Kyle Newbould: Leeds United’s 1-1 at Brighton signals last season’s nadir is behind them | OneFootball

Leeds United stretched their unbeaten run to four across all competitions with a 1-1 draw at Brighton. Jayden Bogle struck early, Luka Vuskovic headed a second-half equaliser. They remain in the top half.

Farke’s side started fast, Bogle scoring on 15 minutes, and Ao Tanaka had a second chalked off for offside after the break. According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Leeds then withstood pressure and defended stoutly to take a point.

In defence, Joe Rodon’s injury prompted reshuffle, Gabriel Gudmundsson returned and James Justin moved into the back three. Nico Elvedi was preferred to vice-captain Jaka Bijol and looked assured, strong in the air and tidy in possession. Farke said Elvedi’s sharper recent cup displays edged selection while stressing Bijol’s importance.

Trafford’s calm presence told, with clean handling and parries steered clear of danger. That reliability lifts those in front after past nervy spells. It would be interesting to see how many points he might be worth over a season.

Last year’s Amex defeat, followed by a 3-1 loss at Nottingham Forest, felt like the nadir. This time the Amex and the City Ground again opened the road schedule, and both performance and result were improved. Leeds are only one point better off than after three league games last season, one of those at eventual champions Arsenal, yet they feel a different proposition.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

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