Leeds will be kicking themselves knowing that, not for a collective injury time snooze at the back, they would be sitting pretty alongside Arsenal and Man City in the top half of the table.

A late, late goal from exciting young Frenchman Eli Junior Kroupi rescued a point for a Bournemouth team that were outfought for the majority of the game and can count themselves lucky that the game was not already dead and buried. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was guilty of missing three big chances in the first half, when he should have done better.

Andoni Iraola’s post-match interview, when asked about the physicality of the game, said, “Normally, we are good in that type of game, but Leeds have been excellent in the duels and fighting for the ball. Difficult for us.” And there was none more so physical than ex-Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff, who is thriving at his new club.

Leeds will be disappointed, but would have likely taken a point at the start of the game. They will need to pick themselves back up against another tough fixture next weekend when Tottenham Hotspur visit Elland Road.

Most Leeds fans have long since thought it, but yesterday was the first evidence that Ethan Ampadu, Tyler Adams’ replacement, is a step up in class.

The Leeds captain is not the flashiest of players, but his ability to shield the back four, constantly screening and mopping up loose ends, is what anchors what is looking like a very solid defence.

This is by no means a knock on Adams, who plays similarly important for the Cherries but perhaps with less of the composure. And with a price difference of nearly £19m, it is easy to see who got the better deal.

  • Noah Okafor will frustrate.

The Swiss International came to Leeds relatively late in the window, injury prone and with something to prove after underachieving at AC Milan. It’s easy to see that there is a lot of talent there, with his unique ability in one-on-one situations and his ability to take on a defender both inside and out. However, equally, there will be times when he will frustrate fans and his manager alike.

Last week, away to Wolves, Okafor produced the most number of dribbles (14) by an individual in the Premier League since 2019. Equally, he only completed six of those, giving the ball away the other eight times. Leeds need creativity, and the lesson Okafor will have to learn is to take those risks in the right areas of the pitch. And it is a risk Leeds must accept if they do want to stay up this season.

  • Leeds are competitive and can beat most teams in the league on their day

Ignoring the 5-0 thumping from Arsenal, Leeds have competed in every game this season and really ought to be sitting on 11 points. Bournemouth came to Elland Road with three wins and only one defeat, against last season’s champions Liverpool. They are a good side with a very good young manager. However, Leeds will feel unlucky not to have taken all three points, and they really should have.

We may still only be in September, but the Whites have already shown more than enough to suggest they will be competitive in the majority of games. And if there is one thing they should have learnt from late goals at Fulham and Bournemouth, it is that you cannot switch off for a second in this league, or you will be punished.

  • Longstaff on track for McTominay-like breakout season

Okay, perhaps not quite, but the former Magpie looks to be thriving with the added responsibility at his new club. Legs, work rate and experience are what were promised when Longstaff signed in the summer, but we are quickly learning that there is more to his game than just that.

Ao Tanaka might be easier on the eye, but it is difficult to see how he regains his place in the side without injuries and suspensions coming into play. And Leeds might have found a new secret weapon that they perhaps did not know they had themselves: set-piece delivery. His delivery from corners at the weekend were what Leeds have been crying out for since Pablo Hernandez, evidenced by the equaliser in the first half. All in a league that has become more physical, more set-piece dominated than at any time in the past 25 years.

And a goal in the second half, which should have been the winner. Leeds will be hoping there are more of them to come.