Leeds United heartache written on haunted face, full-time angry words and off-camera Fulham moments — YEP 14/9/25
By Graham Smyth
Graham Smyth with things you might have missed from
Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Fulham
London has often been where Leeds United go to suffer
heartache and the trip to Fulham was no different. The worst thing about this
latest disappointment in the capital was how late in the day Fulham's winner
arrived. A draw was on the cards, the fifth point was almost in the bag and
then a freak goal changed everything. Including the mood.
Here's the YEP take.
Leeds United Good Day
Karl Darlow. He won't consider it a good day, however he was
good on the day. A first Premier League game for four years and a point to
prove after the Sheffield Wednesday game but he produced some sublime saves.
His performance was everything it needed to be and there was no fault to attach
to him whatsoever for the goal. He deserved a point at least.
Leeds United Bad Day
Anton Stach. The midfielder's overall performance wasn't
terrible but it wasn't his best. Far from it. And when it came to set-pieces he
didn't deliver - quite literally on occasion. He has to do better than hitting
the first man.
Gabriel Gudmundsson. Having performed so well for 94 minutes
it was a real gut punch to score in his own net in such a bizarre manner. The
right-back defended so well throughout and handled Adama Traore really well.
His haunted-looking face at full-time said it all.
Jaka Bijol. The big Slovenian is having to be ultra patient
having signed as a player everyone thought would start games for Leeds. Neither
Joe Rodon nor Pascal Struijk gave much away at all against Fulham and would
have deserved a clean sheet had it arrived. Bijol may have to keep on waiting
for now.
Off-camera moments
Noak Okafor and Gabriel Gudmundsson drilling long-range
aerial switches to one another towards the end of the warm-up, while the
right-sided pair Jayden Bogle and Brenden Aaronson kept it simple with shorter
passes on the deck.
Ao Tanaka giving Lukas Nmecha a playful clip round the ear
as they debated who should go in the middle first for the substitutes' rondo.
Pascal Struijk opting to go long under pressure and putting
the ball in a good area that forced Fulham to concede a throw, as Daniel Farke
rose from his seat to applaud and stick his thumb in the air.
Longstaff calming everyone around him down after a frenetic
spell of football.
Some words exchanged between Leeds sports scientist Tom
Robinson and Marco Silva at full-time.
Gabriel Gudmundsson apologising to the away end at
full-time.
Harrison and Iwobi having a catch up before Okafor had a
chat with the Fulham man.
