Former Scotland international Ally McCoist has singled out one Leeds United player for criticism after the agonising Premier League defeat against Fulham.
Although Gabriel Gudmundsson scored the unfortunate own goal at Craven Cottage, the Swedish defender performed impressively in the game, earning praise from head coach Daniel Farke.
Goalkeeper Karl Darlow was another standout performer for the Whites, making two impressive saves to keep the game at 0-0 before being singled out by Leeds legend Tony Dorigo at full-time for his performance.
However, the defeat means that Leeds have now scored just once in four games. Despite producing an energetic performance as the lone striker, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been criticised by McCoist after wasting the best chance of the game for Leeds.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin in action against Fulham.
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images
Ally McCoist criticises Leeds United forward
Speaking on Talksport Breakfast alongside Jeff Stelling on the morning of the 15th September, McCoist praised Leeds for the way they defended in their latest Premier League defeat.
However, McCoist singled out Calvert-Lewin for criticism, stating that he needs to be more clinical when he finds himself in front of goal, after heading a golden opportunity straight at Bernd Leno.
McCoist said: “It must have been heartbreaking for the Leeds boys. It kind of bounces off his head, and it could go anywhere, but it’s just one of those things that flies into the goal. I thought they defended well over long, long periods.”
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Before adding: “If my memory serves me right, I wrote it down after I watched the game, I think Calvert-Lewin had a great chance. Was it a header? I can’t remember.
“But particularly if you’re a club like Leeds, Sunderland and Burnley, the newly-promoted clubs, going away from home, you’ve got to take any chances you get, mate. Any chances you get, you’ve got to be clinical.”
This concern was echoed by Stelling, who believes Leeds’ lack of cutting edge in front of goal could prove costly this season. He said: “There were a lot of positives to take from Saturday’s game. My concern has been from right at the start of the season.
“I don’t know where the goals are coming from. Just don’t see where the goals are coming from.”
Ally McCoist on punditry duty.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Stats back up concerns over Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Leeds boss Daniel Farke has spoken openly about Leeds’ blunt attack, having failed in a late move to sign Fulham’s Harry Wilson on deadline day.
England international Calvert-Lewin was one of the players Leeds were able to bring in this summer, as he signed on a free transfer, and will bear the brunt of the responsibility of scoring the goals needed to stay in the top flight.
Year PL Appearances Goals xG Difference
21/22 17 5 6.55 -1.55
22/23 17 2 5.85 -3.85
23/24 32 7 12.93 -5.93
24/25 26 3 6.64 -3.34
25/26 2 0 0.37 -0.37
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – PL Goals vs xG
However, the data from Statmuse shows that Calvert-Lewin has consistently underperformed against his expected goals (xG) tally over the last five seasons. So far this season, Calvert-Lewin has no goals, against an xG of 0.37.
His biggest underperformance came in the 2023/24 season, when he scored seven goals for Everton, against an xG total of 12.93. Leeds need him to quickly rediscover the form that saw him score 16 goals in 2021/22 to fire them to safety this season.