Jermaine Beckford provided his verdict as Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed three chances in the first half of their game for Leeds United against Bournemouth.
Leeds United were 2-1 up in the 92nd minute of the match against Bournemouth at Elland Road, but an Eli Junior Kroupi goal deep into stoppage time rescued a point for Andoni Iraola’s side.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin had three moments in the opening 45 minutes to score, and he came almighty close to doing so, albeit some of the opportunities were more significant than others.
The giant English centre-forward was praised by Daniel Farke post-match. The German manager said: “Dominic nearly scores from these situations. Excellent performance. Great workload for the team.
“On a good day, he scores two or three, but this is the fate of the strikers. Sometimes you get an excellent goal like last weekend and then miss these opportunities.”
Jermaine Beckford’s reaction to Dominic Calvert-Lewin in Leeds vs Bournemouth
On a day of celebration for Leeds via announcements during Bournemouth, it was a bitterly disappointing end to the game. However, there were positive performances for Leeds against Bournemouth.
In fact, Opta believed Bournemouth were strong favourites against Leeds, while Chris Sutton thought Bournemouth would win at Elland Road. Paul Merson also backed Bournemouth to win at Leeds.
In the end, Iraola admitted Calvert-Lewin was crucial for Leeds. He was the talking point after those misses early on in the contest, which could have had Leeds out of sight.
Jermaine Beckford spoke post-match to LUTV, and said: “Oh, we loved him. Look, he had a couple of chances in the first half where we thought he should have scored.
“Right, we’ll address those — we’ll put those to bed. But he got himself in the right areas. The defenders had an absolute torrid time against him today; he didn’t make it easy for them at all.
“He was physical, he was constantly running in the channels, he was offering an outlet, an out ball for our centre-halves and our goalkeeper.
“He was holding the ball up, he was bringing other players in. But also, when he set the ball, he doesn’t just admire what he’s done. He’s getting in the box for the next part.
“That is what he offers us. We’re now also throwing the ball in from the full-back positions rather than waiting to get the ball in the high areas and then looking for a cutback.
“We’re not afraid to put the ball up to somebody — to a number nine — that is going to cause absolute carnage to the defenders.”
Some might argue that Calvert-Lewin is paid the big money for Leeds to score the goals.
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Michael Bridges reacts to Dominic Calvert-Lewin against Bournemouth
Michael Bridges added to Beckford’s comments, stating: “It’s a new dimension, tactically, and Daniel Farke and the players have recognised that as well.
“So, last season, trying to get to the byline, cutbacks — it is very, very hard now, in the Premier League, to break down teams and get into pockets of space.
“Space in that six-yard penalty area, which Manchester City used to find it so easy to do. He’s given us a new dimension and I am thankful that we have got a plan B to use him.”
Ironically, a recent reveal has detailed that Calvert-Lewin thrives from cutbacks and Leeds need to get more out of them now.
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