Alan Sheehan’s return to Elland Road proved to be fruitful one for the interim Swansea City manager as the Welsh side stole a point in the dying moments against Daniel Farke’s self-destructing side.
It looked like it was going to be a good day after just 40 seconds, for those of a Leeds persuasion. It has been a difficult few months for Brenden Aaronson, not least after Aaronson was axed from USA’s squad.
Yet, the American netted his ninth of the season and Illan Meslier pulled off a penalty save. But Swansea equalised when Meslier went from hero to zero, dropping the ball Hull-style at the feet of Harry Darling.
Even then, Leeds looked like they’d win when Willy Gnonto slammed home from a Joe Rothwell corner – but Meslier failed to keep out a 96th-minute snap shot from Jan Vipotnik to the dismay of Leeds fans.
Alan Sheehan shares Swansea pre-match homework before Leeds
To Swansea’s credit, they gave Leeds a real game – one of the toughest matches Leeds have faced at Elland Road. If that was Swansea’s doing or Leeds folding under the pressure of promotion, who knows.
Sheehan was confirmed as Swansea boss until the summer before the game and the former Elland Road defender said in his post-match press conference that the Swansea team watched 10 Leeds games.
“The equaliser is the least we deserved. We didn’s start well. We could have gone two, three down. But we kept going. Point is the least we deserve. The best thing we could do was limit space and be aggressive.
“We watched 10 of their games. Knowing what they want to do and stopping it are two different things. We had to stand off the spaces become too big with the individuals they have,” Sheehan said post-match.
Alan Sheehan makes Premier League claim about Leeds United
So, the point leaves Leeds in second place but only on goal difference. Sheffield United’s win against Coventry City takes Chris Wilder’s men two cleat at the top of the Championship, Burnley stay in third.
But Scott Parker’s men are in fine form too, beating Bristol City and improving their goal difference at a quick rate. Sheehan also spoke about old club Leeds and gave a Premier League verdict on The Whites.
“I think we were tactically spot on. Leeds are a massive club for the division and the Premier League. They play a very good brand of football,” Sheehan said, which is easier to say after stealing a point at Leeds.
Leeds will now have to wait a full six days before they take to the field again, coming in the form of a lunchtime kick-off at Kenilworth Road against improving Luton – who beat Joe Gelhardt’s Hull City.
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