Jayden Bogle terrible, Brenden Aaronson redemption continues – Leeds United ratings vs Burnley
Leeds United were beaten 1-0 at home by Burnley in front of Will Ferrell despite dominating possession on a frustrating day.
The Whites had the better of the opening exchanges and Mateo Joseph wasted a huge early chance, but Burnley took the lead when Luca Koleosho scored on the break in the 18th minute after Manor Solomon fell over, running clear to fire into the far corner.
Willy Gnonto also should have scored and Solomon should have had a penalty but Leeds looked vulnerable at the back.
It was one-way traffic after the break as the Whites struggled to break the Clarets down, while none of Daniel Farke’s substitutions worked and the home side strained without forcing their way through before Bashir Humphries was sent off in the dying seconds.
Here, MOT Leeds News rates the Whites players out of 10 for their performances at Elland Road.
Illan Meslier – 6
Shaky start as he booted the ball out for a throw when attempting to play out from the back in the opening second but settled to make a few saves. Couldn’t do a great deal about Koleosho’s goal when left unprotected. Not required thereafter.
Junior Firpo (off for Byram ’77) – 7
For the most part he looked the most confident of the Whites defence in the first half, demonstrating his huge improvements in the past year and why his decision to look for a new contract is a boost [TEAMtalk, 12 September]. Unlucky to go off.
Pascal Struijk – 5
Rough outing in defence as Clarets attacks increasingly came in waves and he looked vulnerable to being caught in possession. Better when tested less frequently after the break.
Manor Solomon could have won Leeds United penalty
Joe Rodon (off for Tanaka ’86) – 6
Under major pressure at the back throughout the first half but made a crucial block from former Leeds United teammate Jaidon Anthony after half an hour. Looked more composed after the half but withdrawn late after a clash of heads.
Jayden Bogle – 3
Poor. Should have done better for the opener despite being left hugely exposed by Solomon’s slip, as he waited an age to close down Koleosho who simply advanced into the box and fired home. Lost the ball in midfield to spark a dangerous break which almost doubled the deficit. Some positive passes going forward but big questions marks over all. Needlessly flagged offside in stoppage time and to relieve pressure and sum up his day. Angus Kinnear may believe Archie Gray has been properly replaced with Bogle [Square Ball, 12 September], but playing like this he hasn’t.
Ethan Ampadu (off for Rothwell ’68) – 6
Eventful but not always in a good way. Had his hands full in a surprisingly ragged early showing defensively as Burnley broke with ease. Much better when stepping forward in attack. Came off worse in a heavy challenge with Hannibal Mejbri before the interval. Grew into an all-action second-half performance as he attempted to drive his side forward. Inches away from an equaliser after the hour, although fouls and sloppiness in possession let him down. Still odd to be removed unless he was hurt from the first half.
Ilia Gruev – 6
Good on the ball, not so good off it. Decent early strike from range and combined well in attacking moves but offered little protection when the visitors broke forward.
Manor Solomon (off for Ramazani ’77) – 7
Looked the most dangerous Leeds United player early and showed excellent close control on the ball, but then slipped over to let Burnley break and open the scoring. Could have easily had a penalty when challenged from behind before the break. Faded slightly as the game went on.
Willy Gnonto and Mateo Joseph missed huge chances v Clarets
Brenden Aaronson (off for Piroe ’68) – 8 (Man of the Match)
Impressive showing in the problem number 10 position. Beautiful through-ball midway through the first half should have assisted an equaliser for Willy Gnonto. Purposeful and threatening in attack and busy pressing. Was a huge disappointment in the Premier League and upset fans by leaving on loan last term, but he may yet with them back and calm Farke’s frustrations that a Georginio Rutter replacement wasn’t signed at this rate. Strange decision to remove him early when none of the replacements made an impact and he had shown the most creativity in the game.
Willy Gnonto – 6
Okay but really should have made the difference. Decent combination work in attack but blew a fantastic chance to equalise from Aaronson’s ball when he fired straight at James Trafford from close range. Nice work on the ball after the break but struggled to find the same penetration.
Mateo Joseph – 5
Wasted a glorious opportunity that could have changed the entire make up of the game after robbing Esteve and streaking clear after a minute before dragging his shot wide. Became increasingly isolated as Burnley grew into the match and was forced to drop deep to avoid a congested visiting defence. Better curling effort from range soon after the break but that was as good as it got.
Substitutions
Joel Piroe (on for Aaronson ’68) – 4
Largely anonymous introduction which weakened Leeds without Aaronson. Didn’t do anything to stake a major claim for a starting position, although there was little space to operate in attack by the closing stages.
Joe Rothwell (on for Ampadu ’68) – 4
Barely noticeable. As with Piroe for Aaronson the Bournemouth loanee’s introduction only robbed the Whites of Ampadu’s influence.
Largie Ramazani (on for Solomon ’77) – 6
Looked dynamic on the ball when given the opportunity to advance but only in minor flashes and couldn’t find the breakthrough.
Sam Byram (on for Firpo ’77) – 5
Not entirely obvious what his introduction was supposed to do. Helped push Bogle forward when the new man was having a poor game and Firpo would surely have been the greater threat.
Ao Tanaka (on for Rodon ’86) – 5
Too late to make a difference.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites missed out on signing the extra attacker they wanted despite agreeing a multimillion pound deal.
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