Sky Bet Championship
Leeds United 1 (Firpo 9’)
West Bromwich Albion 1 (Furlong 39’)
Leeds: Meslier (GK), Bogle, Firpo, Struijk (C), Rodon, James, Rothwell, Piroe, Aaronson (Joseph 72’), Solomon (Gnonto 79’), Tanaka. Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Ramazani, Guilavogui, Byram, Schmidt, Debayo, Gruev.
WBA: Wildsmith (GK), Furlong, Styles, Bartley (C), Molumby, Swift (Diangana 69’), Heggem, Price (Fellows 83’), Johnston (Dike 83’), Mowatt, Armstrong (Grant 69’). Subs not used: Griffiths (GK), Holgate, Diakite, Lankshear, Bany.
Referee: Farai Hallam
Booked: n/a
Venue: Elland Road
Attendance: 36,705 (1,969)
Leeds United returned to home turf against West Bromwich Albion in a Sky Bet Championship kick-off on Saturday lunchtime, taking a point away from a hard-fought encounter.
Daniel Farke’s side came into the match on the back of two last-minute victories against promotion rivals Sunderland and Sheffield United and were now looking to remain focused against the Baggies, who sat in fifth position.
Tony Mowbray’s side arrived in West Yorkshire with confidence of their own. The away team were comfortably inside the play-off places ahead of the game and would be looking to add to their points total.
When the game got underway, as usual a packed-out Elland Road welcomed the Whites onto the pitch, and saw their side take an early lead!
The Baggies had come close first though, after John Swift had connected well with Adam Armstrong’s low cross into the box, but the midfielder put his shot just wide of the post.
From the next cross of the game, Dan James found himself on the left and whipped in a pinpoint ball for Junior Firpo to rise highest and brilliantly head home, repeating the same combination which worked so well in the previous outing.
The game had seen a quiet spell since the goal. With 30 minutes played the next chance arrived, but for the visitors. Armstrong was again the player who broke the backline and after a good save from Illan Meslier inside the box, the ball was then cleared away by Pascal Struijk.
However, shortly before the break, West Brom did equalise from a set-play. Swift played a deep free-kick to the back of the box and found Darnell Furlong, who placed his header with accuracy into the far corner. That sent the teams in level at the break.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 1-1 West Bromwich Albion
Within a minute of the restart, the Whites had two good chances. Manor Solomon created room in the box, but his strike was deflected behind. From the resulting corner, James connected well with Joe Rothwell’s delivery, but flicked a header just over.
The atmosphere was ramping up inside Elland Road, with the home fans backing their side as always. Set-play opportunities were the main openings, as Rothwell’s corners regularly caused issues.
Leeds pushed forward again as James received the ball in the area, controlled and shot, only to see it well blocked. On the follow up, Ao Tanaka collected the ball and shot low, seeing his strike deflected behind for another set-play, which was then dealt with.
With the score still level and 20 minutes to play, Farke went to the bench. Mateo Joseph was brought into the forward line, in place of Brenden Aaronson.
Instantly looking to make an impact, Joseph went on a mazy solo run, beating the Baggies defence who looked to stop him, before smashing his effort onto the crossbar.
Down the opposite end, Meslier was then forced to make a good stop. Mikey Johnston picked up the ball in a good area and opted to shoot, from which the ‘keeper denied him well.
After a well contested match, the whistle sounded to signal full time, meaning each side went away with a point.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 1-1 West Bromwich Albion
