Premier League

Leeds United 1 (Rodrigo 90’ pen)

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 (Hee-Chan 10’)

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Cooper (c), Raphinha (Summerville 54’), Llorente, Dallas, Rodrigo, James, Struijk, Harrison (Roberts 45’), Klich (Gelhardt 62’), Shackleton. 

Subs not used: Klaesson (GK), Forshaw, Phillips, Hjelde, Cresswell, Drameh. 

Wolves: Sa (GK), Ait-Nouri (Hoever 83’), Jimenez, Coady (c), Semedo, Kliman, Hee-Chan, Saiss, Moutinho (Neves 89’), Dendoncker, Traore (Podence 75’).

Subs not used: Moulden (GK), Ruddy (GK), Trincao, Silva, Cundle, Campbell.

Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United side faced Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League at Elland Road, looking to make it back-to-back wins after beating Watford here last time out.

After a couple of early chances for Pascal Struijk and Rodrigo through headers, the hosts went into the lead with their first real attack of the game. 

Nelson Semedo broke free down the right wing and cut inside, before playing the ball to Raul Jimenez. His shot took a deflected and fell kindly for Wolves’ top-scorer Hwang Hee-Chan who had an easy finish to put his side ahead. 

In response, Raphinha forced Jose Sa into a save, before Jack Harrison got into the area and struck a powerful effort wide as the game ticked over the half hour mark. There was very little further action in the first half, and the teams went in with Wolves a goal ahead.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 0-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers  

Tyler Roberts was introduced to the game at the interval, he replaced Jack Harrison in a forward line that interchanged with one another throughout. Wolves remained with the same team that started the match. 

Like in the first half, Leeds were seeing plenty of the ball but were struggling to break down the visitors who had a strong defensive line that were looking to preserve their early lead. 

Shortly after the interval, Bielsa was forced to make another change through injury, as Raphinha left the pitch to be replaced by Crysencio Summerville. With half an hour remaining Leeds had made all three changes, as Joe Gelhardt was brought on for Mateusz Klich. 

A big chance for Wolves to double their lead came with 20 minutes remaining. Joao Moutinho stood over a free-kick on the edge of the box, but struck it well over and wide of the goal.  

The sold-out capacity crowd inside Elland Road did their best to lift the team as they went in search of the equaliser. Both Roberts and Struijk went close to finding one, with headers that were just wide and then saved. 

Going even closer as the game edged towards the final 10 minutes, Gelhardt found space in the box and saw his powerful strike tipped over the bar by Sa in the Wolves goal, with the striker finding space another chance shortly after but firing over this time. 

With Leeds pushing forward in the final stages, Wolves were able to counter. A good chance for the visitors in the final stages went the way of substitute Daniel Podence, but Illan Meslier saved well from the shot.

After coming close with a couple of chances himself and the Wolves defence fearing him, Gelhardt raced into the box once again and was this time chopped down, meaning Leeds were awarded a stoppage time penalty. 

Up stepped Rodrigo and showed he was the calmest person inside Elland Road, sending Sa the wrong way to net a fully deserved equaliser for the Whites!

🙌 First appearance at Elland Road!
🔥 What an introduction!
🤩 Game changer! pic.twitter.com/GwkgWyry7G

— Leeds United (@LUFC) October 23, 2021

Gelhardt would go close again with the final kick-off the game, as his 90+6th minute shot went narrowly wide. The full-time whistle went seconds later and brought an end to an entertaining second half, giving both teams a point. 

FULL TIME: Leeds United 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 36,475

Referee: Robert Jones

Booked: Moutinho, Kilman, Saiss (Wolves) Shackleton, Rodrigo (Leeds)