Junior Firpo drops 3/10 stinker, Wilfried Gnonto MOTM with 7/10 – Leeds United player ratings v Southampton
Leeds United suffered a 2-1 defeat to Southampton on the final day of the Championship season at Elland Road, ending their hopes of automatic promotion.
The Whites fell behind after 18 minutes when Adam Armstrong swept home a cut-back from Che Adams, but the lead lasted just two minutes before Joel Piroe blasted home an equaliser after good work by Sam Byram.
But they fell behind again before half-time as Junior Firpo went to sleep and Kyle Walker-Peters was allowed to drive into the box and lay a pass on a plate for Will Smallbone to slot home.
The second half was a drab affair as Farke’s side failed to create any chances while the Saints defended deep, and both teams will now feature in the playoffs to try and earn the final promotion spot to the Premier League.
Here is how MOT Leeds News rated the performance of each Leeds player for the game.
Illan Meslier – 6/10
Meslier made it 12 goals conceded in his last six games, but there was little he could do about either finish. He made one good stop at 0-0 but outside of that had little to do in the game, despite the result.
Sam Byram – 5/10
Byram got the nod over Archie Gray at right-back and while he did little wrong, he did little to affect the game positively either. Provided little threat going forward and had a tough time against Joe Aribo.
Joe Rodon – 5/10
The air of invincibility that Rodon had at the turn of the year has gone, and he looks far less authoritative in recent weeks. He was dragged around the pitch by Southampton’s floating attack and while he won 100% of his duels individually, he didn’t seem at his best.
Ethan Ampadu – 6/10
Ampadu has done a fantastic job filling in for Pascal Struijk in recent months, but his inventiveness in midfield is clearly being missed currently. His passing was good and he dealt with the attacking threats well, but it just wasn’t his game.
Junior Firpo – 3/10
A shocking performance from the left-back, who offered next to nothing going forward with some shocking decisions in the final third and huge lapses in concentration defensively. Hugely culpable for the second goal, and should have been more aware for the opener also.
Ilia Gruev – 5/10
Gruev is the enforcer of the midfield, but he struggled to fill the spaces in the side today and found himself overwhelmed regularly by Southampton. His safe passing was on show once again, but he won just one of four duels and lost possession several times in a poor showing.
Glen Kamara – 5/10
Experience was preferred by Farke for the game with Kamara stepping in for Archie Gray, but it back-fired. Kamara’s passing was good but too safe to really affect the game and he offered little else before he was taken off.
Wilfried Gnonto – 7/10
The Italian was bright in the opening exchanges of the game, with sharp movement and dribbling, but his lack of end product harmed him. He did get the assist for Piroe’s goal but he shrunk as the game went on and was taken off with half an hour remaining.
Georginio Rutter – 4/10
A poor performance from Rutter, who hasn’t been able to shake his bad form in recent weeks. He struggled to get the better of Flynn Downes athletically, his touch was poor and he was rightfully dragged off after an hour.
Crysencio Summerville – 5/10
So often the man Leeds United look to for inspiration and quality this season, but Summerville was kept quiet by the Saints. His dribbling often led to him going backwards, and he managed just one shot in the 90 minutes. He needs to do more in the playoffs if the Whites are to go up.
Joel Piroe – 6/10
The Dutchman has struggled for form in recent weeks, but this was one of his better performances in the absence of Patrick Bamford. He took his goal well, did his defensive duties as expected, but just didn’t get the service required to make the difference where it mattered.
SUBSTITUTES
Archie Gray – 5/10
Mateo Joseph – 5/10
Jaidon Anthony – 5/10
Connor Roberts – N/A
Joe Gelhardt – N/A
In other Leeds news, Sky Sports were wowed by “Incredible” Ilia Gruev footage during the defeat to Southampton.
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