Leeds player ratings vs Fulham: Brenden Aaronson abysmal, 8/10 outstanding in defeat
Leeds United lost 1-0 against Fulham on Saturday in their second away game of their Premier League campaign.
Daniel Farke’s men did not have the ideal preparation for their trip to Craven Cottage, with multiple reports suggesting Leeds arrived late for the game.
In addition to this, the Whites also had to cope with multiple injuries to players such as Joel Piroe and Lukas Nmecha, which either ruled them out altogether or prevented them from starting.
However, despite Leeds being the better side for the majority of the game, they conceded in the 94th minute to suffer a heartbreaking loss.
Brenden Aaronson struggles on the right wing
Aaronson’s inclusion certainly raised some eyebrows, and despite the American having a disappointing first half, Farke persisted with Aaronson until the later stages of the game.
Starting Aaronson on the wing when Willy Gnonto and Dan James are both available is simply inexcusable from Farke, and the lack of width he offered hindered United’s attacks.
- The 24-year-old missed one big chance
- Aaronson did not attempt a cross in the 77 minutes he was on the pitch
- He also lost possession 11 times
Naturally being a number ten by trade, Aaronson would often invert, leaving Jayden Bogle isolated when he would attempt to overlap as Leeds’ attacks became too crowded centrally.
The American international was eventually replaced by James, but the game against Fulham proved that the experiment of playing Aaronson out wide has to come to an end.
Karl Darlow impresses in goal
With Lucas Perri being ruled out through injury, Leeds supporters were understandably anxious after second-choice goalkeeper Darlow made a costly mistake against Sheffield Wednesday earlier this season in the Carabao Cup.
The Wales international made a phenomenal save to prevent Harry Wilson from scoring a spectacular free kick, which would have further embarrassed the 49ers after missing out on signing the winger on deadline day.
He made another acrobatic save in the 94th minute to deny Kevin, but a late own goal from Gabriel Gudmundsson cost the ‘keeper his clean sheet.
Whilst the Whites continue to struggle in the final third, Darlow and the rest of the defensive unit continue to look incredibly solid for the most part and if the 34-year-old can continue to perform like this, he could find himself as United’s new first-choice shot-stopper.
Leeds player ratings vs Fulham
Karl Darlow – 8
Jayden Bogle – 7
Joe Rodon – 7
Pascal Struijk – 7
Gabriel Gudmundsson – 4
Ethan Ampadu – 8
Sean Longstaff – 6
Anton Stach – 7
Brenden Aaronson – 4
Noah Okafor – 6
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 6
Subs:
Lukas Nmecha – 5
Jack Harrison – 5
Dan James – 5
Willy Gnonto – 5
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