Leeds United limped to the end of their 2023/24 Championship campaign with a 2-1 home defeat against Southampton at Elland Road.
Leeds United’s latest defeat came on the back of last Friday’s 4-0 capitulation in London against QPR.
It means that the Whites now head into the lottery that is the Championship play-offs with Ipswich Town securing 2nd to go up with Leicester City. First up for Daniel Farke’s side is a two-legged semi-final against his former employers, Norwich City.
Image courtesy of: JASON CAIRNDUFF/REUTERS.
Saturday’s loss against Southampton saw all three goals scored in a 17-minute spurt in the first-half. Russell Martin’s Saints took the lead through Adam Armstrong (18′), before Joel Piroe (21′) restored parity for Farke’s side.
Will Smallbone (35′) made it 2-1 for the Hampshire outfit with what proved to be the game’s final goal.
All in all, it was a disappointing loss for Leeds United, one that added to the downward form that the West Yorkshire giants have shown since the last international break. Recent performances have drawn criticism from fans, who will want to see their club come out roaring against the Canaries next week.
Who is this?
One bright light for Leeds United
In a sea of bad-to-mediocre performances, one stood out for Yorkshire Eveing Post reporter Graham Smyth.
That player was Italian international, Wilfried Gnonto. He landed a 7/10 from the YEP’s Smyth, who had this to say about the young wing star’s display against Southampton:
“Held a threat, worked well with Byram, got at Manning and played a part in the goal. Body language showed that he was up for it, at least.”
Image courtesy of: ED SYKES/REUTERS.
As per WhoScored‘s match data, Gnonto had a tidier game than other Leeds United players did in catching Smyth’s eye.
He was busy in attack, completing one mazy dribble and engineering four shooting opportunities. Three of these were from inside the area as the diminutive Italian looked to get on the scoresheet.
In a game where the bulk of Leeds United’s players were off the boil, it was Gnonto’s efforts and energy that stood out. He will need to carry this effort and energy forward into next Sunday’s first leg at Carrow Road.
It is then that they will face a Norwich City outfit with similar inconsistent form and coming off of a last-day defeat. The Whites need to win to put themselves in the best position for the return leg at Elland Road.
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