Leeds United

Leeds United

Championship

Super-sub helps Leeds grab late draw, but Raphinha limps off for hosts

Pascal Struijk Joao Moutinho Leeds Wolves October 2021

Rodrigo scored a stoppage-time penalty as Leeds earned a 1-1 draw with Wolves at Elland Road, but the hosts saw star striker Raphinha limp off early in the second half.

Hwang Hee-Chan’s tap in after just 10 minutes looked to have given Wolves all three points before, Leeds, inspired by sub Joe Gelhardt grabbed a late leveller.

But worryingly for Leeds is the potential absence of Brazil international Raphinha, who was clattered by Romain Saiss in the second half.

Bielsa made just one change for Leeds.

Brazil winger Raphinha returned in place of Tyler Roberts, but otherwise the starting line-up is the same as it was in last week’s defeat at Southampton.

Kalvin Phillips, Patrick Bamford, Junior Firpo, Luke Ayling and Robin Koch were all still missing.

Wolves made two changes with Raul Jimenez and Rayan Ait-Nouri in for Ruben Neves and Marcal.

Hee-Chan broke the deadlock for the visitors against the run of play. Leeds had done all the pressing, but Hee-Chan tapped home from close range after Raul Jimenez saw a shot blocked inside the box.

Adama Traore’s looping cross into the box was then headed over by Max Kilman.

Leeds though threatened themselves on 26 minutes. Wolves lost possession in the middle of the pitch and Leeds countered quickly with Raphinha releasing Jack Harrison down the left wing. Harrison then powered a shot towards the top left corner, but it just flew wide.

Raphinha then set up Rodrigo in the box with a good ball over the top of the Wolves defence, but the striker could not control it.

Jamie Shackleton then had a shout for a penalty after a battle with Ait Nouri in the box. Nouri looked to time his challenge well though and the appeals were waved away.

Raphinha was Leeds’ biggest threat and he volleyed wide early in the second half as Leeds looked to up the tempo.

Nouri then raced into the penalty area after taking the ball from Raphinha, but Illan Meslier blocked his angled shot at the near post

Raphinha (56) was then forced off after a poor challenge by Saiss.

The Brazilian looked in significant pain as he was helped down the tunnel. Saiss caught the Brazilian’s trailing leg as he slid in  and was lucky to escape with a yellow card.

Crysencio Summerville, 19, replaced him.

But 10 minutes later Leeds were almost level. Dan James cut inside from the left wing and whipped in a cross for Summerville at the far post. Saiss though just glanced the ball away for a corner.

Pascal Struijk then headed a Stuart Dallas cross straight at Jose Sa. And on 79 minutes Sa again denied Leeds an equaliser.


Subscribe for free to TEAMtalk’s daily newsletter…


Late penalty

Wolves lost the ball inside their own half and sub Joe Gelhardt powered a shot towards goal, but Sa just managed to tip the ball over the bar.

Gelhardt fired an effort over the crossbar after a long ball from Dallas.

 

But just as though it looked like Wolves would march away with an undeserved sixth successive win, Leeds won a penalty.

Gelhardt raced past a couple of Wolves defenders into the box in stoppage time and Nelson Semedo stepped across him and pushed him to the ground.

The referee pointed to the spot and Rodrigo converted to grab the hosts a point.

READ MORE: Wolves boss Lage lauds ‘real gentleman’ Bielsa; explains how Leeds can be beaten