It was a disappointing and slightly alarming day for Leeds United on Saturday as the Whites ran out 3-0 winners over Brighton, and the stats don’t make for good reading either.
Brighton could have easily scored four or five on the day, as Leeds’ defence struggled to cope with Danny Welbeck, Georginio Rutter, Diego Gomez, and other Brighton stars. Plenty to work on for Daniel Farke.
Especially, as that is now a third defeat in four games and a fifth Premier League loss so far, having played 10. Leeds remain above the point-a-game curve, but only just with 11 in the bank from a possible 30.
Leeds face a tough test away at Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest next, before the November break. Then, the dreaded winter period begins. The stats weren’t great, and in Noah Okafor’s case, they were damning.
Noah Okafor during Leeds' defeat to Brighton.
Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images
Noah Okafor’s stats for Leeds United against Brighton
It is not the first time that Okafor has been criticised for losing the ball. On the face of things, it was Okafor that provided the biggest threat for Leeds, but his display was littered with simple mistakes, too.
To be fair to Okafor, no one really played well. Lucas Perri made some good saves, but even he was not at his best, while Gabriel Gudmundsson had a solid game, but Brighton’s first came down the left flank.
For Okafor, his post-match stats are alarming. The Switzerland international only managed to pass the ball successfully eight times, failing to find a recipient six times. Okafor also lost it on four occasions.
Noah Okafor’s stats during Leeds defeat to Brighton
77 minutes played, 6.8 FotMob rating (third-best for Leeds)
0.01 XG+XA, five defensive contributions
Three touches in Brighton box, 5/8 successful dribbles (62.5%)
41 touches, 8/14 successful passes (43% misplaced)
Dispossessed/unsuccessful touches: 4
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
Jon Newsome’s concerns about Noah Okafor ring true again
Of course, there is license for Okafor to lose possession given he is an attacker attempting to make things happen. But, the Swiss star is often seen losing the ball in his own half, trying to do too much for Leeds.
Jon Newsome described Okafor as a “passenger” after the 3-1 win at Wolves, and criticised Okafor for giving up possession in his own half too many times. It is an issue that Daniel Farke is well aware of.
Farke says at half-time against Wolves, he had an honest chat with Okafor. While it may have subsided since then, it was apparent against Brighton on Saturday and something Okafor really needs to get right.