Leeds United 2 Fulham 3: Elland Road turns as Whites fall into relegation zone - YEP 23/10/22

Lee Sobot

A Leeds United side in freefall fell to a sixth defeat from their last eight games and dropped into the Premier League's relegation zone as Sunday's hosting of Fulham ended in a 3-2 defeat.

Leeds went ahead in the 20th minute as Rodrigo headed home from close range after a Jack Harrison shot had been deflected to the back post but Fulham drew level just six minutes later as Aleksandar Mitrovic escaped Luke Ayling to head home a corner at the near post.

The Whites then had chances to bag the game's third goal but so did Fulham and the Cottagers got it in the 74th minute when Bobby Decordova-Reid headed home an Andreas Pereira cross from the second phase of play from a corner.

The mood inside Elland Road turned and Fulham bagged a third goal in the 84th minute when Harrison Reed weaved through the Whites defence and set up Willian for a tap-in and the damage had been done before substitute Crysenscio Summerville pulled a goal back in the last minute.

The Whites have now gone eight games without a victory under boss Jesse Marsch who was met with a chant of “sacked in the morning” during the defeat which left Leeds level on points with bottom-side Nottingham Forest following a haul of just two points from a last possible 24.

Leeds made a bright start and threatened in the sixth minute after Harrison twisted and turned in the area before Fulham scrambled clear his cross as Harrison made a good beginning on the right flank. Five minutes later, Sam Greenwood lashed a swirling attempt over the bar from the edge of the box after a Brenden Aaronson lay off.

But Fulham were only denied an opening goal in the 15th minute by a terrific goal-line block from Marc Roca and tackle from Robin Koch which kept out a fierce drive from Reed having been picked out in the box by Antonee Robinson's cross from the left.

Fulham were becoming increasingly threatening and a Reed cross from the left then sailed through the box and wide. But Leeds went ahead in the 20th minute after Aaronson played in Harrison whose shot was deflected to the far post where Rodrigo calmly headed the ball home from close range with keeper Bernd Leno taken out having attempted to save Harrison's shot.

Fulham, though, drew level just six minutes later with the simplest of goals from a corner as Mitrovic found space far too easily at the near post and headed home Pereira's delivery. Four minutes later, the Cottagers squandered a glorious chance to go in front as Pereira raced through on goal from a counter attack but the attacker was unable to beat Illan Meslier who produced a terrific save one on one.

Fulham were looking dangerous and Koch made an important headed clearance in the box with Mitrovic lurking. Whites captain Liam Cooper was then booked for scything down Pereira as Fulham looked to break once more and Leeds then wasted a potential opening as a heavy touch from Rodrigo carried the ball out of play as he raced onto a Sinisterra pass down the channel.

Sinsiterra and Mitrovic both took knocks during the opening period but both emerged for the second half for which both teams were unchanged. Rodrigo had the first attempt of the second half as he cut inside in the 48th minute but fired straight at Leno.

Sinisterra then played in Aaronson but the American opted to turn inside before shooting and sent a curler over the bar.

A nice move down the left ended with Rodrigo flashing an effort well wide from a Harrison cross as the forward tried a difficult finish at the near post. Ayling then went close when smashing a drive just wide as Roca picked him out with a wonderful pass from a quickly taken free-kick. But Fulham wasted a fine chance on the hour mark as Palhinha was played in but got his feet in a muddle and the shot deflected wide.

Marsch then made a double change on the hour mark as Patrick Bamford and Crysencio Summerville were introduced for Rodrigo and Sinisterra, shortly after a Greenwood drive from the edge of the box was safely held by Leno.Just three minutes later, Aaronson played in Bamford who was one on one but Leno rushed out to save with his legs. At the other end, Mitrovic headed over from a very soft free kick and the Serbian striker then saw a shot deflected wide after a terrific piece of control and turn by Reed.

But it was from that corner that Fulham took the lead as United cleared but the Cottagers worked the ball out wide to Pereira whose cross picked out Decordova-Reid to finish with a glancing header. A chant of sacked in the morning aimed at Marsch then broke out before the American called for Mateusz Klich to replace Greenwood with 14 minutes left.

Another chant of sack the board followed and Marsch was then preparing to bring on Joe Gelhardt as United's fourth substitute but Fulham added a third goal in the meantime as Reed danced through the Whites defence and pulled the goal back for Willian for a tap in.

Huge boos followed before and plenty of fans heading for the exit before Gelhardt finally came on for Struijk and Leeds pulled a goal back in the 91st minute as Gelhardt played in Summerville who poked the ball home.

But the contest was done and the defeat left Leeds third-bottom after wins for Aston Villa and Leicester City as the final whistle was followed by more chants of sack the board.