Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Credits: BBC Sport)
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s second-half equaliser earned Leeds United a deserved point at Elland Road, holding Manchester United to a 1-1 draw and extending the Red Devils’ winless run to six games in all competitions — their longest such sequence since the end of the 2018-19 campaign.
Manchester United arrived at Elland Road after a turbulent week that included a 2-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and defender Lisandro Martinez being fined after publicly criticising the club’s hierarchy. For 45 minutes they looked like getting the result that would change the conversation.
Mbeumo Strikes First
United made the brighter start and deservedly went ahead in the 35th minute when Bryan Mbeumo finished from the centre of the box, sliding in to meet a superb cross from Youri Tielemans. It was the forward’s fourth goal of the season, and it came after he had headed wide from an unmarked position just eight minutes earlier.
There was a feisty edge to the opening period. Bruno Fernandes was booked for a late challenge, while Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu earned an early talking-to from referee Darren England on his 100th appearance as Leeds captain.
Calvert-Lewin Pounces After the Break
Leeds came roaring back after the restart. Just six minutes into the second half, Tarik Muharemovic won the initial contact at a corner, and Calvert-Lewin reacted quicker than anyone to the loose ball, lashing it home from close range to level at 1-1.
With the home crowd reinvigorated, both teams searched for a winner. Fernandes pulled an effort wide, while Anton Stach failed to keep a first-time strike down. Neither side could find the decisive finish, and Leeds’ 24-year wait for a first home victory over Manchester United at Elland Road continues.
United’s Worst Start Since 1986/87
The result leaves Michael Carrick’s side 13th on seven points with just one win from their opening seven Premier League matches — representing United’s worst start to a season since 1986/87. Calvert-Lewin believed it could have been worse: “We were unlucky not to win the game,” he told Sky Sports. “They tried to match us up formation-wise… it was more down to us and maybe a lack of quality in the final third.”
Leeds sit seventh on 10 points, three ahead of their fierce rivals, as Carrick’s search for a league victory continues.
Also Read: Noni Madueke’s Late Deflected Strike Enough as Arsenal Edge Out Nottingham Forest 1-0
Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
