Brentford 1-1 Leeds: Dominic Calvert-Lewin rescues point with ANOTHER goal — Mail 14/12/25

Brentford 1-1 Leeds: Dominic Calvert-Lewin rescues point with ANOTHER goal as Daniel Farke claims he could return for England

By LUKE POWER

Dominic Calvert-Lewin for England?

People would have laughed at the question in the summer. But after his goal to salvage a point here - his fourth in as many games - Leeds boss Daniel Farke floated the possibility.

'He has a chance to be in the spotlight,' he said. 'If Thomas [Tuchel] has any questions, he can come and speak. Thomas can always call me.'

Calvert-Lewin, 28, was serenaded to the tune of 'Last Christmas' by the adoring away supporters and they will certainly back him to build on his 11 caps.

For 70 minutes, this tie sucked the life out of west London. Residents in the flats overlooking the Gtech Community Stadium began to fear it might even damage their property's value. A ball going flat in the first half was an apt metaphor for proceedings.

Then Jordan Henderson stepped up. Thank God. His strike - a first in the Premier League for more than four years - pulled the pin on the grenade and set up a lively finish.

Leeds are making a habit of gutsy comebacks and it was thus little surprise, 12 minutes later, to see Calvert-Lewin head beyond Caoimhin Kelleher and ensure the spoils were shared.

Have Leeds found their survival formula?

Daniel Farke’s recent switch to a 5-3-2 produced barnstorming performances against Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool.

This game was generally as dull as a shipping forecast, but a point at Brentford is enough to justify sticking by this strategy. The Bees had five wins in seven home games before this; Leeds had lost six of seven on their travels.

It gives Leeds more stability. They are much less vulnerable to counter-attacks and Calvert-Lewin is free to pick battles deeper or out wide.

Farke said last month that finishing 17th would be a ‘great success’. The German showed little inclination to risk his precious point here, only making his changes when they had gone behind, and he was happy with a draw.

'It’s a really valuable point on the road for a newly promoted side,' he said. 'Brentford’s home record speaks for itself. The feeling was still that we could have won the game.'

Calvert-Lewin's revival

Calvert-Lewin’s resurgence continues. He is the first man to score in four consecutive Premier League games for Leeds since Michael Bridges in 2000. This was a battling performance.

There were fears in the summer when Leeds signed him as a free replacement for Patrick Bamford. Weren't they just switching out one injury-prone marksman for another?

So far, he is scoring all types of goals and he already has five this campaign. He's only bagged more than that in one of his last four seasons. Leeds must keep him fit.

'He was very unlucky the last couple of years,' said Farke. 'Right now he delivers on a weekly or twice-weekly basis. It’s remarkable. We’re blessed to have him. For me, he’s one of the best English strikers.'

Farke's savvy game management

Farke is often criticised for his game management – particularly for making changes too late - but he pulled another blinder here.

All three of his substitutes were involved in the goals against Liverpool earlier this month and here the addition of Wilfried Gnonto - as well as a switch to a back four - changed the game.

Gnonto’s risk-taking had Brentford on the back foot. He made two key passes – as many as anybody else – and one of those was the cross for Calvert-Lewin’s goal.

'I have to praise my lads for the resilience and belief they showed to keep going,' Farke said. 'It feels like they could have rewarded themselves with a few points. But happy with a point and the performance.'

Brentford find a new source of goals

The worry for Brentford is that they are too reliant on Igor Thiago and set-pieces. The £31million man has notched half of their 22 league goals this season - and five of those have been penalties.

They struggled to break down their visitors here. Besides feeding the ball out wide to Michael Kayode to cross it in, or relying on a moment of inspiration from Dango Ouattara, it was hard to discern their attacking plan and they only managed eight shots in total - only just over half that of Leeds.

But Andrews gave Henderson more licence to go forward this game and got his reward - and there may be more of that to come.

'That triangle down the right of Dango, Kayode, and himself have worked pretty well,' Edwards said.

'I wanted to encourage that a bit. I think it’s an element of Jordan historically being front-footed.'