This on paper looked like it would be a good game as both teams like to play football but in different ways.
So could Leeds banish the memories of last weekend’s FA Cup humiliation, or would Brighton move away from the relegation zone?
It was played at Elland Road and the pitch was rather *heavy, after snowfall in Leeds earlier in the week, would that make it harder for Leeds’s style of play?
*A heavy pitch means it was quite wet due to the snowfall and this makes the turf underneath it deteriorate quickly.
Reference for picture: https://www.facebook.com/LeedsUnited/photos/a.158277964323723/1883727991778703/?type=3&theater
After 6 minutes Raphinha played a good ball over the top for Alioski who whipped in a brilliant cross and Rodrigo couldn’t quite get on the end of it, due to Dunk’s presence.
Just three minutes later Maupay went down in the Leeds penalty area, Ayling barely touched him and no penalty.
After a quarter of an hour, Trossard played a neat 1-2 with Mac Allister who squared to Maupay who had the freedom of Elland Road to easily tap in.
With 24 minutes gone Maupay’s shot deflected off Ayling and onto the bar.
Just before the half hour mark, White robbed Raphinha of the ball and drove all the way into the Leeds box before the shot was blocked by Ayling.
From that point on, the first half was pretty non descriptive in terms of action.
Halftime score:Â Leeds United 0-1 Brighton
So a poor first half performance from Leeds who were missing Phillips but Brighton played well and they could pass whereas Leeds couldn’t string 2 passes together on the heavy pitch, would the 2nd half be any better from Leeds?
After 50 minutes Harrison curled a left footed shot wide.
Just after the hour mark, Alioski gave the ball away to Maupay who passed to Trossard whose left footed shot missed.
Two minutes later, Cooper’s header from the centre of the box was saved.
With 25 minutes left, White’s right footed shot from outside the box was blocked. Then Roberts right footed shot from the right side of the box was blocked.
With ten minutes remaining, Webster’s driving run and shot was saved by Casilla.
The rest of the last ten minutes drifted with not much action.
Fulltime score:Â Leeds United 0-1 Brighton
So another poor performance from Leeds United who three games into 2021 haven’t scored a goal. Hopefully Bielsa will be able to work some magic and Leeds can get their freestyle *mojo* back.
Highlights or lowlights of this game are on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrW2eA1B8jo
Leeds remain in 12th place in the Premier League table on 23 points, and 12 points above the bottom 3.
Leeds were due to play Southampton on Wednesday night, but that’s been rearranged due to Southampton’s FA Cup tie being rearranged, and Leeds don’t have a game next week as they’re no longer in the FA Cup, so that means Leeds’ next game will be away to Newcastle on 26th January.
*mojo- To regain confidence, coinciding with a resurgence in success.
