Leeds United failed to find the net for the third consecutive Premier League fixture as the pressure to find a solution in the final third intensifies on Daniel Farke.
As Gabriel Gudmundsson scored an unfortunate own-goal to consign Leeds to their second defeat of the Premier League season, the Whites’ failings in attack were brought into sharper focus.
Leeds started the game with a defensively minded set-up, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin led the line, with only wingers Noah Okafor and Brenden Aaronson for company. They played in front of a midfield trio which was full of industry but lacked a cutting edge.
Calvert-Lewin and Aaronson had the best two chances for the visitors as the Leeds number nine headed straight at Bernd Leno in the first half, before the German denied Aaronson from a tight angle in the second half as Daniel Farke was unable to find the right combination in attack.
After the game, Farke urged not to “expect miracles” from his struggling forward line, after they drew a blank from open play for the fourth game in succession, a new record for Leeds. However, this will only serve to increase the pressure on his forward line, ahead of the must-win game against Wolves.
Photo by Mike Morese/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Speaking in his post-match press conference, via The Athletic’s Beren Cross, Farke attempted to defend his struggling attackers, particularly Dan James, Brenden Aaronson and Jack Harrison, after his side drew another blank.
Urging Leeds fans not to expect too much from the trio, who all featured in Leeds’ last relegation season, Farke said: “James, Harrison, Aaronson with us when we were relegated, and they were called hopeless.
“They still have a point to prove that these judgments are not right. We have this type of offensive players and I’m looking forward to improving them, but we shouldn’t expect miracles.”
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Aaronson was a lightning rod for criticism among the Leeds fanbase against Fulham, as chants for Willy Gnonto erupted around the stadium while the Whites toiled in attack in the second half. Harrison was also subjected to boos from the crowd during pre-season as he looks to rebuild his relationship with the fans.
DF: “James, Harrison, Aaronson with us when we were relegated and they were called hopeless. They still have a point to prove these judgments are not right. We have this type of offensive players and I’m looking forward to improving them, but we shouldn’t expect miracles.” #lufc
— Beren Cross (@BerenCross) September 13, 2025
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Leeds fans are well aware of the side’s shortcomings in the final third, having missed out on a deadline day deal for Fulham’s Harry Wilson, and are willing to accept that the side will not be able to play the dominant style of football that led them to the Championship title last season.
However, Farke’s words only serve to increase the pressure on three of his players who are struggling to cut it in the top flight, especially when the dangerous Gnonto was left on the bench for the full 90 minutes.
Although Farke was most likely attempting to defend his players, his words also read like an attempt to wash his hands of Leeds’ attacking problems after a disappointing window.
With the likes of Jose Mourinho and Nuno Espirito Santo on the market, the Leeds boss needs to find a way to coax more of a threat out of his attacking players, or he could find himself under pressure in the near future.
Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty ImagesLeeds United on course for worst Premier League goal-scoring season
With just one goal in four Premier League games to date, Leeds’ problems up front are clear for all to see.
Although that ratio will almost certainly improve as the season progresses, if their current rate is extrapolated over the entire 38-game season, Leeds will score a meagre 10 goals this season.
Leeds’ lowest-scoring Premier League seasons:
*Current season – 4 games played
Leeds’ worst-ever goal-scoring season came in 1996/97 under George Graham, when they managed just 28 goals in a 38-game season, as fans took to singing “we’ll score again, don’t know where, don’t know when” to the tune of Vera Lynn’s wartime favourite, We’ll Meet Again.
Paradoxically, the Whites finished 11th that year, with 11 wins and 13 draws to give them a total of 46 points. Although it would not be the most exciting year, most fans would gladly accept that outcome today.