Leeds United were denied a second consecutive win of the season as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Southampton. The Whites were two goals to the good on the hour mark thanks to a brace from Rodrigo Moreno.
Jesse Marsch’s side were forced to settle for a point, though, as Joe Aribo and Kyle Walker-Peters scored in the final 20 minutes to end Leeds’ 100% start to the season. Here is how the national media reported the game.
‘Relieved to head home with a point’
Adrian Kajumba of the Daily Mail said: “Hasenuhuttl instantly turned to Adam Armstrong and Aribo, bringing them on for the ineffective Stuart Armstrong and Mohamed Elyounoussi. Very quickly Aribo, in particular, impacted the game, forcing Meslier into one save from a header and Struijk into a last-ditch challenge.
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“With his next attempt. He eventually made it count to set up a frantic finish. Che Adams sent Adam Armstrong racing down the left with a clever touch and his cross eventually ran all the way to Aribo at the backpost.
“He looked to have spurned the opportunity when he rounded Illan Meslier, allowing Leeds to get defenders back on the line. But, with the odds now against him, he managed to fire off a shot that squeezed into the far corner. Game on.
“And comeback complete when Walker-Peters latched onto Mara’s pass to slide the equaliser past Meslier. Leeds had struggled to cope with Southampton and create much after going 2-0 up though had a chance to nick it at the death when Rodrigo let fly and stung Bazunu’s palms.
“But, from their position of comfort with almost 20 minutes left, they might have ended the game relieved to head home with a point.”
‘Leeds were rattled’
Simon Mail of the Guardian said: “Aribo’s introduction, aside from his goal, sparked Southampton into life and suddenly Leeds seemed keen to slow the game down.
“But Southampton’s momentum was too much for their opponents to handle and the equaliser arrived in the 81st minute. Sékou Mara, making a significant impact on his debut from off the bench, played an incisive pass through to Walker-Peters and he drilled the ball past Meslier to the delight of the home fans.
“Leeds were rattled and Mara stung the fingertips of Meslier as Southampton pushed for an unlikely winner. Marsch steered Leeds to safety after a dramatic final day of last season at Brentford but his hopes are much higher now despite their late setback.
“‘We’re disappointed,” he said. “It’s a terrible feeling to play so well and walk away with what feels less than one point.
‘”When you remove the emotion then you see clearly we’re making progress as a team.’”
‘Denied their best Premier League start for 20 years’
Graham Nickless of the Sun said: “KYLE WALKER-PETERS took the knives out of gaffer Ralph Hasenhuttl’s back with a dramatic equaliser against Leeds.
“Two-goal Leeds ace Rodrigo looked set to heap more misery on Saints' under-fire boss.
“The Spaniard beat home goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu with a deft flick from Jack Harrison’s exquisite near post cross just 33 seconds into the second half.
“And a simple header on the line on the hour from Harrison’s corner tightened the noose around Hasenhuttl’s neck.
“The Saints were staring at a club equalling record six defeats in a row with rumours that the manager had lost the dressing room which hardly helps.
“But Leeds, who lost captain Patrick Bamford to an early leg injury, were denied their best Premier League start for 20 years by winning two games in a row.”
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