Leeds United were left frustrated at Elland Road as they drew 1-1 with Blackburn Rovers on New Year’s Day.
Despite a late goal from Pascal Struijk, a quick reply from Blackburn’s side denied Leeds the victory they were chasing.
Leeds Take the Lead Late On
Leeds United looked like they were about to take all three points when Struijk scored an 88th-minute penalty.
Fans in Elland Road erupted, believing the Whites had sealed another crucial win to stay at the top of the Championship.
The penalty came after Leeds pushed hard against a tough Blackburn defense. The visitors were strong at the back, frustrating Daniel Farke’s side for most of the game.
But when Mateo Joseph was fouled in the box, Struijk stepped up to fire Leeds ahead.
Blackburn Hits Back Immediately
Blackburn, however, weren’t done. Just two minutes after Leeds’ opener, Danny Batth found the net following a corner that Leeds failed to clear.
The equalizer silenced the home crowd and left the Whites with only one point from the game.
Referee Oliver Langford added 10 minutes of stoppage time due to Blackburn’s time-wasting tactics and a flurry of yellow cards in the dying minutes.
Leeds tried to find a winner, but Blackburn held firm until the final whistle.
Smyth Hits Back at Eustace
Blackburn manager John Eustace expressed his anger after the match about the added 10 minutes, calling it unfair.
However, Graham Smyth, a writer for the Yorkshire Evening Post, didn’t hold back in his response.
Smyth described Eustace’s comments as “laughable,” pointing out how Blackburn’s own time-wasting tactics contributed to the added time.
Smyth added that fans deserve more football for the money they pay and criticized players who waste time by pretending to need treatment.
Promotion Still the Goal
Leeds United remain three points clear at the top of the Championship table, with their rivals Burnley and Sheffield United both slipping up.
However, this result could have extended their lead further, leaving a feeling of “what could have been.”
After missing out on Premier League promotion last season, Daniel Farke knows how important it is to get Leeds back into the top flight this year.
The Whites are in a strong position, but every point counts in the race for promotion.
Leeds will hope this draw doesn’t come back to haunt them in the later stages of the season.
With so much football left to play, fans will be looking to Farke’s side to keep pushing and avoid slipping up again.
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