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Leeds United 4-3 Fulham
See the match summary at the top!
After 16 years out of the Premier League, many were delighted with Leeds United in the first league game. The white jerseys did not show any respect for reigning league champions Liverpool, but they ultimately had to be beaten, after returning three times in the match.
After the match, Marcelo Bielsa’s team was hailed by Jürgen Klopp.
On Saturday, the stage was set for Leeds United’s first Premier League game at Elland Road since 2004. On the opposite side was Fulham, who, like Leeds, made the journey to the Premier League after last season.
After two games, Leeds have scored seven goals and conceded seven.
– This will not continue throughout the season. It is very difficult to maintain the efficiency that we have had in the first games. Our game is about creating as many opportunities as possible, and in these two games we have created little, but we have scored in almost everything, says Marcelo Bielsa after the game.
And to begin with it was for Leeds.
Even before the five minutes had been played, the home team went ahead. The referee allowed Hélder Costa to take it quickly, much to the dismay of the unprepared goalkeeper. The Portuguese cushioned the ball and nailed it to the crossbar.
– I usually say that it is the goalkeeper’s fault if the ball goes to the penalty corner, but here I think we must absolve the goalkeeper, said TV 2 soccer expert Erik Thorstvedt during the break.
Penalty bonanza
Against Liverpool, record signing Rodrigo made a clumsy penalty. On Saturday, Robin Koch would be no worse. The German, who arrived from Freiburg this summer, awkwardly launched into a duel with Joe Bryan, which resulted in a penalty.
– I mean it’s not a penalty. Koch retreats, while Bryan throws his foot to the right to be knocked down, thought Thorstvedt who received opposition from Mina Finstad Berg.
– It does not help to go back when you fast so big. You risk taking penalties when you get to that speed, Mina Finstad Berg countered.
Aleksandar Mitrović appeared at just the right moment near the post and led him past the goalkeeper.
But Joe Bryan did not finish being in the center of the action, the left-back stretched his arm and pushed Patrick Bamford when the Leeds forward tried to reach a post. Once again, the referee pointed to the penalty area.
– It’s not an assault, but it’s an outstretched arm. There will be sanction for it, was the verdict of Finstad Berg.
This time it was Mateusz Klich who was saved from the penalty spot. Thus, the Pole stands with two goals in two games.
Sleep start
As in the first half, Leeds surprised the visiting team and once again took the lead before the five minutes of the round were up.
Mateusz Klich showed the big picture when he sent Patrick Bamford through alone with Fulham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. The forward was frozen and scored his second goal of the season.
Then it was time for a magical moment on Elland Road.
In true Bielsa style, Leeds stole the ball from Fulham and sent all the players onto the field. Patrick Bamford let go and put the ball in the area, where Hélder Costa arrived and was able to easily score his second goal of the day.
– I will never forget this game. It is amazing what this team has achieved, but it is terrible that our fans cannot be here, says Leeds captain Liam Cooper after the game.
Fulham refused to give up. Bobby Reid took advantage of a moment of weakness for the local team and scored the goal that gave the London club new hope.
He obviously lit a spark in the rest of the players. Power forward Mitrović stepped forward and stabbed into the reduction that ensured Fulham were just one goal away, with 25 minutes left.
The first three points of the season
The last 20 minutes were about who wanted more. Both teams attacked in turn and came close to scoring multiple times.
– In the first instance, we let them play from behind to make it easier. We were also unable to attack the way we want. We received two quick goals in the second half, but Fulham are good. We are not the ones who are bad in that period, says Marcelo Bielsa.
– Do you want to focus a lot on tactics next week?
– We always try to improve, says Marcelo Bielsa.
But neither team managed to score the eighth goal. Thus, they finished 4-3 against Leeds United in their first Premier League match at Elland Road since 2004.
