Premier League
Leeds United 1 (Calvert-Lewin 78’)
Brentford 1 (Schade 40’)
Leeds: Trafford (GK), Bogle (James 68’), Ampadu (C), Muharemović, Rodon (Elvedi 34’), Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson (Wilson 46’), Bijol (Tanaka 46’), Stach, Okafor (Nmecha 68’), Justin. Subs not used: Cairns (GK), Gudmundsson, Longstaff, Gnonto.
Brentford: Kelleher (GK), Schade (Henry 88’), Thiago, Sangaré, Anthony (Ouattara 61’), Ajer, Collins (C), Lewis-Potter (Malick Diouf 88’), Damsgaard (Yormoliuk 69’), Janelt. Kayode (Hickey 88’). Subs not used: Valdimarsson (GK), Wilson, Carvalho, Schuster.
Venue: Elland Road | Attendance: 35,971 | Referee: Tony Harrington | Booked: Anthony, Ajer, Janelt, Collins (Brentford)
Leeds United continued their impressive unbeaten start to the new Premier League campaign with a hard-fought draw against Brentford on home soil.
A goal down at the break, Dominic Calvert-Lewin showed his predatory instincts late on to poke home an equaliser in front of the Don Revie Stand, in what was a much-improved second half display from the Whites.
Ahead of kick off, Daniel Farke named one change to the side that beat Nottingham Forest away from home in the top-flight opener, with Noah Okafor replacing Harry Wilson on the flanks.
Before the action got underway, both sets of supporters came together for a poignant moment of reflection as we remember those in the Leeds United family we have sadly lost over the previous 12 months.
Elland Road was a cauldron of noise as the encounter began. United enjoyed an early venture forward down the left flank when a burst of pace saw Okafor dart beyond his opposite number and cross dangerously towards the onrushing Jayden Bogle but the visitors managed to clear their lines.
Then, down the other end, England international James Trafford was forced into an important intervention, standing firm to parry Igor Thiago’s rasping half volley away from danger before diving to clutch Nathan Collins’ glancing header.
Approaching the quarter of an hour mark, the goalkeeper was again called upon, denying Mikkel Damsgaard’s powerful drive from just inside the area.
With Brentford enjoying a spell of possession, Tarik Muharemović made a crucial defensive header to clear a dangerous Damsgaard delivery. Bogle then threw himself in front of a Mamadou Sangaré follow up.
Last weekend’s matchwinner Anton Stach then had to race back as the visitors broke, diving at full stretch to prevent a low cross reaching a black shirt.
An enforced change in the first half introduced Nico Elvedi into the action for the Swiss international’s Elland Road debut, replacing Joe Rodon who made way through injury.
Brentford took the lead through Kevin Schade’s inventive flick into the far corner in the final meaningful action of the opening period before Tony Harington’s whistle sounded.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 0-1 Brentford
The Whites emerged from the break having made two changes to the personnel. Harry Wilson and Ao Tanaka entered proceedings, replacing Brenden Aaronson and Jaka Bijol in a slight alteration to the system.
Farke’s side were on it from the off as they searched for a quickfire leveller. A delivery to the back post found Okafor who curled towards the far corner, only to be denied by Kristoffer Ajer’s retreating header.
Leeds still had to be wary of the Bees’ threat, however, and Damsgaard went close as he rushed onto a looping ball and powered over the upright.
The hosts were beginning to see much more of the ball as they looked for an equaliser, backed by a fine noise from the Elland Road faithful.
A superb cross-field pass by Bogle picked out the run of opposite full-back James Justin who drove towards the edge of the area before drilling a fierce low strike that Caoimhín Kelleher did well to tip around the post.
Further activity from the dugout brought Lukas Nmecha and Daniel James on. The Wales international was immediately involved, meeting a half-cleared ball on the edge of the away team’s penalty area but was crowded out.
Moments later, the substitutes combined as the German released James with a clever flick. Charging deep into opposition territory, James lifted the ball over Kelleher though he dragged the deft chip narrowly beyond the upright.
Leeds deservedly drew level with just over 10 minutes of normal time remaining. Skipper Ethan Ampadu flashed an enticing delivery across the face of goal which Nmecha met, taking a touch to evade the defender. The forward squared for Calvert-Lewin who had the simplest of tasks to bundle home, cueing great scenes at Elland Road!
From the restart, Brentford would have retaken the lead if not for a fine diving save by Trafford to claw Thiago’s close-range header off the line with the Brazilian poking the rebound wide.
The Whites had chances to snatch all three points towards the end yet the Bees’ defence stood firm until the final whistle sounded, continuing Leeds’ unbeaten start to the new Premier League campaign having taken four points from the opening two encounters.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 1-1 Brentford
