A massive following of 7,100 Leeds United fans were left bitterly disappointed as their team didn’t show up at Ewood Park and suffered a 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
Leeds United missed the chance to go back to the top of the Championship table after slipping to a narrow defeat at Blackburn Rovers.
A largely dull game was decided midway through the first half when Todd Cantwell tucked away a penalty into the bottom corner after Ao Tanaka gave away the spot kick.
Leeds hardly created any clear-cut chances in a frustrating match, even when they were handed nine minutes of added time.
Here’s how the players rated.
Illan Meslier – 6
Dived the right way for the penalty but it was too perfectly placed to reach. Otherwise didn’t have much to do.
Jayden Bogle – 5
Was a regular threat down the right flank with his pace but squandered some good chances to break.
Was also sloppy and strangely hesitant at the back, taking an age to control the ball and get rid of it on occasions. Earned a booking after getting caught out in one such instance and bundled his opponent over.
Pascal Struijk – 5
Was dragged out of position and then sent to the cleaners far too easily by Tyrhys Dolan in the build-up to the penalty. It was complacent defending that proved costly. Delivered one great cross for the best chance of the second half and made a pivotal block to keep the score down.
Joe Rodon – 4.5
Would have also been responsible for giving a goal away early on when he lost his man and was out-jumped for a header that then hit the bar. Not much else to do.
Junior Firpo – 3
Returned to the team after a three-game ban and looked rusty. A slack touch and didn’t provide much support in attack. A lazy clearance gave Blackburn a great chance to make it two late on and a poor challenge shortly after gave them another.
Ao Tanaka – 6
Displayed some lovely one-touch passing in the middle of the park, moving the ball well to get Leeds into the game, and once again made important tackles. Unfortunate to give away the penalty when colliding with Dolan as he tried to get back.
Joe Rothwell – 4
A fairly anonymous performance and too passive in the middle. Passing radar was off, especially on set pieces where he is usually so good. Taken off.
Dan James – 4
Offered little attacking threat and made wrong decisions in promising areas by playing the wrong pass or overhitting the right one. Should have been the one to go off, not Gnonto.
Brenden Aaronson – 5
Created one chance with a nice pass but then fluffed his lines when the ball came back to him and miss-hit a volley in a good position. Good energy but was not really effective. Hooked on the 68th minute.
Willy Gnonto – 7
Leeds’ bright spark and created their best chances. His intense pressing earned one shot on goal and he skilfully cut inside to have another good effort. The only player who remotely turned up with his exciting creativity on the ball. Bizarrely taken off.
Joel Piroe – 4
Didn’t seize upon a golden opportunity when he latched onto a poor back pass, with his flimsy effort snuffed out. Had no other real chances before being taken off in a quiet game.
Substitutes
Largie Ramazani – 6
Made some good runs and immediately injected urgency to the attack. Put the ball in the back of the net but the whistle had well gone.
Manor Solomon – 4
Little involvement.
Patrick Bamford – 6
Showed great strength to hold off a defender before hitting the post. Fashioned another chance from distance but had little support.
Mateo Joseph – 4
Did nothing.
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