There might be one shining light from Leeds United’s 2-2 draw with Swansea City, which is difficult to say after a rather catastrophic result.
Although it’s a point, it feels like a million dropped for Leeds United, no less because it allowed Sheffield United to move into 1st place of the Championship table, and Burnley in 3rd to go level on points with Daniel Farke’s Leeds.
What makes matters worse is the fact that Leeds United had the lead twice in the game. Brenden Aaronson fired Leeds in front after just one minute of the game but Illan Meslier’s nightmare performance against Swansea City saw the game end 2-2.
The Championship title race has been opened wide once again, with Leeds surely ruing the fact that they had a five point lead at the top just a few weeks ago, and all the momentum in the world.
Fans had plenty to say on social media after the game against Swansea City. Leeds United fans were unimpressed with Manor Solomon and of course Meslier, but one player may have just come out of the game with some praise.
Tony Dorigo heaps praise on Pascal Struijk during Leeds United 2-2 Swansea City
Leeds made hard work of their game against Swansea. At neither end did they ever look like Championship title winners though Meslier’s individual mistakes certainly made the whole performance look that much worse. But Pascal Struijk in front of him had a solid game, at least in the opinion of Tony Dorigo.
Co-commentating on LUTV during the match, Dorigo hailed the Dutchman’s performance after he put in another crunching intervention to break down a Swansea attack, this one coming late on when Leeds were trying to maintain their 2-1 lead before the Swans equalised in the 96th minute.
Dorigo said of he 25-year-old: “He’s been superb today, strong in the air and strong in the tackle. Again there, superb.”
- READ MORE: Burnley manager Scott Parker reacts as Leeds United drop points in Championship promotion race
Pascal Struijk’s stats for Leeds United vs Swansea City show his commanding presence
Struijk has definitely been a key player for Leeds United. They simply look better when they have a fit and firing Struijk in the XI: he brings an air of calm to the side and his aerial ability can never be faltered either.
Not just his defensive ability, but Struijk has popped up with some important goals along the course of the season with an impressive five in 34 Championship games so far this season, including two in the 2-1 comeback win over Sunderland earlier in the year.
| Statistic | Pascal Struijk vs Swansea |
| Touches | 65 |
| Passes completed | 51 |
| Pass % | 86% |
| Defensive actions | 5 |
| Clearances | 4 |
| Tackles | 1 |
| Aerial duels won | 3/3 |
As his stats against Swansea show, Struijk was one of the few who could leave the game with some praise. But as a senior player in the side, he’ll take responsibility for a disappointing result.
Leeds return to action away at Luton Town on Saturday.
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