Leeds held to frustrating draw by Brentford


Leeds United's winless run in the Premier League extended to six games as they were held to a frustrating draw by Brentford.
Jesse Marsch's side had the better chances and forced Brentford goalkeeper David Raya into several good saves at Elland Road.
Teenager Wilfried Gnonto, fresh from his double in the FA Cup win over Cardiff on Wednesday, had the best opening but his effort was kept out by Raya.
Brentford failed to produce a shot on target but kept their discipline in defence to keep Leeds out and extend their unbeaten record to eight successive games.
Bees forward Ivan Toney cut an isolated figure up front and his frustration boiled over with a tussle for possession with Robin Koch costing him a yellow card.
The point lifts Leeds up to 15th place, a point above the relegation zone, while Brentford move up to eighth.
Result suits Brentford but Leeds show signs of improvementThese two sides had produced 14 goals in their three Premier League meetings, but this one was lacking clear-cut opportunities at either end of the pitch.
Marsch and his Leeds side are under pressure and the stalemate means the hosts have only won once at Elland Road since August.
But this was a promising display as Leeds had more of the ball and produced five shots on target. Standing in their way was the in-form Raya, who made six saves to ensure a clean sheet for Thomas Frank's side.
January signing Max Wober, making his first league start in place of injured captain Liam Cooper, produced the first attempt with a curling free-kick which went narrowly wide.
Rodrigo then forced Raya into an acrobatic save before the interval as Leeds upped the ante, but the final product was lacking.
When Gnonto was played in on the angle, the Italian's well-struck effort was at a comfortable height for Raya to react and palm behind to safety.
Leeds' intent against a side who have won their last three league games will have pleased the home crowd, but they lacked a clinical edge to turn one point into three and give themselves a greater safety cushion.
Brentford were resolute in their shape and were tough to break down, and a hard-earned point on the road keeps them in the hunt for European football.
Player of the match
GnontoWilfried Gnonto
Squad number29Player nameGnonto
Average rating7.29
Squad number39Player nameWöber
Average rating7.13
Squad number5Player nameKoch
Average rating7.07
Squad number12Player nameAdams
Average rating6.91
Squad number1Player nameMeslier
Average rating6.81
Squad number11Player nameHarrison
Average rating6.76
Squad number19Player nameRodrigo
Average rating6.74
Squad number2Player nameAyling
Average rating6.67
Squad number9Player nameBamford
Average rating6.61
Squad number21Player nameStruijk
Average rating6.50
Squad number8Player nameRoca
Average rating6.35
Squad number42Player nameGreenwood
Average rating6.14
Squad number23Player nameSinisterra
Average rating6.13
Squad number7Player nameAaronson
Average rating6.06
Squad number1Player nameRaya
Average rating6.32
Squad number16Player nameMee
Average rating5.87
Squad number17Player nameToney
Average rating5.86
Squad number20Player nameAjer
Average rating5.62
Squad number5Player namePinnock
Average rating5.58
Squad number6Player nameNørgaard
Average rating5.46
Squad number8Player nameJensen
Average rating5.38
Squad number3Player nameHenry
Average rating5.37
Squad number30Player nameRoerslev
Average rating5.25
Squad number10Player nameDasilva
Average rating5.16
Squad number19Player nameMbeumo
Average rating5.16
Squad number27Player nameJanelt
Average rating4.94
Squad number11Player nameWissa
Average rating4.88
Formation 4-2-3-1
1Meslier
2Ayling5Koch39Wöber21Struijk
12Adams8Roca
7Aaronson29Gnonto11Harrison
19Rodrigo
- 1Meslier
- 2Ayling
- 5KochBooked at 83mins
- 39Wöber
- 21Struijk
- 12Adams
- 8RocaSubstituted forGreenwoodat 87'minutes
- 7AaronsonSubstituted forSinisterraat 70'minutes
- 29Gnonto
- 11Harrison
- 19RodrigoBooked at 64minsSubstituted forBamfordat 79'minutes
- 3Firpo
- 9Bamford
- 14Llorente
- 22Robles
- 23Sinisterra
- 24Rutter
- 25Kristensen
- 30Gelhardt
- 42Greenwood
Formation 3-5-2
1Raya
20Ajer5Pinnock16Mee
30Roerslev10Dasilva6Nørgaard8Jensen3Henry
17Toney19Mbeumo
- 1Raya
- 20Ajer
- 5Pinnock
- 16Mee
- 30Roerslev
- 10DasilvaSubstituted forJaneltat 60'minutes
- 6Nørgaard
- 8Jensen
- 3Henry
- 17ToneyBooked at 71mins
- 19MbeumoSubstituted forWissaat 74'minutesBooked at 88mins
- 2Hickey
- 9Schade
- 11Wissa
- 13M Jorgensen
- 14Ghoddos
- 22Strakosha
- 23Lewis-Potter
- 24Damsgaard
- 27Janelt
Match ends, Leeds United 0, Brentford 0.