 6
MANAGER: Daniel Farke – Chose to use James as the makeshift right wing-back again and it bore out in a clean sheet. Questions over why he allowed Stach to play on, but must have been a player directive. Was a status-quo type of game for Farke. Gave Byram a sentimental send-off. In keeping with his season mantra, stayed in the game while always keeping a chance of winning it. 7
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