Leeds United 3 (Struijk 10’ pen, Gnonto 46’, Aaronson 90’)

Portsmouth 3 (Sorensen 23’, Lang 42’, 90’ pen)

Leeds: Meslier, Bogle, Firpo, Ampadu, Struijk, Rodon, Mateo, James (Piroe 71’), Joseph (Bamford 79’), Georginio, Gnonto (Aaronson 71’), Gruev (Rothwell 71’). Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Byram, Gelhardt, Wober, Crew.

Pompey: Norris (GK), Williams, Towler, Shaughnessy, Ogilvie, Pack (C), Dozzell (Moxon 74’), Lane (Ritchie 83’), Lang, Silvera (Devlin 45’), Sørensen (Saydee 63’). Subs not used: Archer (GK), Swanson, Stevenson, Lowery, Whyte.

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 36,432

Referee: Oliver Langford

Booked: Rodon, Struijk (Leeds) Lang, Dozzell, Ogilvie, Towler (Pompey)

Leeds United began their Sky Bet Championship season at home to Portsmouth on Saturday lunchtime, in a match that swung both ways throughout the 90 minutes.

Coming up against the newly-promoted League One champions from last season, Daniel Farke’s side faced a stern test, and left it late to take a point from a six-goal encounter.

The Whites got off to a quick start and inside the opening seven minutes of the match, they had three opportunities to open the scoring, all of which were denied by the woodwork in front of the South Stand at Elland Road.

Georginio Rutter was the first to break through the Pompey defence, he played it across the box and found Willy Gnonto, who saw his deflected shot hit the bar and go behind for a corner.

From the resulting corner, the ball was crossed into the back-post for Ethan Ampadu who sent his header towards goal, and that also hit the bar, with Junior Firpo’s follow up then being saved by Will Norris.

Just seconds later and Farke’s side would strike the woodwork again. This time it was from a free-kick, with Ampadu being brought down by Callum Lang. Up stepped Ilia Gruev and his superb left-footed effort hit the corner of post and bar.

Leeds weren’t to be denied an opener though and still inside the first 10 minutes, Dan James sprinted forward into the box, was brought down by Connor Ogilvie and a penalty was awarded.

Stepping up from his central-defensive duties, there was no doubt who was taking the spot-kick. Pascal Struijk was given the ball by Ampadu and the Dutchman stepped up to send Norris the wrong way, putting his side ahead.

The visitors hit back well though after a short spell of pressure. Elias Sorensen found space in the box, he turned and struck powerfully on his left-foot and found the back of the net despite Illan Meslier getting fingertips to the effort.

After conceding, it was the turn of Leeds to react well as they continued to put the pressure on the Pompey goal.

Mateo Joseph showed both strength and pace to create an opening but was denied by Norris, with the ‘keeper busy again moments later, making a good save to deny Gnonto, then shortly after from Georginio.

Shortly before half-time, the away side went into the lead with an excellent strike from the edge of the box. Callum Lang controlled the ball onto his right-foot and smashed home into the bottom corner to put Portsmouth in front at the interval.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 1-2 Portsmouth

Farke sent his team back out for the second half and if his instructions were to start quickly, they were listened to, as the game was back on level terms within a minute!

Georginio controlled the ball and showed strength down the wing, he was fouled but an advantage was played as the ball found Gnonto. From there, the forward cut inside, created room and struck into the bottom corner with his right-foot.

Two more good chances came for Leeds, but neither could be converted as the crowd also continued to turn the noise up inside the stadium. Joseph struck over from inside the box when well placed, before Gruev was then denied by Norris with a good save.

With 20 minutes remaining and the scores still level, Farke turned to his bench, making a triple change. Joe Rothwell, Brenden Aaronson and Joel Piroe all entered the action, with Patrick Bamford then coming on a short time after to become the fourth.

From a quick free-kick, Junior Firpo crossed in from the left and found Bamford, but under pressure the forward flicked his header just wide of the post.

Just as five minutes of stoppage time were announced, Portsmouth were awarded a penalty. Having scored in the first half, Lang stepped up and slotted home his second of the game.

However, there was still time for more, as the Whites quickly got back on level terms again! Two substitutes combined as Piroe burst forward and played it to Aaronson. He then showed clever footwork on the edge of the box before striking low into the bottom corner!

In the final seconds, Leeds nearly won it. Again it was Aaronson with the opportunity but after being so accurate moments earlier, the forward struck just wide of the post this time. The whistle blew shortly after and both teams had to take a point from the game.

FULL TIME: Leeds United 3-3 Portsmouth