Ex-Leeds United man's full-time angst, Bogle question, academy reunion and off-camera Bournemouth moments — YEP 23/4/26
By Graham Smyth
The YEP’s take and off-camera moments from Leeds United’s
2-2 draw at AFC Bournemouth.
Leeds United go to Wembley in the best possible mood and
frame of mind after their late, late show at Bournemouth snatched a precious
point.
The Whites are next in action in the FA Cup semi-final
against Chelsea and what better way to prepare than celebrating a 97th-minute
equaliser that took them to the potentially magic 40-point mark? Here's the YEP
take.
Good day
Sean Longstaff
How's that for a contribution? Match action has been hard to
come by for Longstaff and yet when the chance arose to score his second banger
of the season against Bournemouth he did not falter. A fringe player scoring
that kind of goal, in the 97th minute no less, just adds to the feelgood factor
in the dressing room ahead of the FA Cup semi-final. Not to mention it puts
Leeds on 40 points. What a way to get there. Safety beckons.
Daniel Farke
His changes helped get Leeds back in the game. Both goals
came from his substitutes - albeit the first was an own goal forced by Willy
Gnonto. Farke has now guided Leeds to 40 points and he is so close to being
able to say 'job done.' Many critics have been silenced this season and he will
be due huge credit at the end of the season.
Pascal Struijk
Bournemouth are not the biggest team in the division but
Struijk's aerial dominance was still impressive. What's more he mopped up
situations on the deck, too. And just about played Evanilson offside. Only
just. It was a fine display from the centre-back, one that almost definitely
safeguarded his place in the team for Sunday's semi-final.
Bad day
Andoni Iraola
The Cherries boss has done a wonderful job this season and
got them into a fantastic position. But he was not a happy man at full-time and
went to the referee's room to debate Leeds' leveller. In his press conference
he expressed his anger, frustration and disappointment that the goal was
allowed to stand. One manager went home delighted, the other with a very
different emotion. Just like at Elland Road really, when Bournemouth snatched
an ill-deserved point.
Tyler Adams
He came within seconds of being able to say he set up the
winner and silenced the fanbase of his former club. Instead he ended his night
complaining to the officials and making VAR gestures to a referee who simply
held out his hand, palm up, to say 'enough please.'
Jayden Bogle
The right wing-back had a pretty torrid first half and took
a heavy challenge that clearly left him in pain. Any kind of injury just prior
to an FA Cup semi-final is going to be a stressful situation but there's a real
chance now, even if Bogle's problem is not a serious one, that Joe Rodon comes
back into the side and James Justin goes to wing-back. Leeds cannot afford to
creak on either flank against a team with attacking threat out wide like
Chelsea possesses.
Off-camera
Sebastiaan Bornauw and Facundo Buonanotte playing rock,
paper, scissors to settle a debate over who had to go in the middle of the
rondo. Buonanotte lost. The two later collided inadvertently and Bornauw seemed
to come off second best.
Sean Longstaff greeting fourth official Sam Allison as he
watched the warm ups.
A Bournemouth staff member saving Joel Piroe from a football
that was coming down out of the atmosphere with snow on it.
Alex Cairns needing to be snake hipped to get out of the way
of a Dominic Calvert-Lewin shot that clipped the post and headed straight for
the keeper.
Piroe shaping up for a shot and Buonanotte repeatedly
passing footballs to hit the ball the Suriname international was lining up.
Cairns and fellow Thorp Arch academy graduate Lewis Cook
having a lengthy chat outside the tunnel at the end of the warm-ups.
The temporary goal that Leeds were shooting into during
their warm-up falling over and trapping a Bournemouth staff member in the net.
Andoni Iraola berating Allison for not letting Alex Jimenez
back on the pitch sooner after his 30 second break following treatment. It was
soon Daniel Farke's turn to complain after Jayden Bogle was pinged for a foul.
Farke telling his players 'pressure on the ball' after an
uncomfortable couple of minutes early on. He was furiously gesticulating at
Brenden Aaronson midway through the half and doing an impression of the
attacker jogging back as the Cherries countered.
David Brooks, carrying his shinpad, showing the linesman
where he felt Ao Tanaka had caught him in a challenge the officials deemed
fine.
Marcus Tavernier and Lukas Nmecha having a joke as the
second half was about to get underway.
Bornauw remaining in the dugout while his fellow subs warmed
up at half-time, after a chat with a fitness coach.
Tyler Adams making a VAR gesture to the officials as they
walked off. The American then went and hugged a few Leeds staff members.
