Micah Richards hails Leeds United after Match of the Day reveal vs Burnley despite defeat
Micah Richards has praised Leeds United’s performance against Burnley, despite an ultimately disappointing result.
Leeds were beaten 2-0 by Burnley on Saturday, with goals from Lesley Ugochukwu and Loum Tchaouna the difference between the two promoted sides.
The Whites had several chances to find the net throughout the game, but the home side were ruthless in front of goal, with their second flying in from well outside the box.
With just two wins from the opening eight Premier League fixtures, there have been suggestions that Daniel Farke is now sleepwalking towards the sack at Leeds.
Especially after Ange Postecoglou was sacked by Nottingham Forest on Saturday, just 39 days after he replaced Nuno Espirito Santo.
Micah Richards sympathetic to Leeds after Burnley loss
Farke chose to start Jack Harrison against Burnley at Turf Moor, a decision that went down badly among the Leeds fans.
But the winger was not solely to blame for the Whites’ loss, with Farke‘s side missing a number of big chances throughout the game.
| Burnley | Match stats | Leeds United |
| 31% | Possession | 69% |
| 0.45 | Expected goals (xG) | 2.63 |
| 4 | Shots | 19 |
| 3 | On target | 4 |
| 1 | Big chances | 4 |
| 0 | Big chances missed | 4 |
Harrison set up Brenden Aaronson with a huge chance in the first half, but the American’s effort was turned onto the post by Martin Dubravka.
The former Everton man would miss a good chance himself in the second half, but the visitors’ best opportunity after the break fell to Jayden Bogle, who somehow lofted over when found by Dominic Calvert-Lewin just inches away from the goal.
Leeds would ultimately come away with nothing to show for their efforts, despite creating a massive 2.63 expected goals to Burnley’s 0.45, and taking 19 shots to the home side’s four.
Richards, speaking on BBC Match of the Day on Saturday as Gabby Logan revealed the stats live on air, said: “Leeds were excellent, apart from putting the ball in the back of the net.
“Absolutely dominated the game, but Burnley stayed in the game and took their chances when needed.“
What did Daniel Farke say after Burnley vs Leeds?
Speaking to Match of the Day after the game, Farke delivered a poignant statement.
“You can’t have better statistics than we did today in an away game in the Premier League,” the German said.
“When Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City travel here, even they won’t have better statistics. We won each and every statistic, but in football, it is also just about goals. They were more effective than us today.“
Farke is right, but Leeds’ domination without result will not help them in the Premier League table.
The 48-year-old has time to put things right, and decision-makers at Elland Road will be sympathetic, given how competitive the Whites have appeared in their fixtures so far.
But results must follow, and they must start to follow pretty soon to ensure Leeds are not forced into a difficult decision.
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