Graham Smyth shares what Wilfried Gnonto did to Elland Road crowd in Leeds United v Portsmouth
Wilfried Gnonto was spotted asking The Kop at Elland Road to make more noise after scoring his equaliser in the Leeds United draw with Portsmouth on Saturday (10 August).
Leeds were shocked by newly promoted Pompey in their opening Championship fixture, unexpectedly going into the half-time break trailing 2-1 despite Pascal Struijk’s early penalty.
Gnonto took it upon himself to change the tide at Elland Road, scoring one minute into the second half to even up the score, with Callum Lang and Brenden Aaronson both netting late on in a dramatic 3-3 draw.
Following the Italian’s equaliser, Graham Smyth wrote via the Yorkshire Evening Post (11 August): “Gnonto asking the Kop for more and trying to get the stadium noise level up as Leeds pressed following his goal.”
Wilfried Gnonto is new leader in Leeds United v Portsmouth
The 20-year-old winger was certainly not the only person frustrated by the events that unfolded at Elland Road on Saturday, with Leeds dropping points in the first game of the new Championship season.
Daniel Farke’s side would have been gutted to miss out on promotion to the Premier League last term, falling at the final hurdle in a 1-0 play-off final defeat to Southampton at Wembley.
With Gnonto one of the players linked with a move away from Elland Road after Leeds missed out on promotion, it may seem unusual to see the youngster taking a role like that during a frustrating match.
Farke’s side is now without Crysencio Summerville, who was the Championship Player of the Season last term, so Leeds will be relying on their fans more than ever to push them to victories.
The 20-year-old did all he could to push the Whites to an opening-day win at Elland Road, but it was not to be, with Aaronson missing a clear chance to take all three points in the dying embers of the game.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have tabled a “stunning” bid for Jesurun Rak-Sakyi transfer before August 30.
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