Dominic Calvert-Lewin has made an honest admission following Leeds United’s defeat to Tottenham, one he should start following.
Leeds United were left regretting more missed chances as they once again wasted a spirited performance in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs took the lead after early Leeds pressure through Mathys Tel’s deflected rocket, but Daniel Farke’s side fought back once again to get things level.
Noah Okafor bagged his second and Leeds’ 800th Premier League goal after turning in a rebound from close range and Leeds had Spurs rattled in an entertaining and feisty first half.
However, Leeds failed to take their chances and had no reply when Mohammed Kudus found the bottom corner following another costly Gabriel Gudmundsson error.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has called for the side to start taking their opportunities.
- Who is Dominic Calvert-Lewin? The former Everton striker who joined Leeds United on a free transfer
Dominic Calvert-Lewin reacts to Leeds United’s defeat to Tottenham
Speaking to LUTV after the game, Calvert-Lewin admitted that Leeds paid the price for failing to convert their great opportunities.
He said: “We had chances, but if you don’t put them in the net, you get punished.
“This is the Premier League and ultimately you have to take them
“I think we’ve shown we can compete at this level.
“It’s important to stay balanced. I’m happy with the start we’ve made. It’s fine margins.
“Keep doing the right things over the course of a season, it will pay you back.”
Of all the players on the field who know about missing chances, Calvert-Lewin is number one.
Leeds desperately need Calvert-Lewin to start taking his chances
It’s quite hard not to sense the irony in Calvert-Lewin’s words, given that he is the chief culprit in missing great chances.
The striker was put clean through on goal by Anton Stach against Spurs, but showed little composure as he blasted his effort miles over the bar. He had two more chances in the game and failed to convert either.
In fact, Calvert-Lewin has averaged 2.2 shots per game in his six appearances and has only managed to score once so far, as great a header as it was against Wolves. In addition, he is underperforming on xG by -1.1.
Calvert-Lewin is doing a lot of good work up front for Leeds. He is an outlet for long balls, he works hard, he holds the ball up and he brings others into play. It was his tidy knockdown that led to Okafor’s goal.
Yet, all of that good work will count for nothing if Leeds go down because he hasn’t scored the goals necessary for survival, despite having the chances to do so.
Hopefully, he follows his own advice. Quickly.
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