Unfamiliar concern for Whites in Brighton loss but points in the Premier League bank - Leeds United Talking Points

Whether or not the Whites have so far exceeded expectations is open to debate. Probably.

A superb display in an opening day 4-3 loss at Liverpool that left Reds boss Jurgen Klopp mouthing ‘wow’; similar fare against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in a 1-1 draw; a 3-0 cruise at Aston Villa; Everton away; romps against Newcastle United and West Brom - the list goes on.

There were, though, always going to be big defeats and bumps in the road.

In terms of defeats, Saturday’s loss at home to Brighton proved United’s ninth from their 18 games in the Premier League so far.

Thankfully, seven wins and just two draws already has the Whites on 23 points still one game short of the halfway point of the campaign with Leeds comfortably enough placed in mid-table.

All that ultimately matters in the first season back is finishing 17th or higher and panic stations this is not.

Yet Saturday’s reverse still felt like the most worrying defeat of the season so far with, unusually, the concern arising from United’s lack of creating chances to score.

There have predominantly been two main issues when assessing United’s games so far this season - profligacy in front of goal and a leaky defence though there are mitigating circumstances with both.

In terms of the latter, United’s high press, attacking and open style of play under Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa is always going to leave Leeds vulnerable at the back, especially against teams with pace who are excellent on the counter.

Manchester United managed six with Leicester City and Crystal Palace both netting four and Tottenham Hotspur three.

Yet United’s high press, attacking and open style of play has also led to creating a huge number of chances at the other end, until now.

At their best this season, Leeds have been creating anywhere between 15 and 30 chances per game meaning that Leeds can get away with squandering the odd decent opportunity if standing firm at the other end.

Yet United managed only seven attempts at goal against Brighton with just two on target and that has to be the concern.

Perhaps even more worrying, the first of those only arrived in the 63rd minute from centre back and captain Liam Cooper via a harmless header from a Raphinha corner that Brighton keeper Robert Sanchez easily saved.

Two minutes later, Whites substitute Tyler Roberts fired in a pretty tame effort from a tight angle but Sanchez easily saved and that, in terms of attempts on target, was the best it got.

Leeds were not helped by Brighton effectively lining up with a five-man defence with three giant centre-backs flanked by two wing backs, or by the fact that Ben White excelled in the holding midfield role on his Elland Road return.

The absence of Kalvin Phillips in the same position for Leeds due to suspension was also always going to be a difficult pill to swallow.

But whilst United still had chances to score, Bielsa’s side just never really got going for what felt like the first time this season.

Rodrigo really should have put Leeds in front from Gjanni Alioski’s powerful low cross whilst Patrick Bamford also failed to connect with two decent opportunities, one with his boot and one with his head.

Jack Harrison was also a whisker away from curling an effort into the far left corner.

Yet despite Leeds having basically all of their first choice front men available, things just did not click and now Bielsa will be looking at why.

Was it Brighton finally finding the right balance after nine games without a win?

Did the absence of Phillips ultimately affect Leeds that much even in an attacking sphere?

Was it just a bad day at the office?

Thankfully, with 23 points on the board, Leeds can afford a few bad days but too many more like that will not leave the Whites mid-table for long.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-0-brighton-1-graham-smyths-player-ratings-lacklustre-elland-road-showing-3103217

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

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Thank you Laura Collins