Daniel Farke was happy to take a point from Leeds United's second Premier League outing of the new season as his team came up against a lively Brentford side at Elland Road.
Both sides came into the match on the back of flying starts to the campaign, but it was the visitors who would dominate the first half and deservedly go in level at the break.
Leeds improved after manager Farke made tactical changes and substitutions in the second half, but it was still looking like hard work until Dominic Calvert-Lewin came up with an equaliser from close range 11 minutes from time.
“Definitely a good point for us,” said Farke. “A very difficult, complicated game like expected, Brentford in red hot form.
Goalmouth action from Leeds United's draw with Brentford.placeholder image
Goalmouth action from Leeds United's draw with Brentford.
"They were excellent in the first half and fully deserved to be in the lead at half-time and they were the better side.
"I'm very proud of my boys of the reaction because I've asked a lot.
"Once you have such a good start to the season, back to back wins on the road at Nottingham in the league and then the cup and then the first home game everyone is expecting.
“But then a red hot and in-form side Brentford shows up and plays such a first half, so much quality. It was difficult for us.
Dan James about to get a shot in for Leeds United after coming on as a second half substitute.placeholder image
Dan James about to get a shot in for Leeds United after coming on as a second half substitute.
“Also difficult with injuries. We had to substitute a key player like Joe Rodon out and then in the second half, I was asking a lot from our players because we changed the base formation at half-time, brought new players again in after the substitution first half.
"We got control back but didn't find more or less a solution in order to open them and create chance to score goals.
"We changed again the base formation in the end again until we then more or less ask the right question and we found a way to open them and to equalise and the final minutes, even to push perhaps for a winner.
"It would have been perhaps even a bit too much out of this game because you have to say that Brentford with this excellent performance deserves a lot.”
Lukas Nmecha did well after coming off the bench against Brentford.placeholder image
Lukas Nmecha did well after coming off the bench against Brentford.
Farke added: "I'm very happy with our defensive behaviour because you have to go back a long while when Brentford has just scored just one goal and are not used to so little.
"We could have been a little bit braver in the first half, that's right yes. We played with too many long balls and too many balls into Dominic and went for second balls.
“But after a difficult first half to be adaptable and then to play in different positions is outstanding. We showed again mental resilience and also never say die attitude.
“Out of many, many aspects, I'm very happy with this point and especially with the performance and the reaction of my players."
Shirt tugging goes unnoticed as Leeds United attack.placeholder image
Shirt tugging goes unnoticed as Leeds United attack.
Brentford showed their intentions right from their kick-off as they hammered the ball long and immediately sent men into the home box, only to see a shot blocked.
Igor Thiago had a cross-shot beaten away by keeper James Trafford who was also called into action in the first 10 minutes to save comfortably from a Nathan Collins header.
The first real chance fell to former Leeds winger Jaidon Anthony off a swift break, but his shot was well blocked by Jaka Bijol.
Two minutes later Mikkel Damsgaard saw his angled shot saved by Trafford and Leeds were in danger of being overrun at this stage.
Ethan Ampadu did manage a shot for the hosts in the 20th minute but send his effort from range well wide.
It was mostly back pedalling from the Whites, however, and only a terrific interception by Anton Stach prevented Brentford from converting another of their lightning breaks.
When United did get in good positions they wasted them with too many crosses not finding their target.
It was no surprise when the Londoners took the lead as a defence which otherwise performed admirably switched off for a few seconds to allow Kevin Schade to score with a clever flick four minutes from half-time.
It was, perhaps, a consequence of some reorganising being done after Rodon's hamstring injury saw him have to limp off.
Brentford could have doubled their lead soon after, but after being left unmarked from a corner Thiago headed wide.
Big changes were needed and Farke responded by switching to a back four with Ao Tanaka on to beef up the previously passive midfield.
Now it was Brentford being pushed back for spells and they needed a clearance after Noah Okafor fired in a dangerous angled shot.
James Justin forced visiting keeper Caoimhin Kelleher into his first save with a well struck low shot from just outside the box.
Brentford were struggling to create anything now, although there was a scare when Schade went down under a challenge from Jayden Bogle. Replays showed the home defender did make contact with his opponent's foot, but not with sufficient force to bring about a penalty. The exaggerated fall from Schade also did not help his cause.
The Whites had their best chance of the game in the 72nd minute when a clever flick by Lukas Nmecha sent fellow sub Dan James through as the only player in the visitors' half. For some reason he went wide, however, and sent his shot over.
But it was a warning shot and Nmecha's next contribution was a telling one as he turned well in the box and fired the ball goalwards where Calvert-Lewin was well placed to score from close range.
Brentford responded and had a chance to restore their lead through Thiago's header, but Trafford saved well and the follow-up was sent wide.
Leeds kept going for a winner, but James and Stach sent shots wide and they had to settle for their point.
Leeds United 1
(Calvert-Lewin 79)
Brentford 1
(Schade 41)
Sunday, August 30, 2026
Premier League
Attendance: 35,971
Leeds: Trafford 8; Rodon 7 (34 Elvedi 7); Bijol 6 (45 Tanaka 7), Muharemovic 7; Bogle 6 (68 James), Ampadu 6, Stach 6, Justin 7; Aaronson 6 (45 Wilson 7), Okafor 6 (68 Nmecha 7); Calvert-Lewin 6.
Brentford: Kelleher 7; Kayode 7 (88 Hickey), Ajer 7, Collins 7, Lewis-Potter 7 (88 Henry); Janelt 7, Sangare 7; Anthony 7 (61 Outtara 6), Damsgaard 8 (69 Yarmoliuk 6), Schade 7 (88 Wilson); Thiago 7.
Referee: Tony Harrington 6