Leeds United’s quest to claim the top spot in the Championship hit a snag, but they salvaged a late equalizer against Watford on Friday night, extending their unbeaten streak to 14 games with a hard-fought 2-2 draw at Vicarage Road.
Mateo Joseph emerged as the hero, scoring within 25 seconds of coming off the bench to secure a crucial point for the Whites, who endured a challenging first half.
Despite conceding two goals early on, Leeds found their footing in the second half, particularly after Daniel Farke reinstated the defensive partnership of Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon. Crysencio Summerville showcased his brilliance with a stunning goal, cutting inside from the left and curling the ball into the top corner.
Watford manager Tom Cleverley commended his side’s performance against a formidable Leeds team, singling out Summerville for praise and hailing him as the league’s standout player. Cleverley expressed pride in his team’s bravery in possession and intensity, acknowledging the difficulty of holding off Leeds, who possess such a potent attacking threat.
“We were the best side for 65 mins. I’m very proud of them. Brave in possession…. Playing with that much intensity its hard to hold on against a side like Leeds United who have the league’s best player in Summerville.”
Leeds missed an opportunity to capitalize on Leicester’s earlier defeat against Bristol City and seize the top spot in the table. Ipswich Town now leads the league following their 1-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers. The race for promotion remains tightly contested, with each point crucial in the battle for promotion to the Premier League.
Reflecting on the result, Farke expressed satisfaction but voiced concerns over his team’s preparation, citing limited training sessions due to the international break and key players sidelined with injuries.
However, he praised Summerville’s resurgence to top form, highlighting the winger’s pivotal contribution with 16 goals and eight assists in the Championship this season.
After a brief dip in form, Summerville delivered a moment of brilliance when Leeds needed it most, reaffirming his status as a key player for the Whites. His remarkable goal not only secured a valuable point but also reignited hopes of securing promotion to the Premier League.