Leeds 2-1 Wolves: Rayan Ait-Nouri own goal secures Jesse Marsch's side an opening weekend win at Elland Road including video highlights - Sky 6/8/22
Rodrigo levelled for Leeds after Daniel Podence's early opener; Rayan Ait-Nouri's own goal completed Leeds' turnaround at Elland Road.
Zinny Boswell
Jesse Marsch's new-look Leeds got off to the perfect start
as they came from behind to beat Wolves 2-1 at Elland Road.
Wolves dominated the second-half, but were pegged back when
Rayan Ait-Nouri turned Patrick Bamford's cross into his own net (74) to give
Leeds the three points.
The visitors had initially taken the lead through Daniel
Podence's half-volleyed effort (6) and rode their luck when goalkeeper Jose Sa
took out Rasmus Kristensen in the penalty area unpenalised.
Rodrigo Moreno was on hand to equalise (24), beating Sa at
his near post with his weaker right-foot, before the own goal - which was
initially awarded to debutant Brenden Aaronsen - completed the turnaround.
"I'm taking credit for it," said Aaronson.
"It came off my shin somewhere in there".
Wolves were effective with the few chances they created in
the first half and took the lead through Podence's effort - after a Hwang
Hee-Chan nod down - bounced into the ground and cruelly over the head of Leeds
goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
There was a contentious moment less than 10 minutes later as
Sa collided with Kristensen in the area after recklessly coming off his line to
claim a cross. Neither the referee nor the VAR deemed it a foul to the
amazement of Clinton Morrison, who told Soccer Saturday: "I have no faith
in VAR".
Marsch's side responded well and put Wolves under intense
pressure and it paid off as Aaronson, who was a live wire throughout, won the
ball back inside the Wolves box to create the opportunity for Rodrigo to fire
the ball underneath Sa at his near post.
Wolves increased their width in the second half and looked
like a new side, creating dangerous moments through Podence and Pedro Neto on
numerous occasions, with Leeds right-back Kristensen producing a last-ditch challenge
to deny a goalscoring opportunity for the visitors.
For all the Wolves pressure, it was Leeds that got the all
important goal as Patrick Bamford delivered an early low cross for Aaronson at
the back post. The USA international, who arrived from RB Salzburg, wheeled
away as if he had swept home, but it was subsequently awarded as an Ait-Nouri
own goal.
What's next?
Leeds have a favourable opening run of fixtures, facing only
two of the 'big six' - Chelsea and Manchester United - in their first 10
matches. They travel to Southampton on Saturday August 13; kick-off 3pm.