Sport: Disappointing draw for dominating Leeds United
LEEDS UNITED had to settle for a 1-0 draw at home after dominating West Brom for a large portion of Saturday’s Championship match at Elland Road.
The Yorkshire side were searching for their first win of the season with manager Daniel Farke, but it was Wilfried Gnonto’s absence that was the talk of the evening — the winger is trying to force through a move to Everton before the transfer window shuts
West Brom opened the scoring after the ball appeared to ricochet off the arm of Brandon Thomas-Asante, before Luke Ayling saved Leeds’s blushes with a header.
Ahead of kick-off, Gnonto’s name rang out among the home support, very much in negative terms.
Leeds made use of the fervent atmosphere. Sam Byram made a neat run inside the box, before turning his man and spraying a ball just beyond the far post of Alex Palmer, inside six minutes.
Inside 14 minutes, Daniel James tested the Baggies goalkeeper again with a low strike, but the 27-year-old reacted well and parried it away.
Ten minutes later, Jamie Shackleton’s shot took a deflection and hit the post before being cleared, as Leeds upped the pressure.
After the break, West Brom got their first real chance of the game as Jed Wallace forced Illan Meslier into a save at his near post. Then West Brom snatched the lead in a controversial fashion as Jayson Molumby’s strike hit the arm of Thomas-Asante before heading into the back of the net on 52 minutes.
Leeds finally found a goal via their captain Ayling, who headed home a nice delivery from Dan James inside 72 minutes.
Georgino Rutter’s shot then went inches wide for Leeds deep into injury time.
Farke said after the draw that he did not wish to hear about Gnonto or any transfer speculation until after the game was played.
“So I didn’t have any information today because I told everyone: ‘Come on, leave me alone until after the press conference’,” he said.
“Yes, I have to speak with all key people, so I don’t comment right now on any rumours or speculations or possible news anyhow, I wanted to be just there for our lads today who are here and available because I’m going to help together with our supporters, to dig in and grind out results.”
Leeds United’s transfer plans are likely to be aided by what Premier League managers intend to do with some of their fringe players this month.
Daniel Farke’s Whites have so much business to do in the final two weeks of the transfer window, but what they do might hinge on who is actually available.
Three of Leeds’ four signings thus far have come from Premier League clubs who deemed these players surplus to requirements, and with the top-flight season now underway, more could be on the market.
