Dominic Calvert-Lewin dragged Leeds United level in a more-than-deserved 1-1 draw at Brentford.
This evening brought a huge game at the bottom of the table for United. Travelling to Brentford, we were looking to extend a gap to West Ham, who lost this afternoon to Aston Villa.
Brentford were by no means pushovers coming into this game despite successive 2-0 defeats. A formidable home force and a significant task for Daniel Farke to overcome.
Most Read on LeedsAllOver
Dominic Calvert-Lewin towered home equaliser as Leeds United fight back for Brentford draw
Brentford v Leeds on the Super Sunday 4.30pm slot promised to be a flat affair before a ball was kicked. The first half was just that. I mentioned on X that the stoppage for the deflated ball was perhaps too ‘on the nose’ as a metaphor.
However, Leeds were the better of the side in that half and after the interval. As has been all-too-common this season, though, the lion’s share of chances didn’t yield the opener.
On 70 minutes, Jaka Bijol turned in Jordan Henderson’s effort beyond Lucas Perri for 1-0.
Farke responded with a double sub, importantly introducing Willy Gnonto. Nine minutes later, Gnonto wrapped a delightful cross into the path of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who rose incredibly high to turn in a delightful header for 1-1.
Leeds United’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin scores their first goal (Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley)
Ethan Ampadu saw a late effort zip narrowly wide as United chased the winner that didn’t come. But, a point on the road against one of the best home sides in the division should not be scoffed at.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin makes exciting claim on his fitness in Sky Sports studio
For Calvert-Lewin, that’s four goals in as many games, and five for the campaign. Many doubted his ability to find form that would fire Leeds to points on the board, but he’s currently doing that.
Importantly, he’s (currently) keeping himself fit, which is impressive given he only joined us days prior to the season starting.
Post-match, he trekked up to the Sky Sports studio, in which he revealed this current form is the best he’s felt for a while.
“I’m feeling good,” he said. “The performances are speaking for themselves. I’m feeling good, I’m feeling healthy.
“I think this is the fittest I’ve been for a long time, I’ve worked extremely hard to get in this position.
“You know, when you get a certain narrative around you, and you’re tarred with a certain brush, it’s quite hard to shake it.
“So, for me it’s always about being mentally tough and hanging in there step-by-step, day-by-day, putting performances together. All of a sudden, the tide starts to turn and you start scoring goals.
“That’s the life of a centre-forward.”
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is helping revolutionise Leeds United’s attack
We were much better than an 82nd-minute equaliser for a draw suggests. You could argue we deserved more.
However, it’s another big moment from Calvert-Lewin to get us a result, and long may it continue.
I have thought this season that his injury problems are overblown. He’s been largely fine for a while now, especially when you compare him to the striker we wanted on a likely club record fee before Calvert-Lewin the currently injured Rodrigo Muniz.
It’s great to see that Calvert-Lewin is finally looking at his best. And, it’s because we’re playing to his strengths.
Read more: Leeds United station scout at Europa League clash this week.