Report: Leeds United 0 - 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Report: Leeds United 0 - 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Jimenez strike decides clash.

Leeds United 0

Wolves 1 (Jiminez 70')

Leeds: Meslier, Ayling, Koch, Strujik (Hernandez 75’), Dallas, Phillips, Klich, Costa (Poveda 71’), Rodrigo, Harrison (Raphinha 82’), Bamford. 

Subs not used: Casilla, Alioski, Shackleton, Roberts.

Wolves: Patricio, Boly, Coady, Kilman, Saiss, Semedo, Dendoncker, Moutinho (Neves 82’), Neto (Marcal 89’), Raul, Podence (Traore 65’).

Subs not used: Ruddy, Hoever, Silva, Otasowie. 


Wolves claimed the three points under the floodlights of Elland Road, following Raul Jimenez’s second half goal. It was a true tale of ‘two-halves’, as Marcelo Bielsa’s side suffered their first home Premier League defeat of the season. 

The visitors got the game underway, but it was Leeds who really looked to get things going. Instantly on the front-foot, Bielsa’s side had the first chance of the game with Patrick Bamford firing wide with the outside of his right boot. 

Moments later, Bamford was involved again and thought he had taken the lead with a well placed header, only for the offside flag to deny him, which the replays did show was the correct decision. 

In a frantic opening period, once again the Whites were in the Wolves penalty area. This time it was Helder Costa, who had beaten Moutinho once, before getting past him again and going down under the challenge. Referee, David Coote waved play on despite the appeals, ending a fast paced opening 10 minutes at Elland Road.

The game was then to settle down for a short period. Leeds remained in possession throughout, but Daniel Podence was looking lively for away side. Luke Ayling would pick up a yellow card for bringing down the Wolves attacker, prior to having an effort well saved by Rui Patricio in the visiting net. 

Two further first half efforts would look to trouble the goal at either end. Firstly, Rodrigo controlled well off a Kalvin Phillips corner and hit a half-volley which Patricio saved, before arguably the best chance of the half arrived. Wolves counter-attacked at pace with seconds remaining and found Podence in space, but his effort was well-saved by Meslier. We went in level.

HALF TIME: Leeds 0-0 Wolves

The second half would prove to be a different affair to the first. After Leeds dominated large parts of the opening 45 minutes, the visitors came out a different side and looked to get on the front foot early on. 

Podence was once again lively and looking the main attacking threat, and he appeared to have created the opener. After controlling well and whipping a ball into the box, Romain Saiss volleyed into the bottom corner of Meslier’s net. The celebrations from the visitors were short lived however, as VAR ruled the goal out for offside in the build-up. 

Shortly after, it would be Podence causing problems once more. Just like the end of the first half, Meslier won the battle again saving the winger’s effort low to his right. 

On the 70th minute, the match-defining moment did arrive. Raul Jimenez took control of the ball and ran infield, turned back onto his right-foot and shot at goal. Phillips attempted to stop the strike but unfortunately his header deflected the ball past the on-looking Meslier in the Leeds goal, to put the visitors in front. 

Bielsa introduced Pablo Hernandez, Ian Poveda and new-signing, Raphinha all off the bench, but it was to no avail. Despite numerous corners and attacking opportunities, the Whites were unable to test Patricio or his goal and Wolves saw the game out to claim the three points.

Full Time: Leeds 0-1 Wolves


Booked: Ayling 15’, Phillips 62’, Moutinho 66’.

Referee: David Coote

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: Behind-closed-doors


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