A surprise home defeat against Wolves has jeopardised the playoff hopes for Garry Monk’s Leeds United who are now seventh in the league table as Fulham have overtaken them on goal difference banking on a few successive productive outcomes. With three games remaining in this campaign, the Peacocks were determined to turn things around in their trip to Burton who are fighting to retain their Championship status.
However, a clash at Pirelli Stadium proved to be a disastrous afternoon for the visitors who suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Burton Albion.
Below are the Leeds United players rated from this fixture.
Robert Green: 6
The veteran Englishman was alert and impressed with his outing, punching and clearances. Conceded twice in quick succession in the second half. Could have done better with his positioning while conceding from Marvin Sordell’s strike. Made a couple of excellent stops in closing moments.
Luke Ayling: 5
Ayling kept on making overlapping runs down the right-hand flank and whipped in a few crosses. Came close in the first half but failed to direct his header into the back of the net. Lacked defensive contribution.
Kyle Bartley: 6
Bartley posed aerial threats from set-pieces and he nodded home from a corner in the early minutes, but his effort was ruled out due to infringement. Did well with defensive blocks, tackles and clearances. Lost his concentration and conceded twice in quick succession but the skipper pulled one back from Wood’s header to keep his side in the game.
Pontus Jansson: 5.5
His aerial presence from set-pieces troubled the Brewers. But he failed to find the target from a free header in second half and Burton netted a brace within a couple of minutes.
Charlie Taylor: 6
Had a quiet afternoon as he mostly concentrated on his defensive duties. Made a few forward runs but should have been more functional down the left-hand flank. Had an improved second half from attacking point of view and delivered a few decent crosses inside the Brewers box.
Kalvin Phillips: 6.5
Phillips played the central role in an inexperienced Leeds midfield alongside teenager Vieira. Ran tirelessly and helped his side to hold possession in midfield. Should work on his shooting skills. Was replaced by Alfonso Pedraza in the middle of the second half.
Ronaldo Vieira: 6
Returned to the squad after missing last two games due to illness. Tried his best to help his attackers with impressive through balls and passes.
Pablo Hernandez: 7
Hernandez did his best to engage his fellow attackers and stretch the game in both the flanks. However, the Spaniard failed to break the deadlock despite increasing pressure with his shots, crosses and passes.
Kemar Roofe: 6
Impressive footwork, pace and runs down the right-hand flank helped his side to create threats in opponent’s box. But his efforts lacked end product. Came close to draw a late equaliser, but his effort was cleared off the line.
Souleymane Doukara: 5
Doukara was handed a start after a few impressive displays from the bench. Made his presence known inside the box, but the winger struggled to get into the game on most occasions and was taken off at around an hour mark to be replaced by Hadi Sacko.
Chris Wood: 5.5
Championship’s top scorer lacked support from his teammates and was well contained by Burton back-line. He set up the Leeds goal as his header across the goal was poked in by Bartley. But it was not good enough as the Peacocks suffered another shambolic defeat that has now made things difficult to achieve a play-off place.
Substitutes:
Hadi Sacko: 5.5
Came in place of Doukara. Whipped in a few crosses, made a few impressive runs. But his side conceded twice and he failed to stage a turnaround.
Alfonso Pedraza: 5
Was brought in to break the deadlock, but Leeds’ conceded twice against the run of play and he failed to make any noteworthy contribution to overturning the deficit.
