Rewind two months, and the positivity was flowing at Leeds United. Daniel Farke had just guided Leeds to a win over Wolves before coming within an inch of beating Bournemouth at Elland Road.
Leeds had managed just one Premier League goal in their first four games before coming from behind to beat Wolves, with new signings Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Anton Stach and Noah Okafor all scoring goals.
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Then, Leeds hosted Bournemouth, and after Sean Longstaff and Joe Rodon had scored, it looked as if Leeds might secure back-to-back wins. Bournemouth scored a late equaliser, but the mood was positive.
Leeds had not only shown they could compete at the top level, but that they could score goals after initial concerns in front of goal. Dominic Calvert-Lewin said Leeds put those concerns of a lack of goals to bed.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
What Dominic Calvert-Lewin said after Leeds’ win over Wolves
Having headed home a deflected Jayden Bogle cross to score his first Leeds goal, Calvert-Lewin claimed Leeds had shown that they had enough in the final third to keep the club in the Premier League this term.
“Really enjoyed it [scoring goal]. A great day at the office. To win in the manner in which we did, getting on the scoresheet, I feel we put those ‘we don’t have enough threat on the pitch’ rumours to bed.”
Since then, Leeds have gone on a run of five defeats in six games. Daniel Farke’s future as Leeds gaffer is under intense pressure, and only five goals have been scored, failing to find the net on two occasions.
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Leeds are struggling for goals, but also struggling to offer any kind of creativity. Set-pieces remain a key tool that Leeds are taking advantage of, scoring from an attacking free-kick won by Brenden Aaronson.
That was the source of their goal against Villa, and Leeds almost equalised through Pascal Struijk, but his header was expertly saved by Emi Martinez. When it’s in open play, though, Leeds are really struggling.
Calvert-Lewin himself has been dropped with Nmecha arguably Leeds’ best player against Villa and also scoring against Forest. Chances are that Nmecha retains his place in the side against Manchester City.
For England star Calvert-Lewin, things are going from bad to worse. It was summed up when Dan James cross-or-shot could have hit any part of him before going in, only to smack against his palm.
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