Ilia Gruev has stinker, Daniel Farke favourite shines – Leeds player ratings vs Fulham
Daniel Farke was unable to work his magic as Leeds United won 1-0 against Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Whites were without Jaka Bijol and Anton Stach against the Cottagers on 17 January, with James Justin deployed as one of the three centre-backs.
Facundo Buonanotte started on the bench at Elland Road, but didn’t come on for his debut.
It was a relatively tame affair in West Yorkshire, as neither team were able to create any clear-cut chances and stake a claim to the three points, but Lukas Nmecha was on the mark in the 91st minute to give the hosts the victory.
Ilian Gruev sloppy in Leeds United vs Fulham
Ilia Gruev has been in good form lately for Leeds, but the midfielder didn’t make a case for himself against Fulham.
The Bulgaria international was extremely sloppy in the middle of the park at Elland Road, misplacing passes and failing to get his things right in the final third when he had the opportunities.
With Sean Longstaff returning from injury, the 25-year-old will surely be looking over his shoulder as Farke will arguably have to rethink his personnel choices.
Karl Darlow was another player who didn’t convince many with his display against the Cottagers, as he looked nervous on the ball.
Gruev will undoubtedly have to fight for his place in the starting lineup in the coming weeks after a rather underwhelming outing in LS11.
Brenden Aaronson quietly goes about business at Elland Road
Brenden Aaronson has been a key player for Farke in recent matches, scoring some significant goals.
The USMNT star was given license to go forward when the Whites had the ball, but the attacker was disciplined and formed a line of four in the engine room alongside Ethan Ampadu, Gruev and Noah Okafor while defending.
Aaronson created a brilliant opportunity for Dominic Calvert-Lewin at the hour mark, and a lot of fans inside the stadium thought the West Yorkshire outfit had the breakthrough.
The American national wasn’t someone many in LS11 fancied at the start of the season, but he has shown his importance in the current campaign.
It looks like the 25-year-old has established himself as a favourite under Farke and will continue to play a part in the Peacocks’ success.
Leeds United player ratings vs Fulham
Karl Darlow – 5
Jayden Bogle – 6
James Justin – 6
Joe Rodon – 7
Pascal Struijk – 7
Gabriel Gudmundsson – 6
Ethan Ampadu – 7
Ilia Gruev – 4
Brendern Aaronson – 9
Noah Okafor – 6
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 7
Substitutes:
Wilfried Gnonto – 5
Ao Tanaka – 5
Lukas Nmecha – 8
Sebastiaan Bornauw – N/A