Leeds United have been defeated by Fulham in their return to Premier League action on Saturday.
It was a strong first-half display from Leeds United, who hemmed in the home side, not even allowing them to have an attempt on goal, controlled the ball and created some good chances.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin sent a free header straight at the goalkeeper, while Sean Longstaff clipped the crossbar with a sweetly struck strike.
Yet, Daniel Farke’s side were unable to take advantage and, after the break, Fulham came out much more energised after a telling off from their manager, Marco Silva.
Leeds weathered more than one storm and the game remained finely poised going into the closing stages but all of Leeds’ good work was undone by an unfortunate Gabriel Gudmunsson own goal at the death.
There are certainly positives from a solid performance, but a lack of goals is a major concern.
Here’s how the players rated at Craven Cottage.
Ethan Ampadu battles with Josh King.
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images
Karl Darlow – 8
Worryingly came out of his box without claiming crosses on a couple of occasions in the first half but more than made up for that shakiness with some crucial saves after the break, especially from Harry Wilson’s curling free-kick and Kevin’s late strike. Could do nothing about the goal.
Jayden Bogle – 7
Thrilling when he gets going down the right, fooling defenders with shimmies and feints. Unfortunate that his good work didn’t quite pay off. Resolute in defence until the tricky Kevin came on and gave him some trouble.
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Joe Rodon – 7
Alert to danger as Fulham got in the box and battled hard with the burly Rodrigo Muniz.
Pascal Struijk – 8
Poor distribution from the back, with balls looking for Calvert-Lewin lacking direction to start with, but made amends with a brilliant performance at the back.
Pascal Struijk made some crucial interventions when Fulham started going forward after the break, and was good at stepping out of the back to win loose balls.
Many thought he would lose his place to Jaka Bijol, but he isn’t going anywhere with immense defensive displays like that.
Gabriel Gudmundsson – 7
Just his fourth Premier League outing but he already looks so comfortable in the division. Kept Wilson completely quiet and drove Leeds up the field with his positive running from deep.
Incredibly composed, even when the surface became tricky after an immense downpour, and continued to defend well even when the rapid Adama Traore came on. So unlucky to give away a bizarre own goal.
Sean Longstaff – 7
Won the ball back well multiple times, working to snuff out Fulham’s space in the middle of the park. Smart use of the ball when he was on it himself. Thundered a shot off the crossbar from the edge of the box.
Ethan Ampadu – 7
A welcome return to the starting XI, with Leeds looking immediately more solid with him protecting the defence and battling hard in the middle of the park. He was excellent at cutting out Fulham attacks before they even got going.
Anton Stach – 5
A very mixed performance from Anton Stach. On one hand, he works really well alongside Ampadu and Longstaff, pulling his weight with the defensive duties to make a really solid midfield.
However, he needs to be the creative outlet in a hard-working trio, but he didn’t deliver that. He often played blind passes that went nowhere near teammates, somehow managed to hit a one-man wall with a dangerous free-kick and blasted his one shot well over.
Brenden Aaronson – 6
Industrious as ever as he created Leeds’ best chance in the first half when he teed up Calvert-Lewin and forced Leno into a good save himself just after the break. Lacks real presence on the right flank, though.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 5
Led the line well by drawing fouls and winning headers, but he needs to be scoring chances like the free header that came his way in the early stages of the match. Leeds can’t afford to be squandering such golden opportunities if they are to stay up, especially as they went on to lose.
Noah Okafor – 6
Looked much fitter than he did in his first start vs Wednesday, in what was a worrying full debut. But here Noah Okafor was exactly what you want from a brand new forward signing: exciting and tricky on the ball, with the confidence to take on defenders with a delightful trick or two.
He was just lacking that final killer contribution, but the signs are bright, and it was baffling that he was taken off rather than Aaronson.
Substitutes
Lukas Nmecha – 4
Hardly seemed to touch the ball.
Jack Harrison – 4
Delivered one teasing cross, but baffling that he was brought on ahead of Willy Gnonto.
Dan James – 6
Immediately injected some pace into Leeds’ attack, drawing a foul with his first touches on the ball, but then pulled up with a muscle injury after 10 minutes that did not look good in the slightest. A massive blow.
Willy Gnonto – 5
A late replacement for James.