As is often the case, Leeds United made hard work of their latest Championship outing. The Whites threw away a two goal lead to eventually draw 3-3 away at Hull City on Saturday, in another two points dropped for the league leaders.
Leeds United went into their game against Hull City with a bit of pressure on their shoulders, after Burnley won at Blackburn Rovers in the early kick off to go level on points with Daniel Farke’s side.
Last time out, Leeds drew 1-1 against Blackburn Rovers at Elland Road. The game was a frustrating watch for Leeds fans and so too was the first half of the game against Hull City on Saturday.
The Tigers took an unexpected lead into half-time thanks to a neat finish from Abu Kamara who found himself in acres of space, lobbing the ball over a helpless Illan Meslier who rushed out to meet him.
But Leeds were back in front by the hour mark. After the break, Ao Tanaka fired one into the top corner from the edge of the box before Dan James bundled one over the line.
Joel Piroe then rifled home a third, seemingly sealing the win. But Hull would score a second, with Meslier once again getting pelters after he palmed the ball into the path of Joao Pedro who finished from point blank range.
Then just as Leeds looked like they’d hold on for the win, Kamara scored another, with Leeds yet again conceding late on from a corner kick as the game ended 3-3 at the MKM Stadium.
Leeds United player ratings vs Hull City
Illan Meslier – 5/10
Meslier had a tricky decision to make when Hull scorer Abu Kamara got through on goal. He decided to come out and got lobbed. In hindsight, he probably should’ve stayed back a bit longer. Later on had a nervy moment when he failed to claim a low ball into the box. Then Hull’s second goal, a complete lack of judgement from the Frenchman.
Max Wober – 6/10
Another who was at fault for Hull City’s opening goal. He got way too far in front of his man and opened up a huge gap in the middle for Kamara to run through. Had some nice passes in the first half but didn’t look overly confident defensively. Couple of good moments in attack after the break before coming off.
Ethan Ampadu – 7/10
Arguably Leeds’ best player in the first half. If not then he was certainly Leeds’ most composed player, moving the ball around nicely and winning his battles. Assured at the back throughout. He really can play anywhere.
Joe Rodon – 6/10
The poor pitch didn’t do Rodon’s passing game any favours against Hull City. He kept things ticking over as best he could but there were a couple of moments in the game where he looked a bit nervy when the Hull players were running at him.
Jayden Bogle – 5.5/10
Certainly wasn’t at his best in the first half, though Dan James’ poor first 45 didn’t help Bogle’s cause. Got forward on a couple of occasions and had one sight of goal. Sometimes sloppy in possession in both halves of the game. Just didn’t seem to have that usual chemistry that he has with James in front of him.
Ao Tanaka – 6.5/10
In and out of the game in the first half. When he got on the ball though, he helped contribute to some of Leeds’ best attacking play in the first half. Then after the break, he netted his first Leeds goal in style, setting up the Whites for an eventual win.
Joe Rothwell – 6.5/10
Couldn’t get much of a foothold on the game in the first 45, like he normally tries to do. Again, the pitch conditions won’t have helped that. Rothwell though kept on running and pressing the Hull players, getting back and making interventions too.
Manor Solomon – 7/10
Very lively when he managed to get on the ball. Often had the beating of his man down that left side and made a few neat passes and lobbed through balls, though his teammates couldn’t make anything of them. Same again in the second half, playing a big role in James’ goal.
Brenden Aaronson – 6.5/10
A lot like Tanaka in the first half. A passenger at times in the first half but when he got on the ball, he looked tidy in possession. A couple of really neat forward and out wide in another game where he played well, albeit without doing anything spectacular.
Dan James – 6/10
Frustrating for the most part. Just couldn’t get going on the first half with the Hull defenders often dropping deep when James managed to get a yard of space to get on the run. Often poor in possession and again, he lacked end product. That is barring his goal, which proved vital in the comeback.
Joel Piroe – 6/10
Poor in the first half. Wasn’t as isolated as he sometimes is and he saw his share of the ball. But he just couldn’t make it stick when he did have the ball. Though as he often does, Piroe needed just one proper sight of goal to get himself on the scoresheet. A terrific finish for his 10th league goal of the season.
Sam Byram – 5.5/10
Not a lot of the game came down his left hand side when he came on for Wober. Got up and down the flank but didn’t have any major impact on the game.
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