George Overhill

Sat 22 April 2023 14:24, UK

Leeds United fell to a third-straight defeat away at Fulham as individual errors mounted and a late fight back fell short to finish 2-1.

A dull first half passed by with little in the way of real chances, but a clean sheet up to the break was somewhat of a positive in the circumstances for Javi Gracia’s side.

Fulham went ahead in the 58th minute when Willian’s cross in acres of space was knocked into a dangerous area by Illan Meslier and Harry Wilson fired in off the bar, and once again Leeds United fell apart at the first sign of trouble to concede a very similar goal to Andreas Pereira, before Patrick Bamford pulled one back in a goalmouth scramble that went down as an own goal.

Here, MOT Leeds News rates the Leeds United players out of 10 at Craven Cottage.

Illan Meslier – 5

Not fair to held responsible for all the errors of his teammates ahead of him but two crucial errors showed a player low on confidence. Had produced a stunning early save from a Tosin Adarabioyo before the flag went up but it wasn’t a sign of things to come as he twice palmed crosses into harm’s way for goals. Did redeem himself with a wonderful late double-stop to keep out a Willian free kick.

Rasmus Kristensen – 3

Dismal. Given his rocky night vs Liverpool he had started quite sharply, but it soon became clear he was no match for the pace of Willian if the Brazilian took him on and became increasingly ragged as the game wore on. Absolutely nowhere near Willian when he put the cross in that led to the goal. Committed the same crime to let Antonee Robinson put the ball in for the second. Cody Drameh must have a few thoughts.

Robin Koch – 4

Poor. Was the best of a bad bunch of Leeds United defenders vs Liverpool but here he was arguably the most ragged. Hand-balled, fell over, and let Fulham break away in one nervy early sequence and was a long way short of his best all afternoon. Easily beaten one-on-one late to illustrate the point.

Liam Cooper – 6

Given his lack of first-team action he did ok. Started well with some decisive interventions but was edged off the ball too easily by Bobby Decordova-Reid as familiar shakiness resurfaced. Still was a major improvement on Pascal Struijk but hard not to feel Wober needs to be in the middle. Made a vital challenge to stop Harry Wilson when a wrong move would have been a penalty. Took a huge risk when he almost got himself sent off and injured in the same lunging challenge on Joao Palhinha.

Max Wober – 6

Makes a difference but clearly not enough. Surprisingly shifted to left-back upon his return he quickly displayed his vital defensive capabilities, but he certainly looks less comfortable on the flank. Chased back to crucially put a halt to a Fulham counter just before the half in one of a few important moments but was booked when conceding a dangerous free kick that hit the bar from Pereira. Worrying that he may have been re-injured late on.

Marc Roca – 6

As so often, uneven, but at least involved. Considering he is supposed to be the cultured passer in the midfield he certainly puts himself about flying into challenges but is too often a step off the pace. Some positive but cancelled out by some negative. Enraged the Leeds United fans when he hit the first man with three straight corners right in front of them.

Weston McKennie (off for Forshaw ’79) – 5

Inoffensive first half an hour but got booked with a lunging late tackle on Kenny Tete. Nondescript otherwise.

Crysencio Summerville – 7 Man of the Match

Certainly the most dangerous looking option in the Leeds United XI throughout a poor team display. Tricky play had Fulham defenders in trouble from early on but had less of an effect as the game moved away from Leeds United in the second half.

Brenden Aaronson (off for Sinisterra ’65) – 6

Frustrating again. Typically industrious and lacking in actual impact. Showed great purpose to muscle his way onto a number of solo runs but could never provide an end product as he invariably ended up on the turf and ignored by the referee. If he knew what to do at the end of these runs he would be a great player.

Jack Harrison (off for Gnonto ’79) – 5

Could get very little going in the first half, cutting the frustrated figure he looked for so long under Jesse Marsch before his recent return to form. Looked sharper for a short period after the break but then faded again.

Rodrigo (off for Bamford ’65) – 4

Next to no impact on the game. Starved of service he was largely bypassed in a slow first 45-minutes. Bundled Willian into the advertising boards and then was taken off.

SUBSTITUTES

Luis Sinisterra (on for Aaronson ’65) – 6

Got a key back-heel in the build-up to the first Whites goal but not a huge impact otherwise.

Patrick Bamford (on for ’65) – 6

Pulled a scruffy goal back that went down as an own-goal.

Adam Forshaw (on for McKennie ’79) – N/A

Willy Gnonto (on for Harrison ’79) – N/A

Baffling why he was left off until so late.

In other Leeds United news, a Sky Sports pundit has warned one exit-linked first team player not to become the latest player to leave Elland Road too early.