Leeds United fans are waking up after a third Premier League defeat of the season on Sunday morning, even though they probably didn’t deserve it.
Spurs ended Leeds’ run of more than a year without losing at home in the league. A run that stretched to 23 league games going into Saturday’s fixture, the last loss coming against Burnley in September 2024.
It had seen Leeds come closer than ever to breaking Don Revie’s record between 1968 and 1970, since the 1992 run under Howard Wilkinson. But that is now over, with Thomas Frank coming out on top.
Individual quality got the better of Leeds, with Spurs able to call on a £50m+ player in Mohammed Kudus. A goal and an assist from the former West Ham star proved too much for Leeds to overcome on Saturday.
But there are plenty of positives to take from the game once again, with numerous Leeds players showing that they have what it takes to drive Leeds towards Premier League safety. One is Sean Longstaff.
Sean Longstaff better than any Premier League player, in one area
Longstaff didn’t start the first two Premier League matches, but has now started five in a row – coming in to the side against Newcastle. The £15m addition has already picked up two man of the match awards.
But it is Longstaff’s work off the ball that is striking a chord with Leeds fans, even if he laid on a goal and an assist against Bournemouth and was close to nestling an effort in the bottom corner on Saturday.
According to stats man Jonny Cooper, Longstaff has made more successful tackles than any other Premier League player since gameweek three, when Longstaff started. The midfielder has made a total of 19.
Has Thomas Tuchel made a mistake overlooking Sean Longstaff?
Central midfield has always been an issue for England, in the modern era. Who partners Declan Rice, to allow Jude Bellingham to play a free role? Nottingham Forest’s Elliott Anderson seems to be the answer.
But does Anderson boast the physicality needed for the role? Gareth Southgate often said that England missed Kalvin Phillips, following the midfielder’s move to Man City and his struggles on the sidelines.
Longstaff might just be that man. Overlooked for the friendlies against Latvia and Wales in the October international break, if Longstaff continues this form, it will be difficult for Thomas Tuchel to ignore.
Danny Murphy claimed Leeds’ deal to sign Longstaff at £15m was the best he’d seen this summer and on evidence so far, it is difficult to argue. If Leeds can match Longstaff’s quality, survival will be easy.
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