It had been a game to reflect the tyranny of analytics-based football, when thought and expression are abandoned for the playbook, where set pieces rule, and long throws become key events. For Brentford’s Michael Kayode, read Leeds’ Ethan Ampadu, both taking an age before hurling the ball into a mass of bodies, and the ball being headed away.
As it stands, scoring a goal from open play remains a valid tactic, and it was from such a situation that Rico Henry set up Jordan Henderson to score his first goal in English football since December 2021, via an unfortunate deflection off the Leeds defender Jaka Bijol. In turn, Leeds found their equaliser from open play, Dominic Calvert-Lewin nodding home Wilfried Gnonto’s cross. Henry and Gnonto, both substitutes, had added a dab of quality to a previously constipated contest.
Two teams both looking over their shoulders must now look to festive fixtures to pull them away from danger. Having looked nailed on to avoid any semblance of a relegation battle, Brentford’s recent form has endangered them, the gap to Leeds at kick-off just four points, as it remained at full time.
In mid-November, Daniel Farke’s chances of making Christmas were akin to those of a prime turkey only for his team to deliver high-amped performances and four points from a daunting triple header. Had such endeavours drained Leeds? Their performance did not meet those high standards. They were immediately subjected to the aerial barrage of Kayode’s long throws and Brentford’s attempts to reach their forward line with direct, long passes. Rescuing a draw at home to Liverpool last weekend had required launching the kitchen sink at their opponents but Farke’s team are playing circumspect football in seeking safety, going against his attacking instincts. Until needs must, that is.
In the eminently forgettable early stages the clearest glimpse of an opening was Calvert-Lewin escaping the Brentford offside trap, only to find nobody in support. That the match-ball was pronounced flat served as a suitable metaphor for the entertainment levels on show.
Personal duels were stalemated, Leeds’ three-man centre-back unit ganging up on Igor Thiago, while Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor fed off meagre scraps. Low blocks ruled supreme as the midfield was packed like sardine tins. The best open-play chance of the first half came via a mistake, Vitaly Janelt inadvertently providing a through ball for Okafor. Caoimhín Kelleher was not to be beaten from such a tight angle, however.
Jordan Henderson celebrates his first goal in English football since 2021 with a tribute to Diogo Jota. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters
Controversy at least added intrigue as some Stockley Park dithering united both sets of fans in loud solidarity against video assistance as a Brentford penally was first awarded and then chalked off. Dango Ouattara, challenged by Gabriel Gudmundsson, was ruled offside. It would have been a soft penalty award in any event for the team who have received the most penalties in this season’s Premier League; Ouattara is the most prolific winner of penalties in Europe’s top five leagues. Soon after, Lucas Perri was asked to make his first genuine save, from Keane Lewis-Potter, as a wretched first half drew to its merciful end. Let us never speak of it again, though at least things could only get better.
Leeds, at least, began the second half with momentum, attacking towards their ever vocal away support, Brentford comfortable with retreating into their shell; it made for a mass of bodies in the box, and a couple of pinball sessions. Perhaps yet another free-kick could provide a breakthrough? Brentford were awarded one on the touchline after another injudicious Gudmundsson foul, and after significant delay, it was taken short, with possession conceded swiftly, to wide disquiet from the home fans.
As that happened, Keith Andrews was introducing Mikkel Damsgaard’s craft from the bench in an attempt to serve the increasingly isolated Thiago, Henry accompanying the Dane to play his key role in the winner. It left Leeds 20 minutes to find a way back, and Calvert-Lewin shaped for a header, only to misguide the flight of the ball after Gnonto and Brenden Aaronson arrived as attacking reinforcements, timely and effective arrivals.
The former England striker made no mistake from Gnonto’s cross, and he celebrated with fans who have taken his hard-work ethic to their hearts.
Neither team looked capable or willing of risking all for a winner. Ampadu fired a missile of a shot wide, and Ouattara fired over when other teammates were better set to test Perri. A point each was just what both teams deserved from a game so lacking in edge and enjoyment.
