Leeds United, the team leading the Championship standings on goal difference, hosted second-placed Swansea City at Elland Road this afternoon in a top of the table battle. Both the sides maintained an unbeaten record ahead of the tie, but the hosts once again paid the price for their poor conversion rate. A late winner from Wayne Routledge handed them a massive setback before the international break.
Below are the Leeds United players rated in their 1-0 defeat against Swansea City.
Kiko Casilla: 6
Was forced to make a decisive save to deny Matt Grimes late in the first half. But he could have done little to stop Wayne Routledge late in the game as he scored a winner to sneak in a massive win for the visitors.
Stuart Dallas: 7.5
Kept on sending crosses inside the Swansea box banking on his overlapping runs from a makeshift right-back role. Had a couple of efforts blocked by the resilient Swansea backline.
Ben White: 7
A stunning interception from the young centre-back denied Borja Baston and Bersant Celina from exposing the Whites defensively. Struggled at times aerially against Borja Baston.
Liam Cooper: 6.5
Returned to action after recovering from a minor injury woe. Was in the right place at the right time while defending deep and kept the composure against a lethal Swansea attack. Had a huge opportunity to break the deadlock moments prior to the half-time whistle, but his header hit the woodwork, and the rebound was put over by the Leeds skipper.
Ezgjan Alioski: 5.5
Was clumsy while tackling and failed to threaten enough with his trademark runs from the left-hand flank. Created a few chances, linked up well with Harrison initially but was unable to make an overall impact before being replaced by Barry Douglas late in the game.
Kalvin Phillips: 7
Had a comprehensive outing deep down the midfield despite suffering a disappointing defeat. Was combative to win the ball back, and broke down several Swans’ moves in the centre of the pitch.
Pablo Hernandez: 6
Was not at his best in spite of forcing Freddie Woodman into making a decent save. Tried to create menace from the wide areas. However, was well contained by Steve Cooper’s men on most occasions.
Mateusz Klich: 6.5
Tried to carry the ball forward from the middle of the park, linked up with the attackers with key passes and long balls, and also made a couple of successful dribbling attempts down the middle to open up space in the Swansea defence. Was replaced by Helder Costa midway through the second half.
Adam Forshaw: 5.5
Offered little from his central role barring a couple of strong runs and crosses. Lacked enough composure high up the pitch, and also struggled to build the game up from the deep as his passes were way too obvious and not imaginative enough.
Jack Harrison: 5.5
Started the game lively but faded off with time. Most of his dribbling attempts were unsuccessful, and the young Manchester City loanee failed to make an impact once more from the left-hand flank.
Patrick Bamford: 5
Looked sharp inside the box but missed a couple of opportunities which should have been converted. Was replaced by Nketiah around the hour mark.
Substitutes
Edward Nketiah: 5
Had a couple of massive opportunities to grab the go-ahead goal, but the Arsenal youngster was wasteful in the attacking third. The hosts paid the price in the closing moments by conceding against the run of play.
Helder Costa: 5.5
Offered little since coming on and failed to make any notable impact except a few swift runs from the wide areas.
Barry Douglas: NA
Played too little to warrant a rating.
