Report: Leeds United 1-1 Blackburn Rovers — Leedsunited.com 1/1/25

A late goal each means the points are shared.

To begin the calendar year of 2025, Leeds United faced a tough opponent in John Eustace’s visiting Rovers side at Elland Road.

In a hard-fought game throughout, both goals came in the final minutes of the match, as Pascal Struijk’s penalty was quickly cancelled out by Danny Batth’s close-range leveller to share the points.

Whilst the Whites sat top of the Sky Bet Championship table, the away side were in fifth after a strong opening half of the campaign and had recently won the reverse fixture with a one-nil scoreline.

Getting underway on the afternoon of New Year’s Day, the opening 10 minutes or so were quiet in terms of big chances, but Leeds had the majority of the early possession.

Pascal Struijk forced Aynsley Pears into a routine save from a header off a Brenden Aaronson corner. Moments later the ‘keeper was nearly caught out by Joel Piroe who charged him down, but the Rovers stopper hacked the ball away at the final moment.

The match had been stop-start with small fouls, injuries and set-plays at either end, but no real openings had been forthcoming. Blackburn were forced into a first change of the match as we approached the break, Yuki Ohashi coming off with Harry Leonard his replacement.

Shortly before the break came one of the more memorable attacking chances, Dan James broke in behind the Rovers defence and played low ball across the box, but with Piroe waiting to turn home, Dominic Hyam was there to clear the danger.

That was to be that before the break and despite five minutes of added time, the whistle sounded and sent the teams back into the tunnel on level terms.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 0-0 Blackburn Rovers

Back out for the second 45 minutes and it was Daniel Farke this time that had gone to his bench. Sam Byram came off and was replaced by Max Wober, in a straight swap at full-back.

That change was followed with another enforced one just a few minutes into the half, as Ethan Ampadu replaced Jayden Bogle, as the full-back had picked up a knock.

The atmosphere inside Elland Road was ramping up and the Whites were probing the Blackburn defence, searching for a way through.

The space and opportunity was coming on the wings, through James and Manor Solomon, who played dangerous balls into the area in search of a finish.

With 20 minutes to go, Farke opted for a triple change. Mateo Joseph, Patrick Bamford and Willy Gnonto all entered, freshening up the forward line and looking for an opener.

The subs were making an impact after coming on. From a Blackburn attack, James recovered the ball and broke free down the right and found Gnonto in the middle. He then played Aaronson on the wing, who cut inside, created space and shot, but curled his effort over the bar.

With just three minutes to go, Gnonto set Wober free down the left-hand-side, he crossed into the box and Joseph took a touch before being brought down, meaning referee Oliver Langford pointed to the penalty spot.

Stepping up from the back, staying calm and sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to find the back of the net was Struijk!

Just two minutes later though, the away side equalised. From a deep cross into the Leeds box, the ball fell loose and Batth was there to finish at close range.

Straight after the goal, 10 minutes of stoppage time was announced, meaning both teams had time remaining to go in search of another, and coming close was Wober who forced Pears into an excellent save at his near post.

Despite the best efforts of the Whites pushing for a winner, a flurry of late yellow cards did arrive, but no more goals were forthcoming meaning both sides would take a point from the game.

FULL TIME: Leeds United 1-1 Blackburn Rovers