Leeds United put in a dreadful performance as they were defeated 3-0 by Brighton on Saturday.
It was a terrible start which didn’t get any better for Leeds United, with Daniel Farke clearly instructing his side to sit deep and not press, which they didn’t look comfortable with.
Brighton soon took the ascendancy and went ahead through Danny Welbeck’s strike. Leeds managed to get in just one goal down at the break and tried to mount a comeback, but never really threatened the Seagulls before Diego Gomez tapped in the second in the 64th minute.
Leeds’ horrific day went from bad to worse when Jayden Bogle lost the ball, allowing Georginio Rutter to jink into the box and set Gomez up for a second.
Here’s how the players rated in a shocking performance.
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty ImagesLucas Perri – 6
Was caught out for the goal as he moved to cover the near post but left his goal exposed when the Mats Wieffer teed up Welbeck instead of shooting. It would have been a much worse scoreline if not for some great saves on his part, but he was very concerning in possession.
Jayden Bogle – 4
Jayden Bogle created Leeds’ best chance with his tantalising cross into the box and his side was more secure compared to the left, but a dreadful error led to the third goal.
Joe Rodon – 5
Made some strong headed clearances but couldn’t hide his frustration at teammates when the back line kept getting breached.
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Jaka Bijol – 3
A second suspect showing in succession for Jaka Bijol. The centre-back’s lack of pace was ruthlessly exposed by Brighton’s rapid attack, with his running technique reminiscent of a bad dream.
He went missing for the opening goal, was lucky that Yankuba Minteh dragged his shot wide after leaving him on the floor and couldn’t deal with Welbeck.
Gabriel Gudmundsson – 2
Gabriel Gudmundsson got a good early tackle in on Rutter but it was all downhill from there as he was given an absolutely torrid time by Minteh, who smoked him like a salmon.
The winger had Gudmundsson tied in knots with his quick feet, repeatedly beating him all ends up. Minteh created Brighton’s first two goals by beating him and will leave the left-back having nightmares tonight.
Sean Longstaff – 4
Split the Brighton defence open with an incisive throughball to send Bogle away and he was the best midfielder, but Leeds have become reliant on his set-piece delivery and it was nowhere near good enough.
Ethan Ampadu – 3
A poor display from the captain. Ethan Ampadu was sloppy on the ball and loose in his passing, which repeatedly played Leeds into trouble, and he struggled against his old teammate Rutter. Weak in the challenge and took out his frustrations with a nasty tackle that he could have been sent off for.
Ao Tanaka – 3
Looked lost at times, unsure whether he should press Brighton’s defenders on the ball or sit deep, ensuring he did neither effectively and made Leeds’ midfield very easy to play through. Tidy on the ball at points.
Brenden Aaronson – 3
A very nice pirouette on the ball aside, there was little of note from Brenden Aaronson. His performance against West Ham is looking like an anomaly.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 4
Another game has gone by in which Dominic Calvert-Lewin hasn’t scored and has been very quiet. Yes, he was largely starved of service but when the one great chance came his way, he again couldn’t take it. He failed to anticipate Bogle’s cross and didn’t even bother attempting to throw himself at the ball.
He went close in the second half and his work ethic can’t be denied, but he just isn’t providing any cutting edge up front.
Noah Okafor – 7
Tried to be the one bright spark for Leeds and clearly worried Brighton with his skill, given the number of times he was fouled. Tried his best, beating his marker several times and delivering some good balls, but was on his own and couldn’t make anything pay off.
Substitutes
Anton Stach – 5
Came close to scoring with a nice effort.
Dan James – 4
A couple of touches.
Lukas Nmecha – 4
Got Leeds’ first shot on target, perhaps could have done better after being played through.
Joel Piroe and James Justin – 3
Brought on when the game was long dead.