Brighton’s record signing makes his mark to deny Leeds — Independent 5/9/26

Brighton 1-1 Leeds: Luka Vuskovic headed the equaliser after Jayden Bogle gave the in-form visitors the lead in the first half

Edward Elliot

Brighton’s club-record signing Luka Vuskovic headed his first goal in English football to earn a 1-1 Premier League draw at home to Leeds.

Daniel Farke’s unbeaten visitors were on course for victory at the Amex Stadium after Jayden Bogle tapped home a 15th-minute opener.

But Croatia defender Vuskovic – a £46m summer arrival from Tottenham – earned the Seagulls a share of the spoils by nodding in Maxim De Cuyper’s corner 19 minutes from time.

Injury-hit Brighton lacked creativity for large spells but were rewarded for a much improved second-half display and could have snatched a late winner through Pascal Gross.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin wasted a golden first-half chance to double Leeds’ lead, while Ao Tanaka, who assisted Bogle’s opener, struck the crossbar and also had a goal disallowed for offside at 1-0.

The result leaves the West Yorkshire club with five points from their opening three top-flight fixtures, with the Seagulls a point behind.

Leeds, who made three changes following last week’s 1-1 draw with Brentford, went ahead with the game’s first goalmouth action.

Seagulls goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen saved Calvert-Lewin’s header from a Nico Elvedi cross but Japan midfielder Tanaka turned the loose ball back across goal for right-back Bogle to tap home.

In the continued absence of midfielder Jack Hinshelwood, wingers Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh and former Leeds forward Georginio Rutter, Brighton were struggling to threaten, while appearing shaky in defence.

Leeds sought to capitalise and should have gone further in front.

Calvert-Lewin was sent clean through in the 23rd minute but, after rounding Verbruggen, his attempted finish into the unguarded net was hacked off the line by the sliding Lewis Dunk.

From the resulting right-wing corner taken by Anton Stach, Tanaka’s volley at the back post bounced into the ground before clipping the top of the bar.

Diego Gomez thumped a volley straight at Leeds keeper James Trafford at the other end before a smattering of boos from disgruntled home supporters greeted the half-time whistle.

The away side wasted another good chance when Stach’s low effort was repelled by the right boot of Verbruggen in the 48th minute. Brighton then survived a further scare after Tanaka’s volleyed finish from a Stach free-kick was disallowed for offside on review.

Albion desperately needed to rediscover the attacking threat which yielded 11 goals in their last three games in all competitions.

Seagulls midfielder Gross curled narrowly wide and Charalampos Kostoulas struck a tame shot straight at Trafford after weaving through the opposition defence, either side of Calvert-Lewin being booked for catching Yasin Ayari in the face with a raised arm.

Brighton’s increased pressure paid off in the 71st minute.

After Trafford tipped wide from Malick Yalcouye, De Cuyper delivered a dangerous inswinging corner from the right and Vuskovic climbed highest to nod in at the back post.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler was left frustrated in 89th minute when Gross lashed over from inside the 18-yard box before Leeds substitute Lukas Nmecha went close at the death.