Heading into added on time at Fulham, Leeds United looked as if they were going to have to make do with a second successive stalemate in the Premier League.
A point would have likely been taken as well after a valiant defensive display in West London saw Joe Rodon win a commanding five aerial duels, while Karl Darlow in between the sticks stayed alert throughout, with three big saves registered.
Unfortunately, an own-goal right at the death from Gabriel Gudmundsson would hand the Cottagers all three points, as the summer purchase from Lille accidentally placed a header past Darlow – after stopping a Fulham attacker from connecting with a late corner-kick – to break Leeds hearts.
This sucker punch shouldn’t detract too much from the otherwise committed defensive display on Leeds’ travels, but the loss did definitely highlight the lack of cutting edge Daniel Farke‘s relegation-threatened side possesses in attack, as another goal-shy performance was served up.
Leeds’ poor displays in attack
Since the opening day victory over Everton at Elland Road, Leeds have failed to score a single goal from open play, with that worrying trend continuing away at Marco Silva’s fortunate hosts.
Not even the added presence of new signing Noah Okafor to the starting XI could inspire an improved performance in the forward areas, with the former AC Milan winger failing to hit a single on-target effort at Bernd Leno’s goal, before being hauled off just shy of the 70-minute mark.
Brenden Aaronson did show occasional glimpses of quality down Okafor’s opposing right-hand side, with one big chance unfortunately squandered by the hot-and-cold American, but it was another flat display that will seriously worry Leeds in their hunt for more wins near the foot of the division.
In particular, one underperformer up top at Craven Cottage will have irked Farke to the point where he feels his spot in the first team is no longer concrete, with a huge clash at the bottom of the table coming Leeds’ way next against Wolverhampton Wanderers, demanding a more potent display in the attacking areas.
The “bang average” Leeds star who must now be axed
It’s not as if Fulham blew away the visitors either, with Silva’s men being restricted to just five efforts all afternoon due to a tight-knit Leeds defence routinely keeping them at bay.
However, there is always a possibility that a side will come back into a game if your own finishing is so wasteful, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin endured another frustrating day at the office, leading the line for the away team.
Having missed four big chances on his debut as Leeds were dumped out of the EFL Cup at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday, Calvert-Lewin would have been looking for a swift change of fortunes, lining up for Farke’s men on Saturday. Instead, the ex-Everton marksman would trudge off the pitch after 69 minutes, looking rather dejected by his unmemorable efforts.
Indeed, the 28-year-old’s overall numbers from the 1-0 defeat don’t paint a pretty picture, with Calvert-Lewin giving up the ball every three touches, just one glaring statistic of many that makes for some pretty grim reading.
Calvert-Lewin – Match Stats
Stat
Calvert-Lewin
Minutes played
69
Goals scored
0
Assists
0
Touches
15
Shots on target
0
Accurate passes
5/8 (63%)
Total duels won
6/6
Possession lost
5
Stats by Sofascore
The brand-new number nine did throw himself about valiantly with all six of his duels won, but it’s clear that Calvert-Lewin is still bereft of confidence in front of goal, with zero shots on target being registered at Leno’s goal, despite his commanding presence in the air.
His passive showing in terms of peppering Leno’s net would even see Sky Sports’ Michael Dawson, when speaking on Gillette Soccer Saturday, state that Calvert-Lewin was “bang average” throughout, with a starting spot now not looking so secure.
Further handed a low 6/10 rating post-match by the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth, who bemoaned Calvert-Lewin ‘needlessly’ finding himself offside throughout the tense affair, it will be interesting to see who the German picks for the crunch clash at Molineux.
With Joel Piroe and Lukas Nmecha also at the former Norwich City’s disposal up top, it could well be that one of those reserve faces gets the nod over the former England international shortly, as Calvert-Lewin has depressingly failed to hit the ground running in West Yorkshire.