Leeds United’s inability to beat Preston North End on Saturday afternoon was compounded by a 2-0 win for Sheffield United over Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle, later on.
As the Championship’s 21st round of games got underway, Leeds were held to a point by former boss Paul Heckingbottom. In fact, Heckingbottom says Leeds were lucky to have won a point at Deepdale.
Despite big chances for Brenden Aaronson and others, and Dan James hitting the bar, Leeds had to wait until the 93rd minute when a combination of Mateo Joseph and Jack Whatmough saw the scores go level.
A point at a side Leeds lost to last season, Joseph said it was “hectic” in the Leeds dressing room after the game. But, morale might have dipped when news of Sheffield United’s result surfaced, against Plymouth.
Darko Gyabi could have helped Leeds United in promotion push
Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth were beaten by Chris Wilder’s side, who went 1-0 up just before the 20-minute mark through star Gustavo Hamer. Hamer of course was the subject of a bid from Leeds in the summer.
Kieffer Moore scored a second on 88 minutes, but Sheffield United were made to feel a whole lot more uncomfortable than they might have thought they would, pre-match. Darko Gyabi had a massive chance.
On loan at Plymouth from Leeds, £5m Elland Road signing Gyabi is yet to score in 29 games for Rooney’s men. On Saturday, he had the chance to score but missed – described as a “horror miss” by Sky Sports.
Below is Sheffield United’s three-minute highlights on YouTube, and after one minute, you can see Gyabi blazing a first-time effort wide from 12 yards with the scoreline still only reading 1-0 to Sheffield United.
However, Sheffield United went on to win 2-0 and Michael Cooper continued his stunning form. The gap is three points behind Leeds and Sheffield United, but had Gyabi scored, it might have only been a point.
Darko Gyabi has no future at Leeds United, surely…
Gyabi joined Leeds for £5m in a separate deal to Kalvin Phillips’ move to Man City, joining Leeds from City in 2022. But since that move to Elland Road, Gyabi has only played five time for Leeds’ senior side.
He has spent the last year at Plymouth, in and out of form. Plymouth have confirmed that Leeds have the option to recall England U20 midfielder back in January, specifially between January 1 and January 7.
But Gyabi will not be recalled by Leeds unless The Whites find a buyer for the midfielder. Gyabi look set to remain at Plymouth and when he returns next summer, the chances are he will be moved on once again.
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