Leeds beat Fulham in a seven-goal Premier League thriller

The first Premier League match at Elland Road in 16 years turned out to be a roller coaster ride, as Leeds United claimed their first win of the campaign with a throbbing 4-3 win over Fulham.

The hosts opened an early lead when, in the fifth minute, Helder Costa went unmarked at the back post to hammer a left foot volley on Premier League rookie Alphonse Areola.

Aleksandar Mitrovic leveled the score from the spot in the 34th minute after Leeds defender Robin Koch conceded a penalty for the second week in a row, fouling Joe Bryan.

But Marcelo Bielsa’s team regained the lead just five minutes before half-time when Fulham’s vulnerable defense was exposed once again. Bryan, caught on the wrong side of Patrick Bamford, prevented the Leeds striker from giving the hosts a chance to score from the point, which Mateusz Klich duly did.

Patrick Bamford opened a two-goal lead with a clinical finish five minutes into the interval for his second goal of the campaign and became a supplier when Costa took his second of the day with a precision strike just minutes later.

But Fulham refused to give up, as backup Bobby De Cordova-Reid had an immediate impact when he threw a shot back and Mitrovic headed from a Kenny Tete cross to further reduce delays with more than 20 minutes to play.

There would be no more drama, however, as Leeds stood their ground for maximum points on a memorable afternoon.

The Leeds faithful had waited 16 years for the big comeback. Having seen 14 goals in just two matches, it has clearly been worth the wait. A 3-3 draw with Charlton on May 8, 2004, was their last home game in the Premier League, but this gripping seven-goal victory was just as entertaining. Matthew Kilgallon, Jermaine Pennant and club hero Alan Smith hit home on that fateful day Leeds descended. With Marcelo Bielsa, however, this is a bright new era for whites, with Patrick Bamford seeking hero status. Having previously struggled in the top flight with Burnley, Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace, he seems like a player with a newfound confidence. The signing of Rodrigo from Valencia seemed to have threatened his position at the club, but he has taken a step forward.

Rodrigo, hooked at halftime, is not the only new kid who has found life difficult in England. And despite how impressive Leeds are advancing, their defense has been more than questionable, with their German acquisition Koch struggling to catch up with the game in the Premier League. When the quest for Ben White finally ended in frustration, Leeds turned to Koch, who is international and, at just 24 years old, is poised for a bright future in the game. But its beginning will not have inspired confidence.

Meanwhile, history threatens to repeat itself in Fulham. They conceded a slew of goals in the 2018/19 season on their way to relegation, 76 in total, and it seems their old Achilles heel hasn’t gone away. Scott Parker has already seen his team concede seven goals in just two games; in 2019 they conceded at least two goals in every game.

Two goals in two games now for the 27-year-old, who looks like a natural finalist in the top flight after so many years of fighting. However, his complete game could never have been questioned and his assist for Costa’s second proved his intelligence on the ball at his feet.

Leeds: Meslier 5, Ayling 6, Koch 4, Cooper 5, Dallas 6, Phillips 6, Klich 8, Costa 8, Harrison 6, Bamford 9, Rodrigo 4. subs: Roberts 6, Alioski 6.

Fulham: Areola 5, Tete 7, Héctor 4, Odoi 5, Bryan 5, Reed 5, Zambo-Anguissa 7, Onomah 6, Cavaleiro 6, Kamara 6, Mitrovic 8 .. subs: Kebano 6, De Cordova-Reid 7, Lemina 5.

5 ‘- GOAL! Leeds 1-0 Fulham (Helder Costa): Leeds is already ahead! Much has been said about the Fulham defense and, again, their marking is non-existent. Costa walks away towards the far post when Philips corner is delivered. The ball falls on his way and with a sweet left foot he finishes the hosts ahead.

34 ‘- GOAL! Fulham 1-1 Leeds (Mitrovic, feather): Mitrovic slides the ball under Meslier and into the back of the net. It’s not the most convincing of penalties, but Fulham won’t mind – they’re level.

40 ‘- GOAL! Leeds 2-1 Fulham (Klich): Calm and composed by Klich, who rolls it in half as Areola dives in early. Leeds returns to the front.

50 ‘- GOAL! Leeds 3-1 Fulham (Bamford): A lovely ending from Bamford! Fulham opens up on defense when Bamford slides between two defenders to hold on to Klich’s direct pass and, after a great first touch, calmly dodges it and outstrips Areola.

57 ‘- GOAL! Leeds 4-1 Fulham (Coast): You should do that! Bamford goes from creator to scorer, passing over Héctor on the left and cutting it for Costa, who shoots him high at the net with a powerful shot. Game over.

62 ‘- GOAL! Leeds 4-2 Fulham (De Cordova Reid): What’s happening in the Premier League today? Fulham has a back. De Córdova Reid, who is right on the field, beats Meslier with a low and strong blow after a tremendous assist from Anguissa, who was too strong for Philips and played his teammate with a good pass.

67 ‘- GOAL! Leeds 4-3 Fulham (Mitrovic): Beautiful Fulham football, as they have opened it wide to Tete, who has been excellent as a winger all afternoon. He lifts a cross for Mitrovic, who rises above his marker and his powerful header overtakes Meslier. What game!