Leeds United had a flying start of their 2017-18 Championship campaign under Thomas Christiansen but suffered two defeats in previous three league outings and their last gameweek defeat against Cardiff City has dislodged them from the top of the table spot. Their Sunday trip to Hillsborough was a tricky encounter against Carlos Carvalhal’s Sheffield Wednesday who despite being a promotion favourites this term, have struggled to find momentum so far and were humbled by bitter rivals Sheffield United followed by a 1-0 defeat against Birmingham City on Wednesday night.
A win was required for both of these promising outfits to get back to winning ways and achieve their season objective of earning a Premier League promotion. The visitors, however, failed to come up with any sort of resilience throughout the game and the struggling home team secured an easy and dominating 3-0 win against the Peacocks.
Below are the Leeds United players rated from their Shambolic defeat against the Owls.
Felix Wiedwald: 6
The German custodian conceded thrice but saved his side from further humiliation and kept them in the game for a long time. Pulled off a few decent stops including Gary Hooper’s second-half effort and denied him from scoring a hat-trick.
Luke Ayling: 5
Ayling did not offer much in the attack like he usually does as he struggled against Reach and Wallace throughout the game. Failed to provide enough defensive cover as well.
Matthew Pennington: 5.5
The Everton loanee started the game in place of suspended Liam Cooper. Started the game brightly with crucial blocks, tackle, and clearances but faded off with time as he could not contain the veteran striking duo of Steven Fletcher and Gary Hooper.
Pontus Jansson: 6.5
Jansson looked solid defensively with passing accuracy, strong tackling and intercepting skills along with crucial blocks and clearances. Was unlucky as his effort was cleared off the line in the second half. His game, however, ended up with misfortune as he was stretchered off the field following an injury and was replaced by Stuart Dallas.
Gaetano Berardi: 5.5
Did not offer much in attack and mostly concentrated on his defensive duties due to immense pressure from the home side. Was forced to feature as a makeshift centre-back following Jansson’s departure with an injury.
Eunan O’Kane: 4
An afternoon to forget for the Irish international as he lost duels, was dispossessed a couple of time dangerously and his error led Kieran Lee to score the Owls’ third late in the second half.
Kalvin Phillips: 5
Was not at his best as his efforts lacked accuracy. His passing and long balls lacked end product and failed to snatch control of the game in the middle of the park.
Kemar Roofe: 5.5
Roofe has been one of Leed’s top performers this season, but the Englishman failed to leave an impact this afternoon as he lacked accuracy in his final deliveries and was taken off around an hour mark to be replaced by Pablo Hernandez.
Samuel Saiz: 7
Saiz looked purposeful with his runs and tried to create opportunities up front for Lasogga. Impressed with his dribbling skills and delivered a couple of key passes. Won a number of duels but could not guide his side to constitute a reaction.
Ezgjan Alioski: 5.5
Alioski had very few touches of the ball. Delivered a few crosses but mostly remained non-functional before being replaced by Hadi Sacko.
Pierre-Michel Lasogga: 6
Lasogga failed to convert the chances he got. Was unlucky as his effort struck the woodwork early in the second-half which could have staged a comeback for the visitors.
Substitutes
Pablo Hernandez: 6
The veteran Spaniard was introduced in place of Kemar Roofe. Tried to hold the ball and create chances up front, he, however, failed to alter the outcome.
Hadi Sacko: 5.5
Came in place of Alioski. Tried to link up with Lasogga upfront but failed to make any noteworthy contribution.
Stuart Dallas: 5
Was introduced in place of injured Pontus Jansson and played in a makeshift left-back role for the remainder of the game.
