Despite the agonising nature of Leeds’ defeat against Fulham, there were some positives to take from the game.
A heartbreaking own goal for Gabriel Gudmundsson handed Leeds a defeat in the dying moments of the game, as the concerns over the attacking options available to Daniel Farke became a reality.
Leeds set an unwanted record in the game, going four games without a goal from open play for the first time in their Premier League history, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin led the line at Craven Cottage.
In many ways, Brenden Aaronson embodied Leeds’ performance as a whole, as his commendable work-rate was offset by a lack of end product, which was also the case across the Leeds attack and midfield. Leeds were resolute in defence, with Pascal Struijk standing tall in the back four.
Having also been praised by Tony Dorigo for his performance, Farke singled out stand-in goalkeeper Karl Darlow, as he produced two fine saves as Leeds looked to hold on in West London.
Photo by Cameron Howard/Getty ImagesDaniel Farke praises ‘rock-solid’ Karl Darlow
Speaking in the post-match press conference following Leeds’ defeat at Craven Cottage, Farke spoke highly of Darlow after he was drafted into the Leeds side following an injury to Lucas Perri.
According to Farke, Darlow’s performance has reduced the pressure on Perri’s recovery time as the Brazilian recovers from a muscle strain in his leg.
The Leeds boss said: “We are all happy that we have Karl because he’s an experienced guy. He’s so mature. Also, today, there were not too many saves to make, but when we needed him, he was there. He has good experience and is always positive.
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“He’s a guy who never cracks under pressure, and I’m pretty happy that we have such a mature and rock-solid goalkeeper who can step in when our number one, Lucas Perri, is out.
“It gives [Perri] also a bit more time, not to go on holiday, but it’s not like we have to push him and play him even though the injury is not fully recovered. So, we are all happy, and as long as we need Karl, I know he will perform really, really solidly.
“We have to make sure that once Lucas is back, then he’s hopefully also in top shape, and that he keeps going, but I’m not one per cent worried when Karl has to deliver because he’s shown this in each of the competitive games.”
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty ImagesThe numbers behind Darlow’s impressive Leeds United display
Leeds fans may have been concerned when they saw Darlow’s name on the teamsheet for the trip to Fulham, after his mistake proved costly in the EFL Cup defeat against Sheffield Wednesday.
However, the stats from FotMob show just how effective Darlow was before Gudmundsson’s cruel own goal robbed him of a clean sheet.
Darlow was given a 7.7 rating, the highest of any Leeds player, and produced two excellent saves to keep Fulham’s attack at bay.
According to the data from the game, his three saves from shots on target had a combined xG of 0.88, meaning he effectively denied Fulham a goal before Leeds’ resistance broke.
With Perri expected to miss at least the game against Wolves, Leeds fans will be reassured that Darlow can keep the Premier League’s bottom side at bay in a crucial encounter.