Sky Bet Championship
West Bromwich Albion 0
Leeds United 0
WBA: Palmer (GK), Furlong, Bartley (C), Ajayi, Molumby (Diakite 90’), Maja (Dobbin 85’), Swift (Diangana 85’), Heggem, Grant (Wallace 75’), Mowatt, Fellows. Subs not used: Wildsmith (GK), Taylor, McNair, Frabotta, Cole.
Leeds: Meslier (GK), Bogle, Firpo, Ampadu (C), Struijk, Rodon, James (Aaronson 64’), Piroe (Rothwell 64’), Joseph (Bamford 79’), Gnonto, Gruev. Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Byram, Gelhardt, Debayo, Wober, Crew.
Venue: The Hawthorns
Attendance: TBC
Referee: Sam Allison
Booked: Swift, Ajayi (WBA) Bogle, Firpo (Leeds)
Leeds United claimed a point away at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday lunchtime, after a goalless draw at the Hawthorns in a first Sky Bet Championship away match of the season.
The opening 10 minutes or so of the game was a quiet one, with few to no chances at either end. The best moment for Leeds was from a corner which Junior Firpo connected with at the near post, flicking his header over the bar.
Down the opposite end and in front of Illan Meslier’s goal, the Baggies also had their chances from set-plays. Alex Mowatt’s delivery was often deep from corners into the Leeds box, but the defence stood firm to deal with the danger.
Shortly before the break, Leeds had two more openings. Ilia Gruev whipped in a free-kick this time, which Pascal Struijk got up for and sent towards goal, only to see Semi Ajayi deflect the ball narrowly past the post for a corner.
Then from the resulting corner, the ball fell to Willy Gnonto on the edge and the forward controlled and created some space, but couldn’t keep his effort on target.
The whistle was blown to signal the interval shortly after, with the teams heading into the dressing rooms goalless.
HALF TIME: West Bromwich Albion 0-0 Leeds United
Back out for the second 45 minutes in the West Midlands, neither side had made changes as they came out in search for an opening goal in the game.
A first real sight of goal at either end came a few minutes into the half. The hosts burst forward and John Swift twisted and turned before finding Jayson Molumby, who struck on goal, only to see Meslier well positioned to save.
The game was beginning to open up as we approached the hour mark, with both teams continuing to push forward. Farke was the first to go to the bench for a change, as Joe Rothwell and Brenden Aaronson entered the action.
The chances came from set plays once more, with an opportunity at either end. Kyle Bartley put a header over the bar for the Baggies, whilst Struijk flicked a corner wide with his header shortly after.
With 10 minutes to play, the Whites made another change, as Patrick Bamford came on up front in place of Mateo Joseph. However, despite both teams pushing forward and searching for a winner, the clear-cut chances were not forthcoming and the match ended goalless.
FULL TIME: West Bromwich Albion 0-0 Leeds United
