Leeds 1-1 Brentford: Kevin Schade scored the opening goal before Calvert-Lewin salvaged a point in the second-half
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Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored Leeds’ equaliser (Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA)open image in gallery
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored Leeds’ equaliser (Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA)
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Dominic Calvert-Lewin fired a late equaliser as Leeds fought back to salvage a 1-1 draw against Brentford in their opening home Premier League game of the season.
Calvert-Lewin converted substitute Lukas Nmecha’s low cross in the 79th minute after Kevin Schade had given Brentford a deserved half-time lead.
Leeds had been given the runaround for the first 45 minutes by a slick Brentford side who dominated, but Leeds responded to boss Daniel Farke’s tactical changes during the break and will feel they deserved their point.
There is a real sense of optimism at Elland Road. Back-to-back wins at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League and Carabao Cup have given them early momentum after last season’s strong finish.
Further evidence of the club’s intent to become a top-flight force can be seen all around the stadium after work started on its redevelopment in May, initially on increasing capacity in the West Stand from 8,000 to 17,500.
But if Leeds’ start to the season had been very good, Brentford had set it ablaze, thrashing Tottenham and Birmingham in their opening two games and scoring nine goals in the process.
And the Bees made an impressive start. Igor Thiago’s thumping drive was beaten away by James Trafford and Keane Lewis-Potter’s effort was blocked.
Trafford was serenaded with chants of ‘England’s number one’ on his home debut and he kept out Nathan Collins’ header before former Leeds winger Jaidon Anthony’s shot was blocked.
James Trafford impressed for Leeds against Brentfordopen image in gallery
James Trafford impressed for Leeds against Brentford (Reuters)
Mikkel Damsgaard’s low effort was next to test Trafford before Leeds were forced into an early change, with Joe Rodon limping off holding his left hamstring and replaced by recent signing Nico Elvedi, who made his league debut.
Leeds, outnumbered in midfield and struggling to retain possession, began to look increasingly stretched and it was no surprise when the visitors took a 40th-minute lead. The home side failed to clear a succession of crosses and Lewis-Potter’s ball in from the left was swept into the top corner by Schade.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke responded at half-time, withdrawing Jaka Bijol and Brenden Aaronson for Ao Tanaka and home league debutant Harry Wilson, switching to a 4-3-3 formation.
The changes appeared to work. Noah Okafor’s shot was saved and James Justin arrowed a low shot inches wide.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin salvaged a point for Leeds with a second half goalopen image in gallery
Dominic Calvert-Lewin salvaged a point for Leeds with a second half goal (Getty)
But the visitors continued to threaten, with substitute Dango Ouattara’s shot blocked and Michael Kayode’s effort deflected for a corner.
Leeds substitute Daniel James clipped a shot off target after he had raced clear and the home side were rewarded for pushing forward in numbers when they levelled with 11 minutes remaining.
Another substitute, Lukas Nmecha, showed perseverance to win back possession down the right and his low cross picked out Calvert-Lewin, who steered home his first goal of the season.
Both sides chased a winner. Thiago’s header from Ouattara’s cross was well saved by Trafford before James and Wilson both threatened for the home side in the closing stages.