Leeds United 2-3 Fulham
Now this was a Premier League ding-dong for the neutrals to enjoy on a Sunday afternoon.
As predicted, a meeting of two teams who like to attack and want to become established Premier League clubs.
The reality after this Elland Road encounter, however, is that one team now finds itself in the relegation zone, while the other is faring far better than the SBOTOP Premier League betting odds imagined.
Indeed, Fulham have now won five Premier League games this season, the same they managed across 38 matches when relegated two years ago.
Highlights of the game
Having taken a chance on young winger Crysencio Summerville in Thursday’s defeat at Leicester, Leeds boss Jesse Marsch opted for another selection surprise by handing a starting place to 20 year-old Sam Greenwood.
It was one of six changes which included Rodrigo coming in for Patrick Bamford in attack, the striker still working his way back to fitness after missing most of the last 12 months.
Fulham manager Marco Silva also shuffled his pack, despite a comprehensive 3-0 win over Aston Villa on the same night, as Tosin Adarabioyo started at centre-back ahead of Issa Diop, who was on the bench, and in midfield where Harry Wilson came in for Neeskens Kebano.
Leeds, who did the double over Fulham in the 2020-21 season when the Cottagers were relegated, were in front after 20 minutes when Jack Harrison’s deflected shot looped up and Rodrigo nipped in at the far post to nod the hosts in front.
Yet that joy among the home contingent lasted barely six minutes when we were treated to the now customary goal for Aleksandar Mitrovic, who is proving he can become a consistent marksman in the top flight after his record breaking year in the Championship.
Former Man Utd man Andreas Perreira delivered a corner into the danger zone and there was Mitrovic, pulling away from his marker to deftly guide a header beyond Illan Meslier.
It was the Serbian striker’s ninth goal in 12 Premier League matches this term.
But for a fine save from Meslier shortly afterwards, the influential Perreira would have given Fulham the lead before the break.
Into the second half and the nerves amongst the Leeds contingent were clear. They would have been eased had Bernd Leno not rushed off his line to block a shot from substitute Bamford.
It was obvious the next goal would be key and it went the way of the visitors 16 minutes from time as a corner was headed away only as far as Pereira, whose right-wing cross was glanced inside the far post by Bobby Decordova-Reid, again left unmarked in a dangerous position.
A fine victory was secured 10 minutes later when Harrison Reed darted into the penalty box and cut the ball back to Brazilian Willian who slid home to send the visitors into raptures.
Leeds brought on young Joe Gelhardt and, at the start of stoppage time, he played in fellow substitute Summerville who poked in his first Leeds goal to give them hope.
Alas, it was not enough and all the Premier League highlights belonged to Fulham who end the weekend in a lofty eighth place.
As for Leeds, they have collected just nine points from their 11 games so far –their fewest at this stage of a league campaign since 2003-04 (eight), when they were relegated.
This is a team which began the season with a home victory over Wolves which created optimism amidst the Yorkshire contingent and was multiplied a few weeks later when Chelsea were emphatically defeated at Elland Road.
They have not won in the league since and, judging by the boos directed at the club’s hierarchy and Marsch when the American went onto the pitch to applaud the home fans at full-time, changes could be afoot.
Key statistics
Leeds have now lost four league games in a row and are winless in eight (drawn two, lost six).
They have also lost on the last three Sundays when they have played – against Crystal Palace and Arsenal. This result means they have experienced three successive Sunday defeats for the first time in 20 years.
Until today, Fulham had lost eight of their last nine Premier League games in Yorkshire and shipped 23 goals in the process.
Mitrovic has five goals and two assists in his last seven league games against Leeds.
What’s next?
Two important matches coming up for Leeds. They go to Anfield next weekend to meet a Liverpool side which thrashed them 6-0 last season before welcoming Bournemouth to Yorkshire on November 5. Fulham host Everton next Saturday (October 29), followed by a trip to champions Manchester City.
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