Leeds United flak-taker's response, Tyler Adams reception and off-camera moments vs Bournemouth — YEP 28/9/25
By Graham Smyth
The YEP’s take and off-camera moments from Saturday’s 2-2
draw versus Bournemouth at Elland Road.
Leeds United unearthed a new set-piece taker and left a
former Elland Road favourite in no doubt about his current reputation in their
draw against Bournemouth.
The 2-2 draw was a physical battle but an entertaining game
and it was one that Leeds really should have won. Who saw that coming?
Daniel Farke and his men perhaps but few outside the camp
would have tipped them to get the best of Bournemouth for such significant
parts of the game.
And had it not been for those small details in the 93rd
minute they would have celebrated an incredible victory. A point, before the
game, was a good result and in time it will likely be seen as such again.
Here's the YEP take.
Good day
Sean Longstaff
What a bit of business the central midfielder is turning out
to be. He covers so much ground, makes so many good decisions and gets his foot
in where he needs to. He was key to Leeds' physicality against Bournemouth but
added a previously unseen dimension to his game with those corners. Where has
he been hiding them, then? It was almost comical how many times he found the
head of Joe Rodon and it counted for a goal, at least. But the moment of the
match was that strike that Longstaff sent into the net, off the post. He scores
goals too.
Gabriel Gudmundsson
Leeds United's performance was summed up by that moment when
Gudmundsson fought and fought for the ball down by the byline, immediately
prior to Longstaff's goal. The left-back has been performing well and this was
another impressive display. He defended so smartly, locked down his flank and
when he got the ball to attack he was clever and dangerous.
Brenden Aaronson
Whether or not he makes a great draft excluder, the American
could walk off the pitch with his head up. He's taken plenty of flak, some of
it warranted, and there were frustrating moments in this game too - he lost the
ball too easily a couple of times, got a pass wrong for Jayden Bogle and was
beaten too easily on occasion - but even Andoni Iraola saw the contribution he
made for the hosts. He had a hand in two early chances, used the ball well in
the second half and never stopped running and tracking back. When Leeds have
all their right wingers fully fit it's hard to see Aaronson starting every home
game but he did a job against Bournemouth.
Bad day
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
For all his good work, hard work and aerial prowess,
Calvert-Lewin will look back on this game as one he should have made a much
bigger difference in. The three chances were all ones he should be putting
away. A hat-trick inside 20 minutes and Leeds go on to walk this game. His
standing ovation was deserved because he was key to the way Leeds played but as
a highly-paid first-choice Premier League number 9 you can't be missing all
three of those chances.
Tyler Adams
From his first appearance on the pitch to his exit from the
game late on through cramp, Adams was told in no uncertain terms what they
think of him at Elland Road. He was lucky to get away with no yellow card for a
late challenge on Anton Stach, heard the stadium erupt when Ethan Ampadu left
one on him in an aerial battle and was jeered off when substituted. You could
say he had the last laugh because Bournemouth scored the late equaliser, but as
the heavy favourites against a newly-promoted side he and they cannot be overly
pleased with what transpired at Elland Road. For a combative midfielder,
hearing his manager say that Leeds were superior in the physical battle must
sting a little even if he came in for praise for his performance.
Off-camera moments
Coach Christopher John embracing Noah Okafor and giving him
a mini pep talk prior to the possession game at the end of Leeds' warm up.
Skipper Ethan Ampadu then geed up the outfield players, along with Gabriel
Gudmundsson.
Alex Cairns zipping an incredible strike past Illan Meslier
from distance and earning an appreciative grin from striker Lukas Nmecha.
Willy Gnonto being escorted around the ground by a security
staff member and ducking so as not to get in a photo being taken pitchside. He
didn't really need to duck.
Lucas Perri and club MD Robbie Evans greeting the players as
they came off at the end of the warm-up. The South Stand then let Tyler Adams
know what they thought of him.
Revie Boy and all-time legend John Giles being introduced to
the crowd to receive a lifetime achievement award from Evans on the pitch.
Karl Darlow dropping his water bottle in his six-yard box as
he attempted to applaud the fans behind the goal prior to kick-off. The keeper
then went and had a touch of the match ball in the centre circle.
Ampadu screaming at the left flank to give him an option.
Longstaff screaming at the right flank to get forward.
Fitness coach Chris Domogalla running down the touchline to
give Okafor an energy gel with an hour gone, as Andoni Iraola complained to the
fourth official.
Meslier spotting that Jack Harrison's vest under his shirt
needed pulling down at the back and doing the necessary.
