Report: Leeds United 2-2 AFC Bournemouth | OneFootball

Premier League

Leeds United 2 (Rodon 37’, Longstaff 54’)

AFC Bournemouth 2 (Semenyo 26’, Kroupi 90’)

Leeds: Darlow (GK), Bogle, Gudmundsson, Ampadu (C), Struijk, Rodon, Longstaff, Calvert-Lewin (Nmecha 90’), Aaronson (Tanaka 87’), Stach, Okafor (Harrison 67’). Subs not used: Meslier (GK), James, Piroe, Bijol, Justin, Gruev.

Bournemouth: Petrovic (GK), Truffert, Senesi, Evanilson, Christie (C) (Scott 60’), Adams (Kroupi 81’), Diakité, Kluivert (Tavernier 60’), Jimenez Sanchez (Gannon-Doak 73’), Adli (Brooks 60’), Semenyo. Subs not used: Dennis (GK), Soler, Hill, Milosavljevic.

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 36,574

Referee: Michael Oliver

Booked: Aaronson, Ampadu (Leeds) Jimenez Sanchez (Bournemouth)

Leeds United were cruelly denied all three points against AFC Bournemouth as the visitors equalised deep into injury time in West Yorkshire.

Ahead of the clash, Elland Road came together to welcome a true legendary figure of Leeds United history home, as iconic midfielder Johnny Giles received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his stellar services to the club throughout his career.

Daniel Farke named an unchanged side from last weekend’s victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molinuex with the Whites looking to continue their encouraging start to the new campaign.

The hosts began the encounter on the front foot and went close to taking the lead inside the opening few seconds as striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin raced through after latching onto Sean Longstaff’s inventive chipped pass over the top.

Under pressure from a retreating red and black shirt, the England international forced a fine save from Djordje Petrovic in the Cherries’ goal.

The visitors quickly sent a timely reminder of their quality going forward as they worked a clever corner kick routine to the edge of the area, though skipper Ryan Christie lashed a wild effort over the upright.

Petrovic then made a string of impressive interventions for Bournemouth to deny the Whites the lead, beginning with a fine reaction stop to tip Calvert-Lewin’s close-range attempt away.

The Whites recycled possession and a deep cross was met by the onrushing Brenden Aaronson. The Cherries’ keeper clutched the American’s header gratefully and was again called into action moments later to gather Calvert-Lewin’s looping effort.

Approaching the half-hour mark and the away side took the lead courtesy of Antoine Semenyo’s powerful low free kick from the edge of the area.

Farke’s side responded brightly to the setback and levelled proceedings with just under 10 minutes of the first half remaining through Joe Rodon!

Doing brilliantly to lose his marker, the Wales international rose highest to meet Sean Longstaff’s inviting out-swinging cross and powered a fierce header beyond Petrovic and into the back of the net.

Keen to take advantage of the change in momentum before the break, a darting run by Noah Okafor saw the attacker twist and turn his way into the area, only to be dispossessed by a last-ditch challenge from the retreating Alejandro Jimenez Sanchez.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 1-1 AFC Bournemouth

Both teams emerged from the interval unchanged, looking to take the lead in what was a fast-paced and frantic affair at Elland Road.

Excellent tenacity and pressing deep into Bournemouth territory presented an opportunity for Aaronson, seeing a right-footed drive charged down importantly by a black and red shirt.

From the resulting corner, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Okafor did brilliantly to maintain possession on the flank as the Whites recycled the ball before the Swiss international found Aaronson in the middle.

The American’s powerful first-time short deflected off a Cherries defender and into the path of Longstaff who unleashed a fizzing half-volley that rattled the inside of the woodwork and nestled in the back of the net!

As had combined for the Leeds equaliser, Longstaff and Rodon were nearly architects of a quick-fire third when the defender was again involved attacking a set-piece, though Petrovic reacted quickly to smother.

The stopper’s busy afternoon continued with 20 minutes of normal time remaining, diving at full-stretch to tip substitute Jack Harrison’s speculative drive away from under the crossbar.

Pascal Struijk was next to go close, again latching onto a superb Longstaff delivery, glancing a header over the upright. Shortly afterwards, a second change from the dugout introduced Ao Tanaka into the action, replacing the hard-working Aaronson.

As the board went up to signal five minutes of additional time, Longstaff’s excellent afternoon continued as the midfielder made a crucial goal-saving clearance to divert Evanilson’s close-range header away from danger.

The visitors weren’t to be denied a cruel equaliser, however, as Eli Kroupi found space at the back post to volley home a last-gasp leveller.

FULL TIME: Leeds United 2-2 AFC Bournemouth