Cunha rescues point in the Roses Derby
Matheus Cunha struck in the second half to secure a point at Elland Road today. He had an earlier effort ruled out, but equalised within minutes of Leed’s opener to ensure we came away undefeated. Again was a match where we lacked a cutting edge and real creativity.
It kept up The White’s decent record in recent weeks under Farke that has seen them pull away from the relegation zone. They did go ahead via Brendan Aaronson but were quickly dragged back. It was a game that lacked the fire and drama of games like this in the past.
Ruben Amorim made one change from the draw against Wolves. Leny Yoro came back into a three man central defense. He replaced Joshua Zirkzee who scored in that draw. He is joined on the bench by 17-year-old Goodwill Kukonki. Patrick Dorgu appeared to be lining up as one of the 10’s.
Daniel Farke made two changes from their draw at Anfield. Ethan Ampadu was suspended. Lukas Nmecha dropped to the bench. They were replaced by Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor.
It was a noticeably scrappy opening with neither side really getting to grips with one another. Manuel Ugarte did have an opportunity via a Diogo Dalot long-throw. He headed over though.
Matheus Cunha did think he had given the red side a lead after seven minutes. Senne Lammens launched it long after a back-pass from Lisandro Martinez into the direction of Casemiro. He nodded it down to his fellow Brazilian who volleyed it home. It was ruled out for offside. Dominic Calvert-Lewin had a chance at the other end, but he blasted over.
In order to get a result from a game such as this, physicality is needed. The red devil youngsters were giving as good as they got. Ayden Heaven put a crunching tackle into James Justin inside the area. The centre-half won the ball cleanly though. Leny Yoro was also coming out on top against Noah Okafor.
The best opportunity came on 34 minutes from the home side. Anton Stach floated a ball into the box that was met by the head of Calvert-Lewin. He was only able to clip the outside of the post though.
Patrick Dorgu did fire one just past the post, and Yoro had a header tipped over, but both sides went into the break scoreless.
Gabriel Gudmondson saw an effort tipped around the post by Lammens after a long-throw came back into his path as the home side tried to up the ante.
They got their reward on 62 minutes. A ball was played forward from midfield that Heaven thought he had covered. Brendan Aaronson peeled off the back of him though and gathered before slotting it into the bottom corner.
The home fans were not cheering for too long though. Joshua Zirkzee, who was just on as a substitute, picked the ball up in midfield and fed it forward to Cunha. He brushed past his marker to slide it past Lucas Perri. Noah Okafor thought he had given Leeds the lead again a few minutes later. Lammens managed to get a hand to his overhead kick though.
It was the visitors who were looking the stronger as the game went on though. Zirkzee was at it again as he put a dangerous ball across the area. Benjamin Sesko put his snap-shot effort wide. Cunha then had an effort strike a post from the edge of the area.
Joel Piroe had an effort curl just over after being set up by fellow substitute Wilfred Gnonto as Leeds claimed to claim a winner in the closing minutes. It was not to be though. The home side appeared to be the happier on the final whistle as they move further from the sides below them. They next take on Newcastle at St. James Park on Wednesday at 20:15. Man Utd are also back on the road as they take on Burnley at Turf Moor at the same time. They must hope to see some faces return by then.
Leeds United: Lucas Perri, Sebastiaan Bournauw (Wilfred Gnonto 80), Jaka Bijol, Pascal Struijk, James Justin, Brendan Aaronson (Joel Piroe 87), Ilia Gruev (Ao Tanaka 80), Anton Stach, Gabriel Gudmondson, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Noah Okafor (Lukas Nmecha 75).
Subs not used: Karl Darlow, Sean Longstaff, Jack Harrison, , Sam Byram, Sam Chambers.
Booked: None
Sent off: None
Manchester United: Senne Lammens, Diogo Dalot, Ayden Heaven, Leny Yoro (Joshua Zirkzee 63), Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Manuel Ugarte, Casemiro, Patrick Dorgu, Mattheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko.
Subs not used: Altay Bayinder, Tyrel Malacia, Tyler Fredricson, Jack Fletcher, Tyler Fletcher, Shea Lacey, Bendito Mantato, Goodwill Kukonki.
Booked: Patrick Dorgu (34),
Sent off: None
Referee: Jarred Gillet
Attendance: 36,909.
Simply Red Man of the Match: Matheus Cunha.
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