Nothing went Dominic Calvert-Lewin's way on his eagerly-anticipated Leeds United debut. The forward was wasteful in front of goal, missing three glorious opportunities after coming on as a second half substitute in the Whites' Carabao Cup clash against Sheffield Wednesday.
To compound Calvert-Lewin's miserable evening, the former Everton striker launched his penalty high over the bar in the resulting shootout as the Owls prevailed 3-0 to book a place in the third round of the competition. It was a night for Calvert-Lewin to forget.
But ex-Aston Villa man Gabby Agbonlahor has leapt to Calvert-Lewin's defence, saying it will take time for the player to get up to speed. “He missed a few chances, but you can’t criticise someone who hasn’t played much football in the last year,” Agbonlahor told talkSPORT. “He had problems at Everton, you’ll get the idiots laughing at him because he’s missed a few sitters.
“And he skied his penalty, but it’s probably going to take him a month, playing a few more U21 games to get up to speed. Then he will be in a much better position to help Leeds.”
Farke refused to criticise Calvert-Lewin for his lack of sharpness in the final third. "Three chances he had in the game; I am happy he has the chances as he shows his instinct again," he said. "For him it is like a little pre-season. He desperately needed minutes today to build up his fitness."
Calvert-Lewin will be hoping to make his United home debut when Farke's men host Newcastle United this Saturday, kick-off 5:30pm.
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