Leeds 1-1 West Brom: Hosts fight back through Luke Ayling - Mail 18/8/23

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Leeds 1-1 West Brom: Hosts fight back through Luke Ayling after Brandon Thomas-Asante seized the lead for the Baggies with a missed handball call at Elland Road

Brandon Thomas-Asante handled in the first goal as West Brom went ahead

Leeds equalised through Luke Ayling to secure a point in Championship clash

By ROSS HEPPENSTALL

Daniel Farke admitted the challenge of rebuilding Leeds United is 'one hell of a task' on an emotionally-charged night at Elland Road.

Brandon Thomas-Asante struck a controversial opener in the 52nd minute when Jayson Molumby's shot deflected in off his hand – but with no VAR in the Championship the goal stood.

Yet Daniel Farke's men – roared on by their vociferous crowd – got the equaliser they deserved 18 minutes from time when the impressive Dan James crossed from the left and captain Luke Ayling headed home at the far post.

The celebrations came against a backdrop of anger in the home stands with supporters voicing their disgust at Willy Gnonto as he looks to jump ship from Elland Road.

The Italy striker has handed in a transfer request as he bids to force through a move away – yet Leeds maintain he is not for sale after rejecting a £25million bid from Everton.

Gnonto was nowhere to be seen and seems unlikely to play for the club again while midfielder Tyler Adams is set for a switch to Bournemouth.

Winger Luis Sinisterra was also absent and is similarly expected to leave with Farke, alarmingly, able to name only five outfield players on a bench which included two goalkeepers.

Farke said afterwards: 'We need to strengthen the squad and have spoken openly and with transparency about this.

'Yes, we definitely need a few more additions if we want to be ambitious.

'It's a hell of a task – that's what I said on my first day here – but I don't want any sympathy and I don't complain about the situation.

'From tomorrow I will concentrate on this topic (transfer business).

'Until after the game, I didn't want to hear anything about transfers. I didn't want to be distracted.'

Leeds went close in the 26th minute when midfielder Jamie Shackleton's deflected shot rebounded off the inside of a post.

In the 51st minute, Jed Wallace's first-time effort was tipped onto a post by Illan Meslier.

From the subsequent corner, the ball fell kindly to Molumby and his low shot was deflected in by Thomas-Asante's hand.

Farke added: 'Normally I never comment on decisions by the referee because after the game you cannot change anything.

'Even the guys from Sky told me it was handball but it was offside as well.

'But there is no VAR in this league, so we have to accept it.

'Football can be the cruellest and most unfair sport in the world because they scored a goal which should have been ruled out.

'It was definitely a game where we should have got three points.

'We're still unbeaten at home and, from a losing position, we nearly turned the game around completely.'

After Ayling's leveller, chances came and went for both sides but Albion boss Carlos Corberan said: 'It was a fair result.

'We knew that this summer would be a challenging one, but I know the club is working hard to strengthen the squad.'

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