Leeds United’s return to action saw them suffer a frustrating 1-0 defeat to Burnley in a game of dodgy refereeing and missed opportunities.
It punished Leeds for a sluggish start and gave Farke plenty to think about in terms of his team’s performance.
Leeds Fail to Capitalize on Early Chance
Leeds had an opportunity to take the lead in the opening minute as Mateo Joseph raced through on goal, only to send his effort wide.
That miss proved costly as Burnley capitalized on a rare foray forward into the game, with Koleosho benefiting after a slip by Manor Solomon.
The young Italian sprinted fifty yards before neatly slotting the ball home past Illan Meslier to give Burnley an early lead within twenty minutes.
Was Leeds Denied a Penalty?
But the biggest controversy surrounded the referee’s decision not to give Leeds a penalty.
Manor Solomon seemed to be fouled by Joe Worrall but the referee gave only a corner.
Fans were outraged, believing it to be a clear penalty.
One such voice was ex-Leeds player Aidy White, stating that while it was a tough call, Worrall did just get the ball, making it a “brave tackle.”
Leeds Struggles in Second Half
Leeds’ failure to capitalize early on was not as worrying as their second-half performance.
There was no real tempo or urgency in their play, with slow, sideways passing and it made for an easy time of things for Burnley to defend.
Though, it was Leeds’ midfield of Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev that performed terribly, failing to create any chances needed to try to spark a victory against Burnley.
Red Card Drama
Burnley’s Bashir Humphreys was sent off in stoppage time, giving Leeds a man advantage in the dying minutes.
However, Leeds failed to take advantage, continuing their passive passing game, much to the frustration of fans and manager Daniel Farke.
Leeds bossed the possession but could not make it count much had a minimal effect on what was happening on the field at any given time, and the red card barely impacted how this one turned out.
Farke’s Midfield Woes
Leeds midfield pair Ampadu and Gruev get a lot of attention.
Against a team like Burnley, who were happy to sit back and defend, the pair’s lack of intensity and creativity left Leeds looking toothless in attack.
There are glaring holes in midfield that could use a fresh injection of talent if Leeds hope to mount a challenge to be promoted.
What’s Next for Leeds?
The result leaves question marks over Leeds’ promotion credentials.
The fans are frustrated with the lack of tempo and ideas, and Farke has plenty to ponder between now and Leeds.
The missed penalty decision might have been one turning point, but Leeds will need to improve if they want to avoid similar disappointments in future games.
For more Leeds United news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates directly to your phone.
