Leeds United took on Reading in the English Championship earlier tonight hoping to earn all three points from this clash at the Elland Road. The home side began the match on the front foot and created a number of good opportunities to score. However, the Royals held firm to go into the half-time break with a goalless scoreline.
The Whites came out in the second half looking to make a breakthrough, and they were rewarded with a goal at the hour mark courtesy of Stuart Dallas’s finish from close range. The West Yorkshire outfit battled valiantly but conceded a penalty which the Royals couldn’t take advantage of. The match finished with a narrow 1-0 scoreline in favour of Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
Let’s take a look at how each Leeds United player fared during the match against the Royals.
GK: Bailey Peacock-Farrell – 7.5/10
The Leeds goalie was mostly untroubled during the game but did his job well when called into action. He saved the crucial penalty in the dying embers of the contest to earn all three points for the home team.
RB: Stuart Dallas – 8.5/10
It was another excellent outing for the Whites makeshift full-back! He looked a threat down the right flank (duh!) and ended up slotting home the winning goal of the game from four yards out.
CB: Kalvin Phillips – 6.5/10
Playing as a makeshift centre-back, Phillips was able to adapt to his new role quite well. However, the Peacocks missed his creativity in midfield which raises the question of whether he should be played out of position at all.
CB: Liam Cooper – 7/10
He kept his composure and defended his own half valiantly to secure a clean sheet on the night.
LB: Barry Douglas – 7/10
He missed a great chance to score early on. However, Douglas continued to push on and delivered some dangerous balls into the Reading box from the left flank.
CM: Adam Forshaw – 6/10
He struggled to make an impact in the game and was not able to be inventive enough at the middle of the park.
RM: Pablo Hernández – 6.5/10
The Spaniard started off a bit slow but showed some flashes of his brilliance during the first half. He linked up well with Saiz in the second half and looked more of a threat going forward.
CM: Mateusz Klich – 6/10
He worked hard in the first half but initially found it hard to get going. However, Klich came back strong and put on a much better showing in the second half.
CM: Lewis Baker – 4/10
He was full of effort but struggled to keep up with the pace of the game which led to his early substitution at half-time.
LM: Ezgjan Alioski – 4/10
The Leeds winger squandered an excellent chance to score early on. To make things worse, he got booked for diving which is why Bielsa took him off at half-time.
ST: Kemar Roofe – 7/10
The Whites forward was a menace inside the opposition penalty box but was unlucky to have witnessed two of his goal-bound shots expertly saved by Anssi Jaakkola.
Substitutes:
CAM: Samuel Saiz – 7.5/10
He completely changed the game for the home side after coming on at half-time. Saiz played an integral part in the win as his creativity helped Leeds push on and make a breakthrough.
LM: Jack Clarke – 7/10
He came off the bench to replace Alioski and made an instant impact down the left wing.
CM: Jamie Shackleton – 6/10
He was brought on for the final quarter of the match to provide some fresh energy in midfield.
