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2 days ago
11
Leeds and Manchester United played out a somewhat low-key draw despite a ferocious Elland Road atmosphere which probably helps the respective ambitions of both teams this season.
One of English football’s most hostile and bitter rivalries did not quite have the bite or edge to it that historical editions have had, but Daniel Farke’s side continued to show why Leeds can be increasingly confident of this fixture being on the Premier League calendar again next season.
They have not been Manchester United in the league since 2002, but Brenden Aaronson’s strike shortly after the hour mark raised hope of that run coming to an end. However, Matheus Cunha’s third goal in five games just three minutes later cancelled that out and with neither side producing their very best, both teams were likely content with a point apiece. The result meant that Leeds are now eight points clear of the relegation zone, while Ruben Amorim’s side remain in touch with the Champions League places. Despite all the pre-match hype and buildup, the opening 45 minutes failed to live up to the billing. You suspected both managers would have been content to get to the interval with the game scoreless given the lack of quality.
With Amorim forced to select a defensive-heavy team once again, perhaps it was to be expected that the visitors lacked any sort of potency in the final third. Their one bright spark, Cunha, thought he had opened the scoring with a half-volley that beat Lucas Perri but the play was pulled back for an offside in the buildup.
Leeds’ only chance in that first half was a glorious one, though. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s rich vein of form looked certain to continue when he glanced a header goalbound that beat Senne Lammens, but the ball hit the outside of the post and bounced away to safety. At the other end, Leny Yoro’s header which was palmed over by Perri was the visitors’ only chance of note.
But thankfully, things did improve after half-time. Both sides returned from the break with renewed purpose though it was the hosts who had the earlier chances. Gabriel Gudmundsson forced a smart shot from Lammens before the hosts broke the deadlock just after the hour mark.
Ayden Heaven had been excellent to that point, but the young defender misread a long ball over the top which allowed Aaronson to break through on goal, and he slid the ball under Lammens to send Elland Road into delirium. That joy, and any hope of a first league win over their bitter rivals for over 20 years, was short-lived though.
Within three minutes of Leeds going ahead, the visitors had levelled. Joshua Zirkzee, brought on after Aaronson’s goal, slotted a superb pass through for Cunha, who prodded past Perri to make it 1-1 and silence the home crowd.
Cunha then struck the outside of Perri’s post while at the other end, the substitute Joël Piroe curled an audacious just over to ensure the spoils were shared.
