The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Monday 16th September) Textbook counter strike destroys Leeds unbeaten start to league
Good Morning. It's Monday 16th September, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road
Textbook counter strike destroys Leeds unbeaten start to league
Injury ravished Burnley recorded their first Elland Road victory in eleven years with a textbook counter-strike, ending Leeds unbeaten league start to the season.
There was little to get excited about from either team; it was more Mary Poppins than war of the roses. The game lacked inventiveness, proficiency and bite. Leeds were clearly the better side, but without a customary killer ball from Rutter or a clinical finish from Summerville, they gradually ran out of both ideas and steam.
A moment of individual magic is what was needed to unlock the Clarets defence. Manor Solomon was the only player on the pitch capable of providing such wizardry. Early on, his pace, skill and vision put the other 21 players to shame, but it would be the young Israeli whose uncustomary error would cost Leeds the game.
Halfway through the first half, with the hosts in cruise control, Solomon slipped, gifting the ball to
Luca Koleosho. The young Italian sprinted to the other end of the pitch, naturally scoring (as is customary these days). Leeds looked sluggish getting back to defend, only arriving back in their own area after the ball had whistled past Meslier.
Solomon tried to make amends, and was unlucky not to win a penalty after being bought down by Worrell. It's difficult to tell whether the defender got any of the ball, but a tackle from behind in the penalty box usually results in a spot kick from 12 yards, but not in James Bell's eyes.
Leeds had chances of their own to get on the scoresheet, but Joseph missed the target when one-on-one with Trafford, whilst the shot-stopper did well to smother Gnonto's goal bound effort. Both teams cancelled each other out after the break; a textbook smash n grab with little resistance from Daniel Farke or his mediocre group of players.
Could Hannibal face FA charge
Hannibal Mejbri's cross-country route back to the Burnley dug has created quite a stir on social media!
The former Manchester Utd midfielder was subbed of in the 73rd minute, but instead of going quietly, decided to take the long route back, staring down the Leeds faithful, gesturing, and at one stage pointing to the 1-0 score-line.
It took him almost five minutes to get back to the Clarets dug out, by which time flanked by two Leeds stewards. Fans from the red side of Manchester were quick to show their appreciated for their former starlet whilst bewildered supporters from the opposite side of the Pennines have demanded an FA charge.
Leeds didn't do enough to get anything from the game
Zian Flemming defended Burnley's victory over the Whites at the weekend, claiming Daniel Farke's side didn't do enough to get anything from the game!
Whilst Leeds showcased their offensive prowess with 17 total shots and an impressive 71 percent possession, the attacking midfielder, (on loan from Millwall) expressed skepticism about Leeds ability to convert their chances:-
“The first half we scored the goal; I think we had more chances to score another one even,” We looked a threat in the first half and the second half we got pushed back a little bit more, it was more defending.
“Overall, [James] Traff made a few good saves, but still I didn’t have the feeling that they had massive chances. They had maybe the one that was offside. Even though they were building pressure on us and giving us a tough time, I think our final third was outstanding.”
“Those games need to have a bit of everything, this is not one that you’re just going to turn up and win,” “Obviously, Elland Road, Leeds, it’s one of the toughest, if not the toughest games of the season and we’ve done it!”