Wilfried Gnonto scores 3/10, no player higher than 5/10 – Leeds United player ratings v West Brom
Leeds United fell to successive defeats as they went down 1-0 to fellow promotion chasers West Brom at The Hawthorns on Friday (29 December).
The Whites were looking to respond to Tuesday’s (26 December) 2-1 defeat against Preston North End, but they fell behind to Grady Diangana’s 37th-minute strike.
Leeds had a goal disallowed and a penalty appeal rejected with the game goalless, but they did not do enough to rescue a point on another disappointing night for Daniel Farke.
Here is how MOT Leeds rated the performance of each Leeds player, using stats from WhoScored and Sofascore.
Karl Darlow – 5
Handed a first league start due to Illan Meslier’s suspension. Could not keep out Diangana’s decisive strike after the midfielder’s initial effort was blocked, with that proving to be just one of two attempts the hosts managed on target.
Djed Spence – 5
Saved a shot on the line in the first half and had the occasional promising moment when allowed to venture forward, laying on one key pass. However, he was hauled off by Farke fairly early in the second half which was pretty damning.
Joe Rodon – 5
Defended well for the vast majority of the match, with no player registering more clearances (six), but will be disappointed at the ease in which West Brom carved the Leeds defence open for Diangana’s goal. Also perhaps could have done better with a chance at the other end.
Liam Cooper – 5
Brought back into the side due to Pascal Struijk’s injury absence and, like Rodon, was solid enough on the whole. Blocked more shots than anyone else (three), but maybe could have positioned himself better to cut out the pass that led to Albion’s breakthrough goal.
Sam Byram – 4
Had the ball in the net in the first half but was flagged for offside. Was regularly on the ball, in his defence, but just could not make anything happen when getting forward and was taken off with a third of the game to play.
Ethan Ampadu – 5
Yet another Leeds player who performed average at best. Did not register any interceptions in a game in which Leeds were chasing a goal for large parts. His role became redundant in the second half and that explains why he was taken off.
Ilia Gruev – 5
Given a rare start and helped keep possession ticking over, with very few of his passes failing to find its intended target. One of those passes played Rutter through, but his team-mate did not make the most of it. Clearly off the pace at times, as he showed when dragging down Jayson Molumby to earn a yellow card.
Wilfried Gnonto – 3
This is the start Gnonto has been waiting for, but he badly failed to take his chance. The wide player was unlucky not to win his side a penalty, but he otherwise struggled with all three of his shots wayward, including a terrible attempt seconds before being hauled off an hour in.
Joel Piroe – 4
This was one of those games in which Piroe just could not have a say in the match. Played more key passes than any other Leeds player (two) in his defence, but all three of his own attempts were blocked. Not good enough.
Crysencio Summerville – 4
Too many of his shots were either blocked or wayward, while his first touch also let him down more than once. Was guilty of a terrible clearance in the first half to put his side in trouble, and simply did not do enough to help make a breakthrough at the other end.
Georginio Rutter – 4
Been superb for the vast majority of the season but, on days like this, he is frustrating to watch. Did not register a shot in a game in which Leeds were chasing a goal for more than 45 minutes. Only saving grace was the occasional quality pass.
Subs
Jaidon Anthony (on for Djed Spence 60′) – 5
Offered more than any other Leeds attacker, despite being brought on as a substitute, but just lacked that telling quality when it really mattered.
Daniel James (on for Sam Byram 60′) – 5
Was about time he was given a breather, but that backfired as Leeds did not get going without him. Had a big impact early on with some lively moments, but soon reverted to type on a frustrating day for Leeds.
Patrick Bamford (on for Wilfried Gnonto 60′) – 4
Registered just seven touches of the ball in more than half an hour on the field. If this was Bamford’s audition to stake a starting spot, he failed it.
Junior Firpo (on for Ethan Ampadu 90′) – N/A
Mateo Joseph (on for Crysencio Summerville 90′) – N/A
In other Leeds United news, Daniel Farke has shared how long he expects Struijk to be sidelined for.