Sammie Szmodics’s 82nd-minute winner stunned Leeds United and handed Blackburn a crucial 1-0 victory, disrupting the latest twist in the Championship promotion race. Despite dominating proceedings at Elland Road, Leeds failed to find the net for the second time this week, squandering an opportunity to move to the top of the table following Leicester’s unexpected defeat to Plymouth.
Blackburn’s goalkeeper, Aynsley Pears, showcased his prowess with several outstanding saves, frustrating Leeds’ relentless attacks. However, it was Szmodics who ultimately capitalized on a rare opening, securing his 30th goal of the season with a composed finish to dent Leeds’ promotion aspirations.
Despite the setback, Leeds United remain in third place, trailing second-placed Ipswich by a single point and leaders Leicester by just two points. Meanwhile, Blackburn’s vital victory lifts them six points clear of the relegation zone, providing a much-needed boost in their battle for survival.
Here’s a breakdown of the player performances for Leeds United in their clash with Blackburn Rovers:
Illan Meslier (Goalkeeper) – Despite a shaky moment or two, Meslier was fairly helpless for Blackburn’s winning goal and made some crucial saves. (Rating: 5)
Connor Roberts (Right-back) – Roberts delivered a solid performance, making a crucial goal-saving intervention and displaying vocal leadership on the pitch. (Rating: 7)
Joe Rodon (Centre-back) – Rodon had a steady game at the back, dealing with Blackburn’s attacks effectively, but was caught out for Blackburn’s goal. (Rating: 6)
Ethan Ampadu (Centre-back) – Ampadu put in another solid defensive display, staying alert and error-free throughout the match. (Rating: 7)
Junior Firpo (Left-back) – While Firpo provided an attacking outlet, he committed a couple of defensive errors that need improvement. (Rating: 5)
Ilia Gruev (Midfielder) – Gruev showed improvement with some important tackles and good recovery pace, contributing positively to the team. (Rating: 7)
Archie Gray (Midfielder) – Gray had a steady performance without any major errors, but didn’t influence the game significantly. (Rating: 6)
Wilfried Gnonto (Midfielder) – Gnonto was the most threatening attacker for Leeds, contributing defensively and posing a constant threat going forward. (Rating: 6)
Georginio Rutter (Forward) – Rutter had limited impact on the game, with moments of energy and creativity but lacking consistency. (Rating: 4)
Crysencio Summerville (Forward) – Summerville had a quiet game by his standards, failing to make an impact and struggling with set-pieces. (Rating: 4)
Joel Piroe (Forward) – Piroe’s performance was lackluster, failing to contribute significantly to Leeds’ attacking efforts. (Rating: 3)
Substitutes – The substitutes made minor impacts on the game, with some notable efforts but ultimately unable to change the outcome significantly. (Rating: N/A)
Despite the disappointing defeat, Leeds United will look to regroup and bounce back in their pursuit of promotion, aiming to overcome the challenges ahead in the competitive Championship race.