Leeds United twice got here from behind yesterday to assert an important level in opposition to Brighton and Hove Albion, and whereas the present was stolen by Jack Harrison and Patrick Bamford, Luke Ayling stood out for all of the improper causes.
The 2 strikers lastly appeared to point out glimpses of a return to their high kind and regardless of the previous hitting his personal web at one level, they performed their half in halting the marauding Seagulls who had appeared unstoppable beneath Roberto De Zerbi.
The Italian has fitted into their system with ease since taking on from Graham Potter, and continues to make use of a few of his lesser-known skills to shock the Premier League.
Yesterday marked one other implausible show from Kaoru Mitoma particularly, who terrorized the aforementioned right-back together with his tempo and trickery.
It was at all times going to be a troublesome sport for the getting older talisman, however the Japan worldwide was relentless in his need to put on him down. As such, it may very well be a warning signal for Javi Gracia to maybe now flip to Rasmus Kristensen for future matches when defending in opposition to wings of Mitoma’s ilk.
How did Luke Ayling play in opposition to Brighton?
The 31-year-old’s 6.3 score was the second-worst of anybody on the pitch as he was dribbled previous twice and received simply two of his seven contested duels, with the total sport and crew captain. Sofacore).
Will Ayling now be launched?
In the meantime, Mitoma was recording three key passes and created two nice possibilities, performs a giant half in each objectives.
First he peeled off on the again put up as his header discovered the free man within the field, whereas the second he drove to the skin and his devastating supply might solely be slotted into Leeds’ personal web.
Journalist Graham Smyth even took to Twitter to focus on a selected interval of play, the place he created one of many earlier possibilities that in all probability ought to have been made: “Brighton must be forward once more. Mitoma in behind Ayling, left him for lifeless, pulls it again and Mac Allister side-foots vast from close to the penalty spot . Golden alternative.”
Whereas Mitoma will terrorize many defenders, maybe this explicit outing has proven Gracia that Ayling will not be the person to guide them into the run.
His performances on the finish of final season serve to again this up after his slightly ridiculous purple card in opposition to Arsenal.
£20k per week steadfastness was proven yesterday by a high striker, and it might now pave the best way for Kristensen to lastly get his likelihood beneath the brand new boss.
