Oh, to be Gabriel Gudmundsson over the last 24 hours. Through little fault of his own, the Leeds United star scored one of the most bizarre own goals that the Premier League has seen on Saturday.
The clock reads 94 minutes, Leeds have battled hard away from home at a Fulham side that finished in 11th last season, and more than deserved a point. Daniel Farke’s tactics and game plan had worked.
Leeds had clearly played to avoid defeat, and while they had chances to win the game, a point away in London was solid. Especially considering just how bad Leeds have been in London in recent seasons.
However, luck never seems to shine on Leeds, and it certainly wasn’t on Saturday. An innocuous-looking corner planted itself on Gudmundsson’s head, and it flew into the one place Karl Darlow could not reach.
Gabriel Gudmundsson tussles with Rodrigo Muniz.
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer show sympathy for Gudmundsson
Gudmundsson’s devastation was obvious. The Swedish defender went straight to the Leeds fans at full-time to apologise. Daniel Farke immediately hugged Gudmundsson following the last-minute goal.
On Monday, Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer showed their sympathy for the £10m summer signing from Lille. Shearer highlighted just how unlucky Gudmundsson was to head the ball in the one place it went.
Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker on Match of the Day duty.
Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Lineker said: “Poor Gudmundsson, felt for him, 94th minute, he’s headed into his own goal. Apparently, he was in tears in the dressing room after the game. Just one of those flukish things, bit of luck for Fulham.”
Shearer continued on Gudmundsson: “I mean, how’s your luck. Kevin had the shot, keeper saved it, they get the corner and then, oh. There’s not a lot he could do, to be honest. I actually felt for him, so unlucky.”
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Gabriel Gudmundsson has been one of Leeds’ best players
Going into the game against Fulham, Gudmundsson had an average FotMob rating of 6.63. A solid start, with Leeds fans saying Gudmundsson, Anton Stach, and Jayden Bogle had been the best before Fulham.
As is the way, Gudmundsson’s average rating has tumbled to 6.4 after his own goal. Had he maintained that level against Fulham, he would have been rated Leeds’ fifth-best player so far, as per the stats.
Name Games (Starts) Average rating
Anton Stach 4 (4) 7.01
Ethan Ampadu 2 (2) 6.90
Jayden Bogle 4 (4) 6.73
Joe Rodon 4 (4) 6.71
Brenden Aaronson 4 (1) 6.63
Pascal Struijk 4 (4) 6.56
Sean Longstaff 4 (2) 6.53
Gabriel Gudmundsson 4 (4) 6.52
Willy Gnonto 4 (3) 6.50
Ilia Gruev 3 (2) 6.50
Gudmundsson has got to get this out of his system and remind himself that he has been one of Leeds’ best players this season. He has made an excellent start and cannot let this affect his form at Leeds.