One goal in four Premier League games is becoming quite the concern for Leeds United fans and rightly so, as Daniel Farke’s men drew a blank at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon.
A third Premier League game in a row in which Leeds have failed to find the back of the net, having been trounced 5-0 by Arsenal at The Emirates and then drawing with Newcastle United at Elland Road.
Daniel Farke started both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor in a new-look front three with Brenden Aaronson also getting a start, at Fulham. All three started their first Premier League games of the season.
It might not be the Leeds side that created chance after chance in the Championship, but Leeds did have moments. Calvert-Lewin’s header, Sean Longstaff hitting the bar, and Aaronson’s flick at the near post.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin in action against Fulham.
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images
Ashley Williams says one Leeds player is under big pressure
Leeds need goals and while Saturday was incredibly unlucky, losing the game thanks to a freak own goal scored by Gabriel Gudmundsson, the result is all that matters. Four points from four games, so far.
Speaking on Match of the Day about Leeds’ lack of attacking impetus, former Wales captain Ashley Williams believes there is now “big, big pressure” on Calvert-Lewin to not only stay fit, but also deliver.
“There is big, big pressure on Calvert-Lewin to deliver, to stay fit, to stay on the pitch but also they have to supply him. I think today he had one chance, the header, which he should have done better with.
“They’ve all got to chip in and create a lot more. Yes, unlucky with the result today but they were still only getting a point, they don’t look like they’re getting three points because they’re not creating enough.”
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Leeds currently sit in 14th place for XG after four matches
Interestingly, there are five teams worse than Leeds when it comes to XG this season. Two of those are teams that are yet to play their fourth Premier League game, with Liverpool facing Burnley on Sunday.
But, FotMob’s stats say Leeds are 14th-highest for XG. According to the stats, Leeds are expected to have scored 3.8 goals, but of course, have only managed one so far through Lukas Nmecha’s penalty.
Position Games played XG Goals scored
11. Fulham 4 4.4 3
12. Newcastle 4 4.4 3
13. West Ham 4 4.3 4
14. Leeds 4 3.8 1
15. Forest 4 3.7 4
16. Liverpool 3 3.4 8
17. Sunderland 4 3.4 5
18. Burnley 3 3.1 4
19. Villa 4 3.1 0
20. Wolves 4 2.6 2
Perhaps, Leeds are creating the necessary chances but are yet to show the quality required in front of goal to put the ball in the back of the net. Calvert-Lewin and Okafor getting minutes is a big positive.