Brighton rue missed chances in helter-skelter draw against feisty Leeds


After Bournemouth’s lunchtime victory over Liverpool, suddenly this felt like a must-win for Leeds United.

Even more so when across the Pennines, Everton took the lead just 35 seconds in. Leeds began the day in 17th and were now 19th.

As it was, they came from behind twice thanks to goals from Patrick Bamford and Jack Harrison to grab what could prove to be a crucial point against high-flying Brighton.

Pre-match, Lucas Radebe was welcomed by the Elland Road faithful where he reminisced about the days when this mighty club played European football.

‘The Chief’ recalled his goal against Spartak Moscow in 1999 when under David O’Leary, Leeds reached the semi-finals of the then UEFA Cup.

Leeds were full of fight at home to claim a crucial point as they hover above relegation zone

Jack Harrison (centre) atoned for earlier sins in his equaliser to bring Leeds level with Brighton

Jack Harrison (centre) atoned for earlier sins in his equaliser to bring Leeds level with Brighton

Back then, Brighton were still in the Third Division of the Football League (now League Two) yet it was the Seasiders with the genuine European ambitions here. They went into the match, just seven points off a Champions League spot with three games in hand.

Javi Gracia made two changes from the defeat at Chelsea with Patrick Bamford and Marc Roca coming in for Georginio Rutter and Weston McKennie.

For Roberto De Zerbi, there was just the one enforced change with Tariq Lamptey missing out due to a knee injury and in came Joel Veltman.

De Zerbi’s side play with such assuredness and freedom and it took little over 20 minutes for the visiting supporters in the corner of the John Charles West Stand to start dishing out the ‘Oles’.

Pervis Estupinan’s dangerous cross was nearly turned in by Evan Ferguson and rather weirdly, the atmosphere was subdued whenever Brighton had possession – almost as if there was an acceptance around the ground that you try and press this Brighton side at your own risk.

Leeds were content with sitting back and just after the half-hour mark came the inevitable breakthrough. And a wonderful goal too.

World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister was the first to claim a goal on the road with a header

World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister was the first to claim a goal on the road with a header

Mac Allister celebrated with his team-mates after being first to get off the mark in Leeds

Mac Allister celebrated with his team-mates after being first to get off the mark in Leeds

Maximilian Wober vented his frustration after finding himself behind after just over 30 minutes

Maximilian Wober vented his frustration after finding himself behind after just over 30 minutes

Lewis Dunk’s ball in behind found Pascal Gross, who toyed with Marc Roca before dinking in a perfect delivery to the back post where Kaoru Mitoma outjumped Luke Ayling and set up Alexis Mac Allister for a simple finish.

And then came the boos. Elland Road was getting restless. It was around this time when Ian Dennis, on solo commentary duty for BBC Radio 5 Live, mentioned the late Norman Hunter and how the Leeds United legend would have been desperately urging on someone to make a challenge and get stuck into Brighton.

And just like that, it came. A bit of fight. A bit of risk. Jack Harrison pressed and won the ball off Veltman and then with a bit of luck, Patrick Bamford’s strike took a deflection off Adam Webster and crashed in off the underside of the bar, past Jason Steele. It wasn’t quite Tony Yeboah but Leeds needed it badly.

Patrick Bamford leveled things with the help of a neat deflection as Leeds got back in the game

Patrick Bamford leveled things with the help of a neat deflection as Leeds got back in the game

But Brighton were next to draw blood after a spell of messy defending by Harrison

But Brighton were next to draw blood after a spell of messy defending by Harrison

Now Elland Road was bouncing. From the restart, Bamford nearly scored again, hitting the side netting before Mac Allister should have put Brighton back in front at the other end.

The menacing Mitoma tore away down the left flank and teed him up on a plate but the Argentinian hit wide.

Relief at half-time was an understatement for Leeds but they came out all guns blazing after the break.

Brenden Aaronson’s effort was tipped around the post from Steele, before Ayling blazed over from ten yards out.

The Leeds fans blasted another rendition of ‘Marching on Together’ to push them on yet in Mitoma, Brighton have a special player.

With a hint of space down the left-hand side, he breezed past Ayling and put the ball in the corridor of uncertainty, where Leeds failed to get rid and Harrison attempting a clearance, put the ball into his own net, under pressure from March.

Japan international Karou Mitoma's quality has been undeniable for the Seagulls this season

Japan international Karou Mitoma’s quality has been undeniable for the Seagulls this season

Pervis Estupinan was jubilant after his team-mate Solly March's role in Brighton's second goal

Pervis Estupinan was jubilant after his team-mate Solly March’s role in Brighton’s second goal

Gracia looked to his bench and made a triple change, bringing on McKennie, Wilfried Gnonto and Rodrigo – for the first time since January after injury.

Danny Welbeck should have put the game to bed with 15 minutes remaining with only Illan Meslier to beat but he skied over.

And the visitors were made to pay. There was no luck this time around. Gnonto took a short corner to Harrison, who curled in a stunning strike into the far corner from the edge of the box.

But Harrison's involvement wasn't over and his equaliser sent the visitors home frustrated

But Harrison’s involvement wasn’t over and his equaliser sent the visitors home frustrated

Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi cut an at-times distressed figure in the dugout

New Leeds manager Javi Gracia was similarly frustrated by the tie

Both managers cut agitated figures on the sidelines with neither side seizing the game

The Brighton players protested after a second ball came onto the pitch but the goal stood.

Neither side could find a winner. A point gained for Leeds? No doubt, with a bit of luck and a moment of quality. Two dropped for Brighton? You’d probably say so.

And with 12 games remaining for Leeds, of which six are at Elland Road, you get the sense that this place will be crucial to Leeds’s hopes of staying up. 

LEEDS 2-2 BRIGHTON MATCH FACTS AND RATINGS

Leeds (4-2-3-1): Meslier 6, Ayling 5, Koch 5, Wober 6, Firpo 5, Adams 6, Roca 5 (McKennie 66, 6), Summerville 5 (Gnonto 66, 6), Aaronson 6 (Rutter 84), Harrison 6 (Sinisterra 90+4), Bamford 6 (Rodrigo 66, 6)

Subs unused: Robles, Struijk, Kristensen, Greenwood.

Goals: Bamford 40, Harrison 78

Bookings: Firpo

Manager: Javi Gracia 6

Brighton (4-2-3-1): Steele 6, Veltman 6, Webster 6 (Van Hecke 88), Dunk 6, Estupinan 6, Gross 7, Caicedo 7, March 7, Mac Allister 7, Mitoma 8, Ferguson 6 (Welbeck 68)

Subs unused: Sanchez, Colwill, Sarmiento, Buonanotte, Enciso, Ayari, Undav

Goals: Mac Allister 33, March 61

Bookings: Caicedo

Manager: Roberto De Zerbi 7

Referee: Paul Tierney 6



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