Leeds United 1-1 Brentford: Elland Road attendance 35,974
It was honours even at Elland Road after an absorbingly full-blooded affair powered by commitment and intent, yet only flickered intermittently with flair.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s late equaliser cancelled out Kevin Schade’s first half opener for the Bees, as both sides emerged with a point apiece in front of 35,974 fans on Sunday afternoon.
Jaidon Anthony and Mikkel Damsgaard both started for Brentford, as boss Keith Andrews made two changes from their superb 3-0 win over Spurs last time out, with Anthony drafted on the right wing for Dango Ouattara, while Damsgaard replaced Mathias Jensen in midfield. New £40m signing from West Ham, El Hadji Malick Diouf started on the bench.
After a shapeless start, Mikel Damsgard tested James Trafford in the 13th minute, with the £45m arrival from Manchester City proving equal to the task.
As the Bank Holiday rain started to sheet down in this corner of West Yorkshire, Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu attempted an audacious half volley from outside the area on the greasy surface, but the ball flew wide.
As the first half edged to a close after an opening 45 minutes full of endeavour, if not end product, Schade’s deft touch from Keane Lewis-Potter’s cross put the Bees 1-0 in front four minutes before the interval.
Before kick-off Farke had made a big call, with a single change from Leeds opening day 1-0 win victory Nottingham Forest, ensuring he preferred Noah Okafor to summer arrival from Fulham, as Harry Wilson dropped to the bench, despite his impressive scoring record against Brentford.
Realising the error of his ways as his team went into the break to a resounding chorus of boos from the disgruntled home support at 1-0 down, Farke replaced the underperforming Brenden Aaronson with the 29-year-old Wilson after the break. Or perhaps it was the 29-year-old’s four league goals in his last four games in Fulham colours against the Bees – the Cottagers’ west London rivals – that prompted the switch. Whatever the reason, the Welsh’ international’s introduction from the bench was the catalyst for early Leeds pressure following the restart. Not least when James Justin’s drilled low shot forcing Trafford into a save.
Andrews Brentford side are as resilient as they are hard-working and refused to be bowed for long, Damsgaard’s looping header that angled over Trafford’s bar indication the Bees were intent on taking all three points from such a challenging citadel.
The visitors should also have been awarded a penalty on 67 minutes, when Schade was felled by a careless Jayden Bogle on the edge of the area. Contact was clear and inside the box, but while referee Tony Harrington chose not to give a spot-kick, VAR inexplicably failed to ask the official to think again.
Shortly afterwards, Leeds swept forward only for Daniel James to clip the ball over the onrushing Caoimhin Kelleher and the bar, following a swift break from the home side.
However, just as Andrews side appeared to be making it two league wins from two, Calvert-Lewin slotted home from close range after a flowing move from the home side to equalise on 79 minutes. The striker capitalising on colleague Lukas Nmecha’s sharp footwork and anticipation on turning the ball into the No9’s path.
Amid the raucous atmosphere, as Farke’s side strove for a winner buoyed by their passionate support, Calvert-Lewin could and should have put Leeds ahead with six minutes remaining, but Kelleher spread himself to block the striker’s effort, as both sides took a point apiece.
