Crysencio Summerville outstanding, Leo Hjelde flops – Leeds United player ratings vs Cardiff City
Leeds United battled back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Cardiff City in Daniel Farke’s first game in charge at Elland Road, as the Whites shone going forward but were poor defensively.
It was a depressingly familiar scene at the back as Callum O’Dowda had the left flank entirely to himself behind Luke Ayling to pull it back for Josh Bowler to pass it into the corner at the second attempt after 23 minutes, and Leo Hjelde was beaten far too easily by Bowler in the 39th before Aaron Ramsey scuffed a ball across the six-yard box for Ike Ugbo to beat Ayling at the back post.
Liam Cooper rose the highest to pull one back from a corner straight after half-time but injured himself in the process and went off on a stretcher, with the Whites well on top for the rest of the game and they finally found the leveller deep into added time as Crysencio Summerville fired a loose ball home.
Here, MOT Leeds News rates the Leeds United players out of 10 for their performances in the opener at Elland Road.
Illan Meslier – 6
Starts another season as number one despite expectations he would be gone by now, but it was a similar story for him although he was hardly helped by his defence. Little he could do for the opener but arguably could have taken command of the situation for the second. Rarely involved otherwise.
Luke Ayling – 5
Decent going forward but poor defensively. Left acres of space down the Leeds United right for O’Dowda to take the ball into for the opener and wasn’t live to the danger as Ugbo reacted quickest to double Cardiff’s lead.
Leo Hjelde (off for Byram ’46) – 3
Perhaps no surprise that the teenager wasn’t the answer for the worst defence in the Premier League last season. Beaten far too easily by a simple one-two to let Bowler in for the second goal and Farke reacted by taking him off at the break. Likely to struggle to get back into the starting line up based on his first outing this season.
Pascal Struijk – 4
Doesn’t look like being a particular improvement in the middle on the likes of Robin Koch and Diego Llorente last season. Failed to cut out Ramsey’s ball across for Ugbo’s goal. Not hard to see why Farke wants to sign a centre-back.
Liam Cooper (off for Cresswell ’51) – 6
The game was the Leeds United captain’s recent career in a microcosm. Couldn’t effect much of an improvement at the back but showed the desire to haul his side back into it with the first Whites goal of the season. Suffered for doing as he landed awkwardly after heading Summerville’s corner home and looked in a lot of pain as he was stretchered off with what appears to be yet another unfortunate injury set back.
Ethan Amapadu – 7
Arguably overshadowed by Gray to begin their first competitive Whites outings but grew into the game and was involved in plenty of the play as the Whites spent the second half in the ascendency.
Archie Gray (off for Perkins 93′) – 6
Didn’t look overawed in the opening exchanges of his Leeds United debut in the middle but, perhaps understandably, his influence waned as the game went on. Was behind the play as Leeds conceded to a player arriving on the edge of the box once again for the opener.
Luis Sinisterra – 7
Will be a great boost if he can be kept at Elland Road for the Championship season based on this performance. Linked up well with the likes of Summerville and Gnonto going forward, looked good on the ball, and put Cardiff defenders under pressure with his pressing.
Crysencio Summerville – 9 – Man of the Match
Cardiff couldn’t live with him as he showed all sorts of quality on the ball at this level. Looked dangerous going forward and linking up with Gnonto from the off. Went the closest in the first 45 minutes with a shot from the edge of the area just before the break, and was the most threatening of anyone after half time. Did go to ground too easily on a few occasions but found the crucial goal to cap off his performance at the death.
Dan James (off for Poveda ’82) – 6
As with so often there was no shortage of endeavour from the Welsh winger but he lacked a crucial bit of quality with shots or his final ball. Should be useful this season but wasn’t quite up to the standards of his attacking teammates.
Willy Gnonto (off for Gelhardt ’82) – 8
Showed why Leeds United are so desperate to keep him this season with some dangerous attacking contributions, even as an emergency striker. Combined well with Summerville to fashion the game’s first chance then fired wide of the far post moments later when played in by Ayling. Waltzed through the Cardiff defence soon after Cooper’s goal to have an effort deflected onto the top of the bar. Clearly has a great understanding with Summerville.
Substitutes
Sam Byram (on for Hjelde ’46) – 7
Looked a considerable improvement down the left once he came on although he didn’t have to do much defending. Surely starts next time out.
Charlie Cresswell (on for Cooper ’51) – 7
More assured at the back than his teammates, but didn’t have too much defensive work to do. Might have a starting role on the cards with Cooper’s injury.
Ian Poveda (on for James ’82) – 6
Joe Gelhardt (on for Gnonto ’82) – 6
Sonny Perkins (on for Gray 93′) – N/A
In other Leeds United news, a contract development has emerged amid a transfer pursuit just as the Whites are battling an injury crisis.