Newly promoted Leeds United continued their excellent form, avoiding defeat for the second time in as many games in the Premier League. They backed up last week’s 3-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers with a 2-2 draw against high-flying Bournemouth.
It was a disappointing start for the Whites, who went a goal down in the 26th minute thanks to Antoine Semenyo. The Ghanian winger scored a fantastic low free kick to give the away side the lead at Elland Road.
Leeds, however, responded perfectly. Firstly, Joe Rodon found the back of the net, heading home a cross from Sean Longstaff 11 minutes after conceding. The Newcastle United academy star got himself on the scoresheet the other side of half-time. He met a loose ball on the half-volley and fired it home just inside the penalty area, to put Leeds ahead.
Just when it seemed like Daniel Farke’s side would hold on for all three points, 19-year-old Eli Junior Kroupi equalised for the Cherries in stoppage time. He also scored a sweetly-struck volley, getting on the end of a flick on in the penalty box after his side won a deep free kick.
Being so close to victory and ending up with just one point no doubt stung Leeds, but it was still a strong performance with some good showings. Longstaff was a real standout.
Why Sean Longstaff was the star man against Bournemouth
There was, in many ways, a lot of pressure on Longtsaff’s shoulders. He moved to Elland Road from St James’ Park with plenty of Premier League experience, and Saturday afternoon’s performance in front of the Leeds faithful feels like a real statement showing.
It was a fantastic performance from the midfielder. Partnered with Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach, he had the chance to get forwards and look to affect the game in advanced areas. With his goal and assist, it is fair to say he did just that. His strike, a fantastic volley, was one of great skill and technique.
What really stood out about the 27-year-old’s performance at Elland Road was the sheer number of chances he created. Longstaff played seven key passes and created one big chance. Off the ball, he was superb, winning 10 from 13 duels.
The Yorkshire Post journalist Leon Wobschall was full of praise for the new Leeds man. He gave Longstaff a 9/10 for his efforts, describing his afternoon’s work as a “stellar all-round midfield performance.”
However, Longstaff was not the only standout player, with another of Daniel Farke’s players performing particularly well.
The Leeds star who is completely undroppable
It was so close to being the perfect day for Leeds. The Whites were ruthless in attack, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin a good focal point, and also defended resiliently. One of those defensive players made a huge impression.
Keeping Semenyo and his fellow attacker quiet from open play was never going to be easy. However, Leeds right-back Jayden Bogle dealt with the Cherries’ creative players in impressive fashion and should now be considered completely undroppable.
The defender was up and down the right flank, creating one chance. But it was defensively that he really stood out. Bogle won five out of six tackles and seven out of nine ground duels, locking down that right-hand side.
Touches
46
Pass accuracy
79%
Ground duels won
7/9
Tackles won
5/6
Clearances
3
Interceptions
2
Key passes
1
Wobschall was certainly left impressed with the 25-year-old’s day at the office. He gave him a 7/10 for the work he put in, and said Bogle “should have been happy with his afternoon”, given how well he defended.
After a performance like that, it is hard to see how Farke drops Bogle from the starting lineup. He certainly made a significant impact in their point against a strong Bournemouth side, and has surely made himself undroppable.
It was an encouraging performance from Bogle. To keep an attacker as deadly as Semenyo quite like he did is no mean feat. He has surely made that right-back spot his own after a showing as strong as that.