It had been a game to reflect the tyranny of analytics-based football, when thought and expression are abandoned for the playbook, where set pieces rule, and long throws become key events. For Brentford’s Michael Kayode, read Leeds’ Ethan Ampadu, both taking an age before hurling the ball into a mass of bodies, and the ball being headed away.
As it stands, scoring a goal from open play remains a valid tactic, and it was from such a situation that Rico Henry set up Jordan Henderson to score his first goal in English football since 2021, via an unfortunate deflection off the Leeds defender Jaka Bijol. In turn, Leeds found their equaliser from open play, Dominic Calvert-Lewin nodding home Wilfried Gnonto’s cross. Henry and Gnonto, both substitutes, had added a dab of quality to a previously constipated contest.
Jordan Henderson's reaction
I thought it was a good game. Leeds are a good side and their formation made it difficult to break them down. We weren’t at our best in the first half but we still had a lot of the ball and created one or two chances. Then second half we got the goal and once we go 1-0 up we’d be disappointed not to keep a clean sheet.
[On paying tribute to Diogo Jota with his celebration] I don’t score many goals so I always thought that when I did, I’d dedicate it to him. It was his birthday recently and we’ll never forget him. He was a good friend and I can only imagine what the lads at Liverpool are going through.
[On his form since joining Brentford] I feel pretty good. Physically I feel very good and it’s nice to be back in the Premier League. So, yeah: head down, try to work hard and do my best to help the team pick up as many points as possible.
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