Micah Richards and Alan Shearer go wild after what they saw Leeds United do vs Sunderland
Leeds United appeared to turn into prime Barcelona to seal a solid point against Sunderland.
Leeds drew 1-1 with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, but Daniel Farke believes his side could have earned all three points.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin rescued a point for Leeds just after half-time, now making it six successive games in which he’s scored in the Premier League.
Anton Stach came in for significant praise for his Sunderland showing, whilst talkSPORT presenter Jeff Stelling lauded Ethan Ampadu’s performance.
It’s a draw that means Leeds are now seven points clear of 18th-placed West Ham, with a massive away trip to Liverpool on New Year’s Day next on their agenda.
‘Prime Barcelona’ – Micah Richards gushes over Calvert-Lewin goal
Leeds’ goal against Sunderland was finished off by Calvert-Lewin, but it was the build-up play that ensured it would be remembered for years to come.
In a move that involved all 11 Leeds players before the Whites’ number nine side-footed the ball past Robin Roefs, Farke’s men showcased the levels they can reach when their passing play is at its best.
Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker and Micah Richards in particular waxed lyrical over Leeds’ equaliser too, while ending the latest Rest is Football podcast.
“What about their goal?,” Shearer said, to which Richards replied in his trademark energetic fashion: “This is what I’m trying to say.
“It was like a prime Barcelona. Tika-taka, through the lines, into the space, out wide, into the box, Calvert-Lewin scores. Six in six he’s scored.”
Sunderland goal was Daniel Farke football at its brilliant best
It’s fair to say that any talk of sacking Farke has now evaporated, as they haven’t tasted defeat in the Premier League since 29 November against Manchester City.
Much of the frustration around Farke was related to his style of play, with his slow build-up, possession-focused approach providing fertile ground for fan discontent, as there have been times when his system has accommodated performances that have lacked energy and aggression.
- Leeds averaged the most amount of possession per game in the Championship last season, with 61.6 per cent
- Farke’s team are currently 13th in the PL for average possession this season with 46.9 per cent
- Leeds are 10th in the PL for expected goals (xG) with 27.0
However, it’s undeniable that when it works, and his players get the patterns of possession play right on the pitch, Leeds look a side capable of scoring high-quality goals such as the one at Sunderland against anyone.
Switching to a 3-5-2 only appears to have strengthened Leeds’ ability to knock the ball around the way Farke wants to, as Brenden Aaronson, Ampadu and Stach were immense as a midfield bank of three at the Stadium of Light.
And with top-class players such as Ao Tanaka and Sean Longstaff pushing to get in that midfield too, leaning on this area of the pitch and this element of Farke’s tactical approach looks set to see Leeds comfortably stay in the Premier League this season.
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