Premier League
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 (Krejci 8’)
Leeds United 3 (Calvert-Lewin 31’, Stach 39’, Okafor 45’)
Wolves: Sa (GK), J. Gomes, Agbadou, Arokodare, Mosquera (Andre 72’), R. Gomes (H. Bueno 46’), Toti (C) (Arias 72’), Bellegarde (Munetsi 46’), Lopez (Strand Larsen 46’), Krejci, Tchatchoua. Subs not used: Johnstone (GK), S. Bueno, Hwang, Hoever.
Leeds: Darlow (GK), Bogle (Justin 83’), Gudmundsson, Ampadu (C), Struijk, Rodon, Longstaff (Tanaka 83’), Calvert-Lewin (Nmecha 90’), Aaronson (Gruev 90’), Stach, Okafor (Harrison 70’). Subs not used: Meslier (GK), Piroe, Bijol, Gray.
Venue: Molineux
Attendance: 30,807 (3,012 away)
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Booked: Lopez (Wolves) Bogle (Leeds)
Leeds United produced an excellent display on the road to claim three points against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon, where they were backed as always by a loud contingent of travelling supporters in the West Midlands.
Daniel Farke’s side came into the match looking to pick up their first points away from home and did just that, with all the goals coming in the opening 45 minutes.
The hosts had nothing to show from any of their first four games prior to kick-off against the Whites. Four losses in a row for Vitor Pereira’s side had them languishing at the foot of the table, but in these early stages of the season, there remained plenty of time to turn that around.
After the team news had been exchanged and the starting XI’s were announced, the warm-ups were then completed, before the whistle sounded that we were underway at Molineux.
Despite a bright start from Farke’s side, who had created two good early openings, it was the hosts who took the lead. Breaking quickly up the pitch, the ball found its way from Fer Lopez to Ladislav Krejci to fire home at close range.
Leeds quickly recomposed themselves and still saw most of the ball, aiming for an equaliser. Quick one-touch interplay and bodies around box were causing the Wolves backline problems.
Just after the half-hour mark, the Whites did find a leveller! Jayden Boggle spotted Dominic Calvert-Lewin lurking inside the box and his cross found our number 9, who superbly looped home a header for his first goal for the club!
Just a few minutes later, a first goal then arrived for Anton Stach, and in stunning style to put the Whites ahead!
Calvert-Lewin had done well to win a free-kick outside the area, allowing a shooting opportunity. Stach seized the chance and curled home a beauty into the top corner to open his account for the club.
Completing a scintillating first half, the 3,012 fans in the away end saw their side make it three before the break! Stach was a major influence, pushing forward and playing Noah Okafor into the box. He set himself and struck home left-footed, to become the third summer arrival to score his first goal!
HALF TIME: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-3 Leeds United
Back out at Molineux, the hosts had made a triple change to the team which had started the match, but the Whites came out with the same XI.
Looking to show a response, Wolves did have two early efforts. After acrobatically tipping a header over the bar, Karl Darlow produced a second excellent save in quick succession to deny substitute Marshall Munetsi with his powerful strike.
At the other end, more quick and neat interplay created a shooting chance for Sean Longstaff, which Jose Sa was equal to between the posts.
With 20 remaining, Okafor was replaced after an excellent display down the wing, with Jack Harrison entering the action as the rain once again poured down under the lights at Molineux.
Showing character and steel in tough conditions, Leeds were determined to hold onto their lead, and a combination of solid defensive play and further Darlow saves saw them do this.
The four minutes of added time were up and Anthony Taylor’s whistle sounded to secure a thoroughly deserved and impressive three points to take back to West Yorkshire.
It’s now a return to home turf in the next two matches for the Whites, who will face AFC Bournemouth and then Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road in the Premier League.
FULL TIME: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-3 Leeds United
