Leeds United trio's bad day, difference maker, celebrity photo pursuit and off-camera moments — YEP 15/9/24
By Graham Smyth
Leeds United welcomed Will Ferrell to Elland Road on
Saturday but gave their minority stakeholder little to laugh about as they
flopped to a 1-0 defeat to Burnley.
The Whites might have dominated play but the difference was
in how clinical Burnley were with their one big chance. Leeds missed both of
their golden opportunities and then failed to break down the visitors'
defensive shell in the second half. This is the YEP take.
Good day: Junior Firpo
The left-back has started the season well and continued his
run of solid outings against Burnley. His and Manor Solomon's early work made
Leeds' left flank dangerous. What's more he was solid defending, too. There was
some leadership on display too, with words for players not doing their bit
properly.
Good day: James Trafford
This was a goalkeeping performance that made a difference.
Foiling Willy Gnonto from close range, tipping Ethan Ampadu's effort over the
bar and coming to take crosses under heavy pressure, Trafford was an assured
and effective presence in the area for Burnley.
Bad day: Daniel Farke
The criticism over his style of play and how Leeds address a
stubborn and ultra-defensive opposition was always going to flare up early this
season and Burnley were the first to bring it out in earnest. For all the
attacking players he was able to put on the pitch, Farke could not arrange them
in a way that broke the Clarets down. Nor could he score goals on behalf of his
attackers, two of whom missed first half sitters.
Bad day: Jayden Bogle
He has had his difficulties since the season began and most
of those have been defensive. Against Burnley it just wasn't a good performance
all round. New signings need time to bed in and get used to a system and
perhaps he will find his feet soon enough. He'll need to, to give Leeds' right
flank the same profile and performance level as Firpo is giving the left one.
Bad day: Joe Rodon
Came into the game with a minor hip complaint but battled
through it, still put his body on the line with challenges and physicality and
then found himself on the deck covered in blood. The clash of heads with
Brownhill was a painful, ugly-looking one and not long after Rodon was replaced
so Leeds could go with a more attacking look. Rodon wears his frustration on
his sleeve and looked hugely disappointed at full-time. A bad day for his team
and a sore hip and sore head for him.
Off-camera moments
Daniel James signing an autograph for an appreciative Leeds
fan outside the entrance to the West Stand. The winger has to sit out the next
four weeks through a re-injured hamstring.
The Leeds squad arriving decked out in the new shell suit.
Ethan Ampadu, the birthday boy, getting hold of a stray
Burnley ball that landed in the middle of the Leeds warm up and ceremoniously
booting it as far into the air as he could. There were some passive aggressive
looks in the reaction of the visitors as James Trafford sent a succession of
practise goal-kicks into the Leeds half of the pitch. Seconds later the captain
was geeing up the outfield starters ahead of a possession game.
Will Ferrell making his directors box entrance with Paraag
Marathe. Then the Other Guys and Anchorman star went pitchside and sat in the
dugout before having a chat with Daniel James and Harry Christy. James, in
particular, had been keen to meet the actor and get a photo.
Hannibal trying and failing to get a rise out of Pascal
Struijk as they jostled in the Leeds half of the pitch, the Burnley man giving
his marker a faux-friendly slap on the chest.
Substitutes Sam Byram and Josh Cullen, both formerly of West
Ham United, catching up as they warmed up on the touchline.
Ampadu signalling to Leeds to keep playing after Hannibal
went down claiming a foul. The Burnley man felt he was caught by Struijk but
was soon back to his feet when he realised the game was still going on.
Hannibal gesturing to the scoreboard, sarcastically
applauding and holding his arms out wide to the Leeds fans as he walked around
the pitch after being substituted, until the fourth official had words.
James Trafford turning to the South Stand and holding his
arms aloft as Burnley celebrated their 1-0 victory.
Ferrell being spotted on a London-bound train out of Leeds
after his first taste of Elland Road.