Here are our five talking points from Leeds United's 3-3 draw with Portsmouth at Elland Road in the Championship as the hosts have to fight back for a draw against newly-promoted opposition
When Daniel Farke said Saturday’s opening 20 minutes was possibly the best he has seen at Elland Road, there wasn’t too much disagreement from the watching press. Hitting the crossbar three times in the first seven minutes of the season is not a bad way to set the tone for the subsequent nine months.
There was not a huge amount of adversity to weather through their friendlies and then as soon as they got hit in the mouth by Portsmouth, Leeds seemed to retreat into their shell. They almost couldn’t believe they had been that dominant and seen their visitors pull level within 25 minutes, let alone lead before half-time.
On day one of the new season, those concerns were hard to ignore. Part of the shock of Sorensen’s goal was the ease at which the ball flew through Meslier’s hands. It was not an effort arrowed into the bottom corner, it was eminently saveable. He was then missing in action as Sorensen was found in space, where Bogle should have been, to fire past Meslier. The late penalty decision is unforgivable too. Once Christian Saydee takes their wrestling match into the box, Bogle has to back off, not have his arms across the striker’s shoulders.
Then, without any suggestion in his prior play he was cooking something up, Aaronson made himself the hero. The first touch and shift of his bodyweight, before steering the ball home, were excellent. He even avoided the mistake of celebrating like he had won the World Cup when they were still only on course to draw with a newly-promoted side at home.
Struijk does have history, though. It is technically two goals in two games for the Dutchman. He scored from the spot in his last competitive appearance for the Whites too, last Boxing Day’s loss at Preston North End. And yet, as ever, the Championship ensures nothing is guaranteed. It makes your eyes water when you consider the sheer volume of accumulators torn to shreds by United’s failure to win on the opening day. Bookmakers could be heard celebrating across the world when Aaronson missed his 98th-minute chance to win the game.
Championship Illan Meslier Joe Rodon Jayden Bogle Pascal Struijk
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