Leeds United pundit's reunions, Gray gratitude, billionaire 'homecoming' and off-camera Spurs moments — YEP 5/10/25
By Graham Smyth
The YEP’s take and off-camera moments from Leeds United’s
2-1 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur.
Leeds United go into the international break with eight
points and more than their fair share of what-ifs.
Against Tottenham Hotspur the Whites were, once again, very
competitive and could consider themselves unfortunate not to take a point from
the game. Keeping themselves in the match gave them an opportunity to take
points but missed chances were to blame for the second week running.
Here's the YEP take on Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Elland Road.
Good day
Joe Rodon
The ex-Spurs man is proving he's up to this level. Losing to
his former side will not have felt good and you could see the frustration in
his body language in the final moments but he's started the season well and
against a very good attack he acquitted himself well.
Bad day
Pascal Struijk
His start to the season has been good enough to keep Jaka
Bijol out of the side but this was a disappointing afternoon. He was unable to
defend Mathys Tel for the first goal and couldn't do enough to stop Mohammed
Kudus for the second. In between he was beaten in the air as Karl Darlow and
the bar saved Leeds.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Without the striker doing that lone targetman role, Leeds
would not have a lot of the chances they create because they simply wouldn't
have the platform to play from. Calvert-Lewin is winning aerial battles,
knocking the ball down and bringing others into play. But he's not taking the
chances that are presenting themselves. He's had five in the last two games. He
has to be finding the net.
Thomas Bramall
A refereeing performance that held promise in the first half
when he was letting things go. Then he wobbled and became very inconsistent and
started to award very soft free-kicks for just about anything. Leeds were right
to feel aggrieved given the inconsistency and how so much went the visitors'
way. His inability to deal with time-wasting was particularly disappointing.
But officiating did not cost Leeds any points in this game.
Off-camera moments
Director Peter Lowy emerging into the directors box long
before the game with a huge grin. "I love this place, feels like coming
home," said the billionaire heir.
Jermaine Defoe taking a break from his broadcast duties to
sign autographs for young Leeds fans down at the front of the West Stand.
Stuart Dallas, in the mandatory pundit shoes, having a joke
and a hug with Jack Harrison on the pitch, while Lukas Nmecha and Defoe had a
catch up.
Home fans giving Archie Gray's name a little cheer as it was
announced over the public address system pre game.
Thomas Frank exchanging warm greetings with Edmund Riemer
and Chris Domogalla as he passed the home dugout. Daniel Farke then emerged and
had a long embrace with the Spurs boss.
Pascal Struijk escorting little mascot Noah off the pitch so
that Ethan Ampadu could fulfil his captain duties for the coin toss.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin using a Spurs offside as a chance to
go back and have a chat with Karl Darlow about his long kicks upfield and where
they should go.
Gray coming out to warm up in the first half to a rendition
of 'you're Leeds and you know you are' from the Kop and West Stand.
Joe Rodon having a word with himself as he prepared to
attack a second half set-piece with Leeds 2-1 down, visibly geeing himself up.
Jack Harrison and Pascal Struijk having a conversation about
what they needed to do as a new left flank pairing while they waited for Spurs
to make a change.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison having a former
Everton reunion on the pitch as Noah Okafor went and complained to the
officials. Ampadu had already shepherded a number of his team-mates away from
the officials.
Archie Gray going on a lap of Elland Road to applaud the
remaining fans and having a brief chat with Dallas.
