Leeds United have played well in their last two games but have not scored and taken just one point. The lockout with Newcastle United saw Leeds earn a deserved point and it looked as though yesterday’s game was heading the same way.
Gabriel Gudmundsson’s own goal was a sorry way for the match to end, and produced an outcome that reflected harshly on Leeds. Nevertheless, that’s no goals in three games and still none at all from open play.
Next week’s trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers takes on increased importance. Here are some things supporters may have missed during yesterday afternoon.
Gudmundsson says sorry to away end
After putting through his own net, Gudmundsson cut a crestfallen figure. He won’t want to watch the replays back, given he was in acres of space. He probably couldn’t replicate it if he tried, either.
Gudmundsson had a hard shift but that did not contribute to his goal. He knew it too. He looked crestfallen when it went in, and at full-time. The Swede went over to the away end to clap the fans after the final whistle and raised his hands in apology to them.
“He just needs a hug and an arm around his shoulder,” Daniel Farke said afterwards. “Sometimes it’s written in the stars. He was excellent today. So crucial for our game.”
Farke spurs Okafor on
Farke was seen gesturing to Noah Okafor 10 minutes into the first half, showing him what he wanted to see from his new winger. From that point on, Okafor looked dangerous, taking on his man and even nutmegging a marker at one stage.
The Brazilian was starting his first Premier League match and will only adapt with time and backing, which he will get. His ability to beat a man is clear, his end product is not so just yet. But he has at least recovered from his groin issue.
Okafor also needs to figure out what to do when he is figured out by the opposition. Fulham right-back Tete marked him better in the second half, managing to eke a booking out of him before the attacker was substituted off. He got a good reception from the away end when he was withdrawn.
Other bits spotted
Leeds fans serenaded their players off the bus with the rain pouring down pre-match. In the initial warm-up phase, when the players first came out, everyone had touches of the ball but Dominic Calvert-Lewin only did stretching and a bit of running on his own under the watchful gaze of a coach.
This was presumably given his delayed fitness and to lower the risk of injury. He later took part in the ball drills after the usual collective group stretching, including the rondo - so it's not like he didn't touch the ball at all, but his initial spell was interesting to note.
At the end of the warm up, Jack Harrison was seen flicking the ball up to Lukas Nmecha to head into the net from close range. One poignant moment at the kick-off saw Calvert-Lewin and Rodrigo Muniz line up opposite each other - a visual presentation of how the summer striker hunt swung.
Later on, Ethan Ampadu signalled to the bench that he was OK after being asked by the physios how he was feeling, having held his crown for a good 30 seconds after getting his head on a bullet of a free-kick.
Wales boss Craig Bellamy looked on at him from the stands and would cut a worried expression when Daniel James had to go off injured. Ampadu, James, Joe Rodon, Karl Darlow and Leeds deadline day target Harry Wilson, of Fulham, are all under Bellamy’s international tutelage.
Here at LeedsLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the bestLeeds Unitedcoverage and analysis.
Make sure you don't miss out on the latest Leeds news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clickinghereto subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Clickhereto be sent all the day's biggest stories.