By Ian Waterhouse
Leeds United 1 Fulham 1
Starting Line up’s
Leeds United
1 Green 2 Ayling 5 Bartley 6 Cooper 21 Taylor 19 Hernández Domínguez (Mowatt 71) 23 Phillips 15 Dallas (Vieira 58) 7 Roofe (Substituted for Sacko 79) 10 Antonsson 9 Wood
Fulham
27 Button 4 Odoi 26 Kalas 15 Madl 30 Sessegnon 8 Parker (Tunnicliffe 83) 6 McDonald 10 Cairney 24 Aluko 11 Ayité (Sánchez Ruizat 88) 9 Smith (Woodrowat 65)
Match Review
It took a 93rd minute equaliser from Leeds striker Chris Wood to spare United Manager Garry Monk a third successive league defeat as the Whites just came from behind to snatch a point at Elland Road against Fulham.
Rumours of Whites owner Massimo Cellino potentially selling a stake in the club was the talk of the terraces before the game but as soon as the whistle went all of that was forgotten as for the first time this season Leeds did not concede early on.
However, Fulham were on top and playing well as former Whites giant striker Matt Smith went close hitting the post.
Leeds were not without chances themselves and new signing Antonsson missed two opportunities to put the home side ahead.
When Fulham’s Tom Cairney’s curled effort found the back of the net in the 77th minute it looked like it was all but done and dusted and another three points heading to the Cottagers.
However, Chris Wood had other ideas and deep into injury time he fired in spectacular overhead kick to the rapture of the Elland Road crowd to give Leeds their first point of the season.
What the managers said
Garry Monk – Leeds United
“I don’t know if delighted is the right word, but I was very pleased for the players and everyone. I was very pleased for Woody. He missed that chance, but he came back and it was good reward for him. It epitomised our spirit.
“There was spirit with them in the changing room and you can see that. Tonight was a really good test for us. We could have easily thought that it wasn’t going to be our night.” – Source bbc
Delighted Leeds Manager Garry Monk
Slavisa Jokanovic – Fulham
“It is a little bit unlucky, we are a little bit frustrated after this late goal. We didn’t score more goals at the beginning and during the game and Leeds scored a typical Championship goal, a big centre-half touches the ball and the big striker catches a bicycle kick, which can happen.”
Conclusion
Leeds first point of the season gives fans and manager a chance to breathe a sigh of relief. However, there has been stark improvement since the opening day outing to QPR. Another new signing in Torino’s Pontus Jansson on a season long loan adds more steel to the defence and for the first time this season, things really are looking up.