The plaudits continue to roll in for Leeds United as Daniel Farke’s side, along with Sunderland, continue to ridicule the claims that the promoted sides would struggle this season.
Sunday’s 1-1 draw between Leeds and Sunderland had a feel-good factor about it. A deserved result for both sides, both of which are managing to maintain a gap above the bottom three as things stand.
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The Leeds man is closing in on a Jamie Vardy record
Split image of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jamie Cardy
Credit: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images and Stephen White – CameraSport via Getty Images
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Sunderland are miles above the drop zone, while Leeds have now opened up a seven-point gap on West Ham in 18th. Key to that has been the form of summer signing, England striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Seven goals in six games, Calvert-Lewin has now scored in six consecutive Premier League games. The first-ever Leeds player to manage such a feat, proving to be one of the signings of the summer window.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin in action for Leeds
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Gary Lineker compares Calvert-Lewin with Arsenal’s Gyokeres
It is often said that a striker capable of scoring goals in the Premier League can cost the best part of £100m. Plenty bought for big money are struggling at some of the division’s biggest clubs right now.
Benjamin Sesko, Liam Delap, Alexander Isak before his injury, and plenty more. Arsenal’s £64m signing Viktor Gyokeres has struggled too, having joined the Gunners from Sporting Lisbon in the summer.
Leeds wanted to sign Gyokeres while he was at Coventry, but right now, he is struggling to live up to the hype at Arsenal. On The Rest Is Football, Gary Lineker said Gyokeres is not doing what Calvert-Lewin is.
Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal celebrates after scoring.
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
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“I’ve watched him closely the last few weeks. I think he’s like most strikers, he waits to see where it’s going and then attacks the space. As a striker, you’ve got to gamble on where you think the ball might go.
“That way, you steal a march on the defender. I don’t see him doing it. Dominic Calvert-Lewin did a perfect example of it for the Leeds goal at Sunderland. He didn’t wait and see where it was going to go.
“He pulled away and sprinted at the near post hoping the ball would be delivered there,. I don’t see that too often from Gyokeres. The players that score big numbers will do that – Haaland, Kane, Lewandowski.”
Did Leeds deserve to take more from their draw with Sunderland? 🤔
DCL was the hero once again at the Stadium of Light
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What Calvert-Lewin said when posed with Ancelotti question
Calvert-Lewin was brilliant again. The striker has been in stunning form, he’s kept himself fit after a nightmare spell with injuries and now, he is thriving in a side that he chose to join back in the summer.
Calvert-Lewin rejected Newcastle, Milan and Man United to join Leeds because he wanted to start games. He has given himself every chance of going to the World Cup, off his own back, in a Leeds shirt.
Yet once again, Calvert-Lewin was lazily asked about Carlo Ancelotti’s advice, as if that is the absolute key to his success and not Farke’s management, Leeds’ tactics suiting him or Calvert-Lewin’s stunning form.
“Is it your best form since playing under Carlo Ancelotti at Everton?,” Calvert-Lewin was asked, clearly annoyed he had to answer: “People love to hang onto that, don’t they? That was a long time ago.”
Leeds now sit in 16th place in the Premier League table, seven points above the drop zone and boasting a striker who is in the form of his life. Certainly, he is a better striker than Arsenal’s £64m man right now.
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