Leeds United have been dealt a massive blow in the Championship title race after losing 1-0 to Portsmouth on Sunday, their first league defeat since November.
With Burnley and Sheffield United picking up victories on Saturday, the pressure was on for Leeds United to get back to winning ways at Portsmouth. A pressure they wilted under.
It was an uninspiring performance from start to finish from Daniel Farke’s side but they would have won comfortably if Joel Piroe could finish at least one of his two glorious chances.
Colby Bishop had no such issue as when played through on goal he showed the composure Piore lacked to loft the ball past Illan Meslier.
Leeds’ poor run in early-kick offs continued with the defeat and they now sit on the same number of points as the Blades at the top of the Championship table as the title race gets even tighter.
Illan Meslier – 5
Indecisiveness off his line as Bishop went through to score will tarnish what was otherwise a good performance. Did make one fine save from a powerful shot from distance.
Jayden Bogle – 4
Was up against a tricky customer in Josh Murphy and struggled at times as he was forced into some silly fouls. All of Pompey’s threatening moments came down Jayden Bogle’s side.
The danger on Portsmouth’s left flank also reduced how much he could get forward. You can tell it was a tough game for him as he was taken off, which normally wouldn’t happen.
Joe Rodon – 6
Headed several dangerous crosses away, made big blocks and some strong challenges in a good performance but didn’t have the pace to deal with Bishop as he went through on goal.
Pascal Struijk – 5
After being alert to a lot of danger throughout the game, he somehow allowed Bishop to run right by him on his way to scoring his goal. Made some good challenges earlier but a costly mistake.
Junior Firpo – 6
Like his fellow full-back, was not involved nearly as much going forward as usual until the final 15 minutes when he came alive and went close to scoring twice. His flank was much more secure than the right.
Ao Tanaka – 4
A tired performance as a gruelling season reaches its closing stages. Wayward passes, loose touches and lost the ball in front of the box to give Pomey a dangerous chance, epitomizing the sloppiness of the side. Didn’t contribute much and was taken off.
Ilia Gruev – 4
Used the ball efficiently at points but this was another performance where he offered little going forwards or backwards in the middle. Strange that he keeps starting big games over the much more effective Joe Rothwell.
Dan James – 5
Dan James should have been awarded a penalty after being kicked in the box but had a mostly quiet game. Was lively when he got the ball but it was a rarity in a difficult match. Came close to scoring with a header.
Brenden Aaronson – 3
Anonymous throughout his 67 minutes on the field.
Manor Solomon – 6
Squandered a really good chance when he was flat footed in the box, not anticipating the ball and then heavy with his first touch but Leeds’ biggest threat with some direct running and shots from distance.
He did excellently to round the goalkeeper and put the ball on a plate for Piroe to tap-in but he somehow missed. Bizarre that he was taken off.
Joel Piroe – 2
It’s all well and good scoring a screamer to put the side three up but they’re not as useful as scoring openers in challenging away games.
He didn’t bury a golden chance when a rebound fell to him six yards out, with all the goal to aim at he fired it right at the goalkeeper. If that wasn’t bad enough, he then missed an absolute sitter as he somehow put the ball over with an open goal to aim at.
Piroe is not involved enough in general play to be missing such massive opportunities that could now prove to be immensely costly in the title race.
Substitutes
Joe Rothwell – 5
Couldn’t beat a one-man wall with a free-kick in a dangerous position.
Largie Ramazani – 5
Hardly got a kick.
Mateo Joseph – 5
Couldn’t make anything happen.
Willy Gnonto – 6
Good on the ball.
Sam Byram – 6
Solid. Denied a later leveller by a fantastic save.
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