Leeds United have fallen to a 2-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday and here are the player ratings.
It was a raucous atmosphere at Elland Road, with Archie Gray getting a warm welcome on his return, fuelled by Leeds United’s full-throttle start to the game.
Daniel Farke’s side rattled the post early on and rattled the visiting Tottenham with their physical approach to the match.
Yet, they once again found themselves a goal down when Mathys Tell fired into the top corner thanks to a deflection. The Whites got lucky when Mohammed Kudus missed a golden chance to make it two shortly afterwards.
But Leeds’ fighting spirit ensured they got themselves back into the game with Noah Okafor smashing in the leveller.
An entertaining, feisty and end-to-end half ended all square, but it would be Spurs who retook the lead, with Kudus finding the bottom corner to make up for his earlier miss.
Leeds continued to battle over the final half hour but didn’t really come close to getting back level. A disappointing result that could have been so much more.
Here’s how the players rated.
Karl Darlow – 6
Could do nothing about either goal, with deflections taking the ball out of his reach. Wasn’t challenged much, otherwise.
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Jayden Bogle – 5
A tough game for Jayden Bogle.
Though his cross did create the leveller, Tottenham got a lot of joy down his side. Destiny Udogie got in behind multiple times, and only poor finishing meant he wasn’t punished more severely.
Worked hard but was far from his best against tough opposition.
Joe Rodon – 8
Called into action time and again and had to use every ounce of his defensive nous in getting his body in the way of forwards, winning big headers and cutting out chances. Joe Rodon did particularly well in marshalling Wilson Odobert out wide as he went through on goal.
Unlucky not to score when his header hit the post.
Pascal Struijk – 6
Was caught flat-footed as Tel went through and the forward got the better of him to shoot, even if the deflection that took the ball in was unfortunate. His first misstep of the season. The second goal took a deflection off him as well.
Gabriel Gudmundsson – 5
Sadly, for a player who has otherwise been brilliant this season, it was yet another terrible mistake from Gabriel Gudmundsson that cost Leeds a goal. This time, he failed to deal with a long ball to allow Kudus to score.
He is forming a really dangerous partnership with Okafor on the left flank, though. The Swede charged up the field all game long to provide an overlap option, with the duo linking up repeatedly. However, that did lead to him being caught up field for the opener.
Sean Longstaff – 6
It was Sean Longstaff’s loose touch that first lost the ball to give Spurs their opening to score the first and he was beaten to a couple of other loose balls as well.
Yet, his distribution was tight and his set-piece delivery even better, as he nearly set up a Rodon goal for the second game running, but the centre-back was denied by the woodwork. Had a couple of good efforts but overran too much.
Ethan Ampadu – 5
Ethan Ampadu sets the physical tone of the team and Spurs really did not like his robust challenges, but it wasn’t enough to cover for a poor performance. The captain’s first touch was sloppy, Xavi Simons had the better of him, his tackling was mistimed (earning him a booking) and he was also culpable as Spurs scored the opener. Capable of much better.
Anton Stach – 8
This was exactly the type of showing Leeds need from Anton Stach, one that had the quality on the ball to go with his defensive attributes. The German was classy in possession and was at the heart of every well-worked Leeds attack up the field with clever passing.
He also won the ball back high up the field to create dangerous chances, which should have been converted. An all-action performance and strange that he was taken off over his midfield partners.
Brenden Aaronson – 7.5
Brenden Aaronson’s best display in a Leeds shirt in some time, especially from an attacking perspective. It was the American’s well-struck effort that created the rebound for Okafor to score but he was far more involved than that, showing lively skill and elegant touches that have been a rarity in his game.
In cruel contrast to how he usually plays, the hard-worker probably could have done more to help Bogle with Spurs’ dangerous left attack. Still, Aaronson is getting better with every game and is justifying his inclusion.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 5.5
It already feels like Dominic Calvert-Lewin is going to be a player of frustration for Leeds, as it’s clear just how good he could be.
The striker’s brilliant, unselfish touch from a cross created Okafor’s goal, yet when presented with three great chances of his own, he couldn’t take them. Skying from close range after being put clean through in the first half was particularly galling.
Leeds simply can’t afford to be missing chances like that. That isn’t the first time that has been said of Calvert-Lewin this season and it almost certainly won’t be the last.
Noah Okafor – 8
Okafor bagged Leeds’ 800th Premier League goal ever and his first as he smashed the ball in from close range. It was a goal that his performance deserved, with the Swiss being a threat from the opening minutes and delivering several threatening crosses that weren’t taken advantage of.
His confidence in taking on players, smart link-up play and pace are already proving to be crucial assets to Farke’s side and he’s looking like a bargain signing.
Substitutes
Ao Tanaka – 6
Injected urgency into a Leeds side that lost some mojo after going behind.
Jack Harrison – 5
Made little impact.
Joel Piroe – 5
Denied late on by a good save.
Lukas Nmecha – 4
Did little.
James Justin – 4
Came on late.
