Leeds United got back on track in the Premier League on Saturday, recording a huge win over Marco Silva’s Fulham. The Whites bounced back from their loss to Newcastle United over a week ago.
Leeds started the year on the right note with results against Liverpool and Manchester United. Then the loss against the Magpies came; but the team got back to their winning ways in the FA Cup against Derby County.
Going into Saturday, the feeling was that it was going to be a hotly contested clash between both sides. Their first meeting in London this season was only decided by a late own goal from Gabriel Gudmundsson. But going into Saturday’s game, even Marco Silva acknowledged that the game would be much different comparing where the two teams are at this stage of the campaign.
Leeds United boss makes shock claim after huge win
On Saturday, the game was tense and both sides did not let up for most of the 90 minutes. It was not really end-to-end but each side played to win. Leeds dominated most of the proceedings, creating most of the big chances in the game. Fulham only managed to keep themselves in the tie because of poor finishing. But the away side were undone by a late goal by Lukas Nmecha at the end.
Speaking post-match, Daniel Farke made a statement that surprised many fans:
“I think Jayden Bogle played well today, Ilia Gruev was excellent again, but then to take them off and to bring Lukas Nmecha, a striker and Ao Tanaka, a more offensive-minded midfielder, on was a bit risky because we didn’t want to give this one point away, but the feeling was no, we want to go for it.”
Ilia Gruev had a mixed game
The Bulgarian made just his eighth start in the league against Fulham on Saturday. And his performance was really nothing to write home about. Home fans even complained that he should have been taken off early, but he lasted 81 minutes before he was taken off.
Despite the criticism of his game from Leeds fans, he did his job in midfield. Kept things ticking and got stuck in the challenges. Gruev misplaced a few passes, but overall he was a safe option on the ball for the team. Farke’s assessment might differ a bit from what the fans think, but overall the midfielder had a decent performance.
READ MORE: ‘In my opinion…’ – Marco Silva makes honest Leeds United admission ahead of Fulham clash
