Leeds United managed to grab a late equalizer in their 1-1 draw with Preston North End at Deepdale.
Brad Potts opened the scoring for Preston in the 23rd minute, but a dramatic own goal by Jack Whatmough in the 93rd minute salvaged a point for the Whites.
Despite the result, Leeds dropped crucial points in their Championship promotion push.
The performance drew mixed reactions, with some players standing out while others failed to impress.
Here are the player ratings for Leeds:
Illan Meslier – 3
The Leeds keeper had another poor outing. He allowed Potts’ shot, which came straight down the middle, to slip through him. Preston didn’t offer much offensively, but Meslier failed to deliver when needed.
Jayden Bogle – 6
Bogle struggled defensively during Potts’ goal, failing to close down the space. However, he improved as the match went on, contributing to attacks and working hard along the right flank.
Joe Rodon – 7
Rodon stood out at the back, handling Preston’s threats effectively. His calmness in possession and ability to move the ball forward were vital in keeping Leeds in the game.
Pascal Struijk – 5
The Leeds skipper had a tough day. He was outmuscled by Preston’s forwards and looked shaky in crucial moments, especially during the lead-up to the goal.
Sam Byram – 6
Byram gave a solid performance on the left, filling in well for Junior Firpo. However, he was partially at fault for the goal, being caught out of position at a key moment.
Ao Tanaka – 6
Not his best day, but Tanaka kept the midfield ticking. While he distributed the ball well, he failed to provide the decisive passes needed to unlock Preston’s defence.
Joe Rothwell – 6
Usually reliable, Rothwell struggled with his delivery on set-pieces. Though he had some promising moments, he couldn’t influence the game as much as expected.
Dan James – 9
James was the standout performer for Leeds. He was a constant threat, creating chances and nearly scoring himself when his effort hit the bar. Leeds will feel they let James down with their overall performance.
Brenden Aaronson – 4
Aaronson had another disappointing game, missing a golden opportunity to score in the first half. He offered little creativity and was subbed off early in the second half.
Wilfried Gnonto – 5
Gnonto failed to make an impact against a resolute Preston defence. He struggled to find space and couldn’t replicate his recent goal-scoring form.
Joel Piroe – 6
Piroe had a frustrating game. His free-kick hit the wall, and most of his attempts were blocked by defenders. He needs to step up to justify his role in the team.
Substitutes
Patrick Bamford – 4
Bamford missed a sitter shortly after coming on. His performance will raise questions about his place in the pecking order.
Mateo Joseph – 7
Joseph made a big impact late in the game, pressuring Whatmough into his own goal that saved a point for Leeds.
Largie Ramazani – 5
Ramazani had little time to influence the game, but he worked hard during his brief appearance.
Manor Solomon – 5
Solomon added some energy but couldn’t create anything meaningful.
Ethan Ampadu – N/A
A late substitute with no significant impact.
Final Thoughts
Leeds showed resilience to snatch a point at the death, but the performance left much to be desired.
Daniel Farke’s men will need to step up if they hope to maintain their Championship promotion push.
The January transfer window might be crucial in addressing the team’s weaknesses.
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