George Overhill

Sun 30 April 2023 15:50, UK

It was the same old story for Leeds United as defensive errors saw them slip to a highly-damaging 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth on the south coast.

A decent start quickly gave way to a familiar collapse as Jefferson Lerma scored twice in quick succession, curling in once from the edge of the area and then taking advantage of another Illan Meslier error who flapped at a corner, but Willy Gnonto soon put in a perfect cross for Patrick Bamford to pull one back.

Leeds United looked to be getting back into the game until Dominic Solanke capitalised on typical defensive confusion between Robin Koch and Rasmus Kristensen to restore the two-goal lead, then Antoine Semenyo completed the misery late on.

MOT Leeds News has rates the Leeds United players out of 10 for their performances against the Cherries.

Ilan Meslier – 3

Another bad day. May have been unlucky with the two against Fulham but his flap to hand Lerma his second was the worst of his recent errors. Is so rarely helped by his defence but he handed Lerma another goal out of nothing. Let the fourth straight through him.

Luke Ayling – 6

Switch to wing-back wasn’t especially beneficial as he spent most of the game running up and down the touchline without seeing much of the ball. Got one good header back across goal in the second half that almost set up Gnonto but largely a frustrating afternoon. Slightly more involved in attack late on.

Robin Koch – 5

Not great. The defence looked as chaotic as ever for the crucial period in the first half where Leeds United went behind. Had looked somewhat more assured in the middle of a three after the break until his weak toe on the ball let Solanke in to score the third. Went close with a header from a corner.

Liam Cooper (off for Wober ’34) – 6

Unfortunate day. Had made an excellent block to deny Phillip Billing seconds before Lerma scored the first but it was immediately proven worthless. Barely lasted half an hour before yet another injury ended his afternoon.

Rasmus Kristensen – 4

Another rough outing. Combative high up the pitch early on but only managed to give away fouls. Slightly less isolated on the right of a three but still doesn’t inspire huge confidence and his understanding with Koch alongside looked non-existent when under threat from the Bournemouth attack. Cherries players should have scored when left alone right where the Dane should have been more than once.

Marc Roca – 6

Nothing sort of display. When he did get on the ball he looked overrun in midfield and wasted possession a couple of times. Did at least go close with a couple of attempts, forcing saves with an early free kick and a second-half long-ranger.

Weston McKennie (off for Forshaw ’70) – 5

Charged around without much impact. Far too slack in closing down Lerma for his first finish as Leeds United conceded from a player arriving on the edge of the box once again this season. Let Billing drift off him in the area for an unmarked chance from close range before the hour. Not is worst performance but certainly not his best.

Jack Harrison – 5

Awkward day. Didn’t look comfortable defensively in a wing-back role and struggled to get into the game further forward where he has been crucial.

Crysencio Summerville – 6

Threatening down the right in the early exchanges and put the Bournemouth defenders on the back foot but saw less of the ball later on as Gnonto grew in prominence. Frustrating second half.

Willy Gnonto – 8 (Man of the Match)

Who would have thought he might be a decent option? Showed what this side have been missing with his first real involvement, putting in a pin-point cross to land a ball on Bamford’s head to pull one back. Purposeful down the left when he got on the ball and whipped the crowd up like no other player on the pitch with his energy. Was closer than anyone to the equaliser with at least three close attempts. Has to stay in the line up.

Patrick Bamford (off for Rodrigo ’70) – 7

Battled pretty well up front. Turbo start appeared to have won an early penalty when his shot hit Ryan Christie’s arm, but VAR determined it was outside the box. Given a simple task to nod home by Gnonto’s cross and did what he couldn’t late against Leicester by finishing the job to pull one back. Faded as the game went on.

Substitutes

Max Wober (on for Cooper ’34) – 5

Didn’t look quite as assured as normal, whether due to the formation change or coming off the bench after injury, and fell over in the build up to Bournemouth’s third.

Adam Forshaw (on for McKennie ’70 – 6

Brought a bit more control to the midfield but couldn’t make much of a telling impact.

Rodrigo (on for Bamford ’70) – 5

Barely got into the game.

In other Leeds United news, a contract announcement has been made in a Whites transfer race.