Leeds 4-3 Bournemouth: Crysencio Summerville strikes late once again - Mail 5/11/22
Leeds 4-3 Bournemouth: Crysencio Summerville strikes late once again to cap off a valiant fightback for the home side and secure three points for Jesse Marsch's team at Elland Road
Leeds took the lead after just three minutes through a
Rodrigo Moreno penalty
Goals from Marcus Tavernier and Philip Billing put visitors
ahead at the break
Dominic Solanke added a third for Gary O'Neil's resurgent
team after half-time
But Sam Greenwood and Liam Cooper levelled the game after
the interval
Before Crysencio Summerville once again scored a dramatic
winner
By CHRIS WHEELER
Leeds were down and they looked out. So too perhaps was
Jesse Marsch. Elland Road was simmering with unrest. The barometer for Marsch
and his players had moved back into the red zone. Back into trouble.
A week after an incredible late win over Liverpool at Anfield had bought the manager more time in the wake of a 3-2 defeat to Fulham here, his team were 3-1 down again to fellow strugglers Bournemouth with half an hour left.
The American stalked the touchline, head down, hands stuffed
in the pockets of his anorak, wondering what to do. Then he made the changes
that transformed the game.
Marsch sent on Sam Greenwood and the substitute scored.
Next, Greenwood had an assist for Liam Cooper’s equaliser.
Elland Road erupted. The boos at half-time were forgotten as
the Leeds fans roared their team on to snatch winner.
In the 84th minute, it arrived. Another substitute, Willy
Gnonto set off from midway inside the Bournemouth half pursued by a pack of red
and black shirts.
Gnonto timed his pass to perfection, slipping the ball
through into the path of Crysencio Summerville, Leeds’ match-winner at Anfield.
Summerville kept his cool again, striding into the box to bury his shot beyond
Mark Travers.
In doing so, the young Dutchman became the youngest Leeds player to score three goals in consecutive top-flight games for Leeds since Alan Smith in 2001. As the ball hit the back of the net, there were fireworks over Elland Road. Literally.
Say what you like about Leeds, and their defending as a team
in particular, but this is a group still playing for their manager. Still
believing. Still fighting. Still putting Marsch through the mill.
Has he enjoyed the last two weeks? ‘No,’ he replied
instantly. ‘I hope it doesn’t continue this way. I want to make it simple, but
it’s not the Leeds way.
‘I feel like we never have simple victories. Consistency
makes life easier for a manager instead of living on the edge emotionally.
‘But at half-time, I could tell by the players’ faces that
they knew we could – and would – win this match.’
And what of poor Bournemouth? They were excellent for much
of the game and had enough chances to put it to bed before half-time. Marcus
Tavernier stood out with a goal and two assists.
But it’s four defeats on the bounce now after interim
manager Gary O'Neil went unbeaten in his first six games.
