"Top six" - Leeds United fans on Brentford draw, 'incredible' difference and Whites 'best in class' call

Leeds United fought back after Brentford onslaught to take a 1-1 draw from Sunday’s first home of the Premier League season at Elland Road - but what did the club’s fans think? Here is what our YEP Jury had to say including a top six observation about the impressive hosts, the ‘incredible’ difference between the two teams at the break and a Whites best in class shout.

DAVID WATKINS

Despite two fine wins against Forest, I felt that the clash with the Bees would be more likely to tell us where we might be in the pecking order.

Brentford walloped an expensive Spurs side last weekend and then hammered a decent Birmingham XI in midweek, so most commentators already had them down as top six material.

For an hour against Leeds they looked the part - dominating in terms of shots and touches in the box.

Having said that, Leeds’ defence dealt with almost everything they had, and it was just one incredible improvised flick that separated the teams at the break. This display again suggests that the Leeds defence is amongst the best in class.

Going forward, we were not as strong, but we are flexible.

At the break, Daniel Farke changed the system, and Leeds gained a foothold. The second half was even, Leeds having the better chances.

Boosting the midfield halted the Bees; then introducing James and Nmecha completed the turnaround.

DCL equalised in the 75th minute, but perhaps Dan James should have scored minutes earlier.

Then again, a terrific save by James Trafford from Thiago was equally important, so, overall, it was a well-earned point against a top team.

Man of the match: James Trafford.

KEITH INGHAM

Leeds salvaged a point against a really good Brentford team in the pouring rain at Elland Road.

The visitors were ahead at the break but with just over 10 minutes to play, Lukas Nmecha found Dominic Calvert-Lewin inside the six-yard box and the number 9 didn’t miss. It was a fair result.

Daniel Farke left out new signing Harry Wilson with Noah Okafor starting on the left and Brendan Aaronson on the right behind DCL.

To be honest, Leeds were second best all over the field as on-form Brentford took the game to their hosts.

Leeds lost centre-back Joe Rodon, it looked like a hamstring injury so he may be out for a few games. The visitors took the lead four minutes before the break when Kevin Schade flicked a clever effort past James Trafford.

Leeds made two changes at the break, Ao Tanaka coming on for Brenden Aaronson and Harry Wilson replaced Jaka Bijol.

The changes made a difference with Wilson making them look better in the final third.

Dan James and Nmecha joined proceedings with 20 minutes to go.

The two substitutes combined to set up an equaliser for DCL and Leeds looked to get the winner but Brentford held out to grab a deserved draw.

Man of the match: Tarik Muharemovic.

NEIL GREWER

A point gained against a really well organised quality team.

Brentford were the better team in the first half.

Their press was impressive, forcing Leeds to play long and when Leeds did so, Bees defenders won the battles with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and their midfield controlled the game - starting wave after wave of attacks.

James Trafford made several decent saves but was only able to watch when Kevin Schade produced an amazing flick on a cross to loop the ball into the top corner of his goal. A deserved lead at the break.

At half-time, Daniel Farke made changes – changes I hoped for. Jaka Bijol was replaced by Ao Tanaka and Brenden Aaronson by (surprise exclusion) Harry Wilson.

Leeds went four at the back and bolstered their midfield and attacking options.

It brought about an immediate improvement.

Later Farke introduced Lukas Nmecha and Dan James and the pair combined In a move resulting in Nmecha crossing for DCL to tap in an equaliser.

So, Farke takes the plaudits for changing the systems and changing early and for brave substitutions.

And with few players truly impressing, this really was a hard earned point gained.

Man of the match: Lukas Nmecha.

EVAN SEAMAN

The match started with high energy at a packed-out Elland Road as both sides looked up for the fight physically with lots of niggly fouls.

After the first 15 minutes I thought that Brentford were the better team and had more shots and possession.

Brentford were rewarded for their impressive start when Kevin Schade scored a tidy finish and Leeds looked on the ropes in the first half and were struggling without defender Joe Rodon who hobbled off injured.

At half-time, Leeds made two substitutions as Harry Wilson and Ao Tanaka came on for Brendan Aaronson and Jaka Bijol to give them that extra man in midfield.

There was a controversial moment when Brentford had a penalty shout turned down in the second half as it looked like Jayden Bogle brought down Brentford’s attacker, but the referee waved it away.

Leeds continued to grow into the match the more the second half went on, and Dan James was causing problems for Brentford’s defence.

United equalised when Dominic Calvert Lewin scored a typical poacher's goal which was enough to give Leeds a deserved point.

Man of the match: Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

MIKE GILL

A turgid first half dragged by as Leeds United had no corners or long throw ins, not to mention shots on goal and they seemed to be overrun in the middle of the park and to make matters worse, centre-back Joe Rodon limped off and took no further part in the game.

When Kevin Schade’s neat little flick found the net with four minutes to the half-time break it felt that changes needed to be made as a matter of urgency.

Daniel Farke duly made the changes and the Whites instantly looked more dangerous as they struggled to get back into the game.

Dan James, Harry Wilson and Ao Tanaka were introduced as the Whites reverted to four at the back.

These changes helped the Whites to instantly raise their game and suddenly it was game on.

In the 79th minute, James slid the ball to Lucas Nmecha who crossed to Dominic Calvert-Lewin who gratefully slotted the chance home.

The noise inside Elland Road was now deafening as the Whites pursued an unlikely win.

In the end, a draw was a fair result and this was a good example of United’s never-say-die attitude.

Man of the match: Nico Elvedi.