Had Daniel Farke been offered a point against Bournemouth before Saturday’s clash at Elland Road, the Leeds United manager would have surely taken it. Yet, Leeds will be feeling hard done by.
Andoni Iraola had taken his side to fourth in the Premier League after five games, with 10 points in the bank. Bournemouth had taken the lead, but Leeds came roaring back and led before the hour mark.
Sean Longstaff laid on his first assist for Leeds since his £15m move from Newcastle, creating a rare collector’s item in the form of a Joe Rodon goal. Then, Longstaff opened his account to make it 2-1.
A gorgeous goal, the highlight of a frenetic game that was end to end. But such was the nature of the game, there was always a twist in the tail and Bournemouth provided it, scoring a 93rd-minute equaliser.
Beren Cross delivers worrying Noah Okafor news during game
Daniel Farke only used three of his available five substitutes on Saturday afternoon, with Jack Harrison, Ao Tanaka and Lukas Nmecha coming off the bench. Harrison came on after 67 minutes, for Noah Okafor.
Okafor had been criticised in the week by Farke. It comes after Jon Newsome said Leeds cannot afford passengers, when discussing Okafor losing the ball against Wolves. Today, Okafor worked his socks off.
Perhaps, in reaction to the comments made. But on 67 minutes, the Switzerland ace came off and Beren Cross claims on X that he was “limping”. Certainly, Okafor was grimacing as he left the Elland Road pitch.
Cross reported during the game: “Okafor exchanges applause with the away fans as he comes off for Harrison, slightly limping, in the 70th minute.”
Where do Leeds sit in the Premier League as things stand?
Level on points with Brighton after six games? There is no doubt that Leeds and Farke would have been delighted with that and as things turn out, they should be. Eight points from six games is a solid start.
That is given Leeds have faced some of the Premier League’s toughest sides. Two of the division’s teams in the Champions League, as well as an improved Everton and Bournemouth, who sit in fifth position.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 15 |
| 2 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 12 |
| 3 |  BournemouthBournemouth | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 11 |
| 4 |  Manchester CityManchester City | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| 5 |  ArsenalArsenal | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 10 |
| 6 |  TottenhamTottenham | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
| 7 |  ChelseaChelsea | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 8 |
| 8 |  SunderlandSunderland | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| 9 |  FulhamFulham | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 8 |
| 10 |  BrightonBrighton | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 8 |
| 11 |  LeedsLeeds | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 9 | -3 | 8 |
| 12 |  EvertonEverton | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 7 |
Can Leeds get better? Of course they can. But with eight points in the bank, and agonisingly close to having another three points but for last-minute goals going against Leeds, Farke will be happy so far.
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