There were two more important results for our unbeaten senior teams across Saturday and Sunday’s action, continuing a productive start to the new campaign.
On the south coast, Daniel Farke’s men earned an important point on the road at Brighton & Hove Albion, having taken the lead through Jayden Bogle’s close-range strike.
The Whites dominated and had chances to extend their lead but the hosts levelled in the second half to ensure the shares were spoiled in Sussex, a result which the boss was pleased with on the overall balance of the game.
Speaking to the media afterwards, the German said: “That is a really good point for us, given our recent record here. It is ages since we took something last time here from a long travel to Brighton and even longer ago when we scored the last time a goal here.
“So, for that, a point is definitely a good result but more was even possible, I would say. At half time, we should have been out of sight normally and the second half was a similar topic.
“Normally, in such a difficult away game, once you miss so many clear-cut chances, you have to travel away without any points because Brighton is a really good side, and of course they would have periods in the second half where they put pressure on us. I love that my players dug in.”
United have taken five points from their opening three Premier League fixtures, sitting ninth in the early season standings, and take on Chelsea in EFL Cup Round Three action during the week.
After a spectacular start to the Division One North term, in which Simon Wood’s team have scored 15 goals in three matches without reply, attentions turned to a West Yorkshire derby in the League Cup on Sunday.
Tier three Huddersfield Town visited the BD Community Stadium in Leeds’ second group stage encounter but proved no match for United, who despatched the Terriers 3-0 in Garforth to notch a fifth straight win in all competitions!
“That was a really great team performance,” defender Izzy Dean, who was on target alongside Amy Woodruff and Kath Smith, told LUTV. “From minute one to the last kick of the game, we were everywhere. First ball, second ball, we won everything.
“I am really happy with my goal, but to be fair, Drew [Greene] put it on a plate for me so I couldn’t really miss that one! Today it was massive. I think it was good to have a challenge against a team from the league above.
“Also, another clean sheet as well, so we are happy with that and we were going really well to the end. Watching from centre back, it is so good to watch – the one-two football. I am glad I am not playing against our strikers!”
On the Academy front, Scott Gardner’s Under-21s put in a positive display in the capital against Charlton Athletic Under-21s but came up short in their latest Premier League Cup group stage match.
Despite enjoying large shares of possession and going close through a Sam Alker effort that rattled the crossbar, Leeds fell to a narrow defeat in their second fixture in the competition.
Aside from the result, the boss was pleased with his team’s performance, telling leedsunited.com: “I thought overall, absolutely excellent. Barring one bit of quality from them once it gets to the goal, and a bit of luck inside the box for us, but in between I couldn’t have asked for any more so I am really proud of them actually.
“I thought we were in total control. Against the more physical side, I thought they dealt with it incredibly well and I am just disappointed that they didn’t get what they deserved.”
Rounding off the weekend’s action, Rob Etherington’s Under-18s side were unlucky to come away empty handed from their home clash with Burnley Under-18s. Logan White was again on target for the young Whites, however, netting a fourth goal in as many matches to continue a scintillating start to the term for 17-year-old forward.
How does this week look?
Our U21s start the week with a trip to Solihull Moors on Tuesday evening live on LUTV, continuing their National League Cup campaign after an opening clash at Boreham Wood last month. Then, they face Middlesbrough on Sunday in Premier League 2 action.
On Wednesday, our men’s team travel to Stamford Bridge for the EFL Cup Round Three clash with Chelsea. Then, Farke’s team welcome Newcastle United to Elland Road on Monday night, keen to continue their unbeaten run in the top-flight.
Our Women’s team face promotion rivals Stockport County Ladies on Sunday afternoon, searching for a fourth straight FA WNL Division One North victory. Finally, to round off a busy week’s action, our U18s host Leicester City.
