Daniel Farke actually felt relatively pleased to see Leeds United come away with a point at Watford last night.
The Whites were able to salvage a draw with just five minutes to play thanks to Mateo Joseph’s first ever league goal for the club, just a matter of seconds after coming off the bench.
Prior to the international break, Leeds had been on an incredible run of form having picked up 37 points from a possible 39 available, with momentum firmly behind them.
However, it was clear last night the mini hiatus from club football had not been kind to Leeds, with three key players in Willy Gnonto, Ilia Gruev and Connor Roberts out injured, and those who were fit looking a little leggy after their international exploits.
Farke has had barely more than a handful of first team players in at Thorp Arch over the last two weeks, and it is fair to say there is one who really looked as though he benefitted from a rest.
BBC pundit says one player looked capable of creating something for Leeds last night
Gnonto has been the man who has stepped up in attack in recent weeks with six goals in his last nine league starts. He was severely missed last night, and will be for the next few matches.
Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville had both been a little below par before the break, and perhaps understandably, the former still looked as though he was feeling the effects of his surgery last night.
Summerville, however, was electric. Watford interim boss Tom Cleverley was full of praise for him post-match, after witnessing him score an absolute beauty in the first-half.
He completed 100 per cent of his attempted dribbles as all of Leeds’ positive attacking play came down his side. Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds, pundit Jon Newsome says he looked like the only capable of unlocking the door.
He said: “I think Crysencio Summerville was the pick of the bunch, he was terrific. Scored a goal, created another one and was the one who looked like he would unlock the door all night. And probably the only one who looked like that.
“It was a tough night for the majority of the players and as I say, you take the point we have clawed back. When you don’t play well, but don’t get beat, that camaraderie and togetherness [is still there].”
What Cleverley said about Summerville post-match
As mentioned, Watford interim boss Cleverley was not shy about giving Summerville praise after the match, having delivered such an impressive performance.
The £1.3 million man was very much back to his best last night and the right-side of Watford’s defence simply could not handle his pace and directness.
After praising his side for being better than Leeds for 65 minutes, Cleverley then went onto say that Summerville is actually the best player in the Championship.
He said: “We were the best side for 65 mins. I’m very proud of them. Brave in possession…. Playing with that much intensity its hard to hold on against a side like Leeds… who have the league’s best player in Summerville.”
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