Yorkshire Evening Post writer Graham Smyth singled out midfielder Anton Stach and left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson after Leeds United’s latest Premier League match.
In preparation for their return to the English top flight after a two-year absence, Leeds made 10 additions to their squad for manager Daniel Farke, who himself will no doubt be desperate to rectify public opinion on him after his time in the Premier League with Norwich City.
From their first four matches, Leeds have won one, drawn one and lost two, taking four points from the 12 available to them. On paper, it is a solid enough return for the Whites, though it is clear that the West Yorkshire side are struggling to generate goals.
Against Fulham, the Whites never looked overly likely to score–Leeds have netted just one goal, a penalty, this season–but the team put in a solid performance against an equally solid Fulham side, managed by the brilliant Marco Silva.
Losing in heartbreaking fashion to a 94th minute own goal at Craven Cottage, Graham Smyth highlighted two particular Leeds players in the immediate aftermath of the game.
‘It Was A Real Gut Punch’
In the match’s dying embers, Fulham swung in a corner that, almost inexplicably, struck the head of Gabriel Gudmundsson and deflected into Leeds’ own net, beating Karl Darlow who, in his first Premier League game for several years, had played exceptionally well.
Gudmundsson, a summer arrival from Lille, has been one of United’s better performers in the early stages of the season and against Fulham, had a similarly strong game until this cruel twist of fate. Discussing the Swede, Smyth said:
“Gabriel Gudmundsson. Having performed so well for 94 minutes it was a real gut punch to score in his own net in such a bizarre manner. The left-back defended so well throughout and handled Adama Traore really well. His haunted-looking face at full-time said it all.”
Gudmundsson was not the only player mentioned by Smyth, who also shone a light on Anton Stach, yet another summer signing. Acquired from Hoffenheim, Stach has been another of Leeds’ best players to date, a combative and physically imposing midfielder with an impressive technical ability.
The match against Fulham, though, was arguably the first one in which Stach really struggled for Leeds. Talking about the German, Smyth said:
“The midfielder’s overall performance wasn’t terrible but it wasn’t his best. Far from it. And when it came to set-pieces he didn’t deliver – quite literally on occasion. He has to do better than hitting the first man.”
Leeds’ lack of goal threat could be their undoing this season, something that could be especially bitter for fans to take given that, to date, their midfield and defence have shown themselves to be a solid unit (excluding their thrashing against Arsenal). For Stach and Gudmundsson, Farke must hope that they, like his other players, can pick themselves up ahead of their next Premier League game.