Leeds United got their 2024/25 campaign underway with a frustrating 3-3 draw against Portsmouth and here are our player ratings from the match.
Illan Meslier – 3
Just not good enough for Portsmouth’s opening goal. A shot he should be saving and a big reason why Leeds didn’t win despite conceding just two shots on target. No sign of him improving on being one of the worst shot-stoppers in the league last season.
Jayden Bogle – 5
A little bit loose in possession at times but showed a few glimpses of his attacking prowess, with a particularly good pass in the first half leading to Gnonto’s shot that hit the crossbar. Didn’t cover himself in glory for the penalty.
Joe Rodon – 5
His foul led to the goal that put the away side in front but wasn’t tested all that much. Could’ve been a little better on the ball at times.
Pascal Struijk – 6
Stepped up to take the penalty emphatically and looked pretty composed to say it was his first competitive appearance since Boxing Day.
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Junior Firpo – 6
Wasn’t tested much defensively but always looked a decent threat going forward. Didn’t quite find his range when it came to his final ball.
Ethan Ampadu – 7
A typical Ampadu-like performance in midfield as he mopped up well and was solid in possession. Nearly scored his first league goal for the club early on.
Ilia Gruev – 6
Some decent set-pieces and a free-kick he was desperately unlucky not to score. At the same time, he still doesn’t look like the answer to Leeds‘ number eight problems.
Dan James – 6
Didn’t see as much of the ball as the rest of his teammates in attack but won the penalty and was fairly dangerous. A couple of his crosses could’ve been better.
Georginio Rutter – 8
Definitely Leeds’ biggest threat in the final third with his dribbling, but perhaps lost the ball a little more than he should have. Practically man-handled by the away side every time he got it.
Wilfried Gnonto – 7
Looks like he’ll get plenty of chances on that left-hand-side and took his goal very well. A couple of crosses and shots he could’ve done better with, though.
Mateo Joseph – 7
Did everything really well in terms of movement, link-up play and off the ball work, but can’t get higher due to the chance he missed just after Gnonto’s equaliser.
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Subs
Brenden Aaronson – 6
Fantastic goal to level the scoring, but missed an absolute sitter to win it.
Joel Piroe – 5
Didn’t do much.
Joe Rothwell – 6
Looked more natural in that role than Gruev with some of his forward passing, but not much time to effect the game.
Patrick Bamford – n/a
Rusty.
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