Leeds United were very much made to work for their 3-1 victory over Hull City at Elland Road last night.
Having watched both Leicester City and Ipswich Town secure comeback wins earlier in the day, Leeds knew the pressure was on them heading into a very tough clash with the Tigers.
Sam Byram had given Leeds an early lead but the away side certainly did not shy away from the challenge as they dominated the majority of the possession, before equalising through Fabio Carvalho.
Leeds eventually established themselves as the better team in the final half-an-hour but it was not until the final two minutes where they took the lead as Crysencio Summerville stepped up and finished the penalty which he won.
Dan James then put the icing on the cake in the seventh minute of added time with a goal from 45 yards out after City’s ‘keeper had gone forward for a corner.
Farke says Leeds are actually really missing £5m star with injury right now
Leeds were a long way from their best at Elland Road last night but that should not be too much of a surprise considering the players who were out, and the tight schedule of so many others.
In Glen Kamara and Archie Gray, it was a brand new midfield pairing for Leeds and it has to be said that was clear to see, with neither an out and out number four.
Gray was the one who looked as though he was tasked with sitting in front of the back four, but that certainly took away from a lot of his strengths on the ball.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Daniel Farke admitted Ilia Gruev is someone Leeds are really missing right now for a number of reasons.
He said: “A lot. We are thin in midfield. Ampadu important in central defence. Ilia dictates our rhythm and good on the ball. Lacked quality in possession. Archie great enthusiasm.
“Has to get used to the positioning of our game. In dictating the rhythm or speeding it up, at his age he cannot be perfect. Missing Ilia a lot. Played without Connor and Willy.”
Leeds desperate for Gruev return at Coventry on Saturday
Farke had been a little hopeful Gruev was going to return last night but clearly the swelling in his ankle had not gone down as they would’ve liked.
That said, the fact there was some optimism of him playing yesterday is potentially good news for his chances of making Saturday, as Leeds now have five days of proper recovery time.
Leeds are absolutely desperate for the £5 million summer signing to return as they simply had no one in that midfield capable of picking up on those loose balls and winning tackles.
Ethan Ampadu continues to be needed in defence in Pascal Struijk’s absence and so it shows just how stretched the squad is centrally at the moment.
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