Sky Bet Championship 

Leeds United 1 (Ayling 72’)

West Bromwich Albion 1 (Asante 52’)

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Ayling (C), Ampadu, Rodon, Shackleton, James, Struijk, Gray, Rutter, Byram, Gelhardt (Greenwood 84’). Subs not used: Klaesson (GK), Darlow (GK), Cresswell, Gyabi, Bate, Drameh.

WBA: Palmer (GK), Furlong, Kipre, Ajayi, Wallace (C) (Gardner-Hickman 86’), Molumby, Phillips, Pieters (Townsend 75’), Swift (Sarmiento 69’), Asante (Maja 75’), Yokuslu (Chalobah 86’). Subs not used: Griffiths (GK), Bartley, Mowatt, Fellows. 

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 33,890 (1,995)

Referee: Matthew Donohue 

Booked: Gelhardt, Shackleton, James, Struijk (Leeds) Furlong, Molumby, Phillips, Pieters, Yokuslu (WBA)

Under the Friday night floodlights in West Yorkshire, Daniel Farke’s side faced a West Bromwich Albion outfit with plenty of Sky Bet Championship experience within their side. 

The Baggies took an early lead in the second half through Thomas Asante’s controversial goal, before Luke Ayling levelled the game up with an excellent header. Despite the best efforts of both teams, the score remained even at the final whistle. 

Coming into the game, the Whites were looking to bounce back from a last-minute defeat to Birmingham City, whilst the visitors arrived fresh from a good win over Swansea City at the Hawthorns on the previous weekend.  

When the match got underway at Elland Road, the atmosphere was electric and the early battle on the pitch were clear to see, from either side, who looked to get on the front foot. 

The first two real chances on goal fell to Leeds. Sam Byram was narrowly off target when aiming for the top corner, and Dan James was denied by a low Alex Palmer save.

Coming even closer shortly after, the ever-energetic Jamie Shackleton struck low from just outside the box and it came flying back off the post, after taking a large deflection. 

The only real effort that the Baggies had in the opening 45 minutes didn’t trouble Leeds. Darnell Furlong found space from a Matt Phillips cross, but scuffed his effort when well placed, sending the teams in level and goalless at the interval. 

HALF TIME: Leeds United 0-0 West Bromwich Albion

The second half began with the visitors on the front foot, showing a reaction to the first half display at Elland Road. They had a chance quickly through Jed Wallace, who flicked Asante’s cross goal wards, seeing Illan Meslier make an excellent save to tip it onto the post.

Just a couple of minutes later though, the Baggies did take the lead. From a corner into the box, Jayson Molumby struck at goal and it took a big deflection off Asante - which looked to be from his right arm - and into the back of the net. 

With Leeds pushing forward and seeing plenty of the ball in the attacking third of the pitch, good work between James and Joe Gelhardt saw James curl an excellent effort towards the top corner, only to see the impressive Palmer tip it just over the bar at full-stretch. 

It wouldn’t be long before Leeds did equalise and in doing so, Elland Road erupted with noise, seeing their side get back onto level terms.

Gelhardt played a good ball out to the wing which found James, who controlled and looked up, before crossing into the box. With a late run from the back post, Ayling leapt highest to flick home an excellent header into the bottom corner! 

Entering the final 10 minutes, the Whites made their first change of the match. Returning from injury, Sam Greenwood was brought into the game in place of Gelhardt.  

On his home debut and first start for the club, Joe Rodon had an opportunity in the closing stages but his header went over the bar. 

The final chance in the seven minutes of added time also went the way of Farke’s side. Georginio Rutter burst forward with the ball and shot from 20-yards out, seeing the ball go just past the post and behind for goal-kick.

Shortly after, the final whistle sounded at a rain-soaked Elland Road, meaning both teams came away from a hard-fought match with a point each. 

FULL TIME: Leeds United 1-1 West Bromwich Albion