Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has explained how difficult Leeds United made it for his team in Saturday’s draw, naming one player in particular.
Leeds United have been left with late heartache once again after a last-gasp goal saw them lose vital points in the Premier League.
Daniel Farke’s side had put in a great display, fighting back from Antoine Semenyo’s opener to take the lead at Elland Road.
Joe Rodon levelled with a powerful header before Sean Longstaff’s sublime outside-of-the-boot shot put the home side into the lead.
Leeds were forced to hold on, and their resolve caved in the 93rd minute when Eli Kroupi volleyed in, to turn three points into just one.
A draw with high-flying Bournemouth remains a good result and Leeds can take heart from the performance, with Andoni Iraola praising it.
The Bournemouth boss also picked out Dominic Calvert-Lewin as a player who caused his side problems.
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Andoni Iraola praises Dominic Calvert-Lewin for performance vs Bournemouth
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Iraola gave his assessment of the match and admitted it was very tough for his side.
He said: “Game was very physical. Calvert-Lewin winning a lot of first contacts.
“Physical midfield, winning second balls. Normally, we are good in that type of game, but Leeds have been very good in the duels and fighting for the ball. Difficult for us.
“We were hurting from the left side, when they equalised, from there until 2-1, we did not play at all. You could see it coming, their goal more than ours.
“Pushed them back, had chances, but not clear because they have a lot defending.”
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was great, but he needed to score
Calvert-Lewin put in a great display and for that, he deserves a lot of credit.
As Iraola pointed out, the striker beat his markers to lots of loose balls and led the line excellently for Leeds.
He held the ball up, won fouls, intelligently brought others into play and tirelessly ran the channels. He did everything. Well, everything but score.
Sadly, that is the most important role of a striker and he didn’t fulfil it despite having the chances.
Calvert-Lewin had an opening in the first 20 seconds, but better chances were to come. He poked one shot goalwards that he should have done better with, but was denied by a great save, and then had a free header in the middle of the box that went straight at the goalkeeper.
Chances are at a premium when you’re fighting at the bottom end of the table and Leeds desperately need their striker to take them. Otherwise, more points will be dropped.
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