Anyone familiar with the twists and turns of a title race will understand the feeling the Leeds United supporters were left with making that long trip back home from Portsmouth on Sunday.
Was this the turning point? Has the door just opened for Sheffield United, Burnley and even Sunderland too?
From five points clear only a fortnight ago, could Leeds United be down to third come the end of the week? Are Leeds, as the song goes, ‘falling apart again?’
Well, EFL expert George Elek certainly doesn’t think so.
Supporters of Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, even Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, have seen this sort of story unfold many a time. When the opposition goalkeeper turns into prime Gianluigi Buffon. When a vociferous home support creates a sense of claustrophobia. When you concede against the run of play.
And when your star striker – Joel Piroe, in Leeds’ case – leaves his shooting boots in the dressing room.
Daniel Farke feels Piroe is ‘the best finisher in the league’. Yet, when two golden chances were presented to him at Fratton Park, the usually-reliable Dutchman was found strangely wanting.
Joel Piroe misses prove costly as Leeds United lose at Portsmouth
Piroe fired straight into the body of an outstanding Nicolas Schmid after the Pompey goalkeeper had palmed out Manor Solomon’s drive.
If that was a presentable opportunity, then the one Piroe skied moments into the second-half was gilt-edged. More fine work from Solomon, but the Dutchman scooped miles into the South Coast sky with Schmid sprawling.
A miss Elek, given the importance of every single game at this stage of the season, described as bordering on the ‘unforgivable’.
Yet, the man who tipped Leeds United to win the Championship title by ten points only a few weeks back sees no reason to ring the alarms just yet. Leeds recorded an XG of 2.27, after all, compared to Portsmouth’s 0.66
‘One of those days’, indeed.
“Pompey at home are a genuine top half side, probably even better than that! So there is an angle here that this result is not as disastrous as Leeds fans may think it is,” Elek argues, John Mousinho’s side maintaining a fine recent run of four wins in five matches.
“And you also factor in the performance itself. We can praise Pompey all you like, but they should have been behind before Colby Bishop scores.”
Elek also highlights what he felt was a stonewall spot-kick turned away when Dan James’ foot was booted up in the air by a reckless Matt Ritchie.
Daniel Farke was equally bemused with referee Rob Jones, and understandably so.
Portsmouth get lucky as Dan James denied a penalty at Fratton Park
“Before [Bishop scores the winner], Leeds should have had an absolutely blatant penalty,” Elek argues. “There were two of the worst penalty decisions I’ve ever seen this weekend [James’ and the one denied to Coventry City in their 3-2 win over Stoke City].
“Then Joel Piroe, who has his detractors but over time is one of the most clinical finishers in Championship football and has been in recent history. Two very good chances.
“The first of which he doesn’t do too much wrong. Schmid makes a good save. The second is kind of unforgivable, he blazes the ball over the var from close range with the goal gaping. Schmid [also] made three good saves at 1-0.
“There is nothing in Leeds’ performance to suggest they are falling apart, or that they are dropping off. It’s just one of those games where they can’t put their chances away, up against a keeper inspired, and they concede a good goal.”
Wednesday’s Elland Road clash with Millwall – albeit a Millwall side who won 2-0 in West Yorkshire during their FA Cup meeting recently – represents the ideal opportunity for Piroe and co to bounce back.
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