Leeds United 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
In only three of the 29 seasons in the history of the Premier League have both these great traditional English clubs graced it.
For Leeds United (the last winners of the old First Division before the PL era began) and Wolverhampton Wanderers (three times champions of England) have experienced more tough times than most.
Yet they are now back where their followers believe they firmly belong and, as I was following this encounter – always entertaining although lacking too many Premier League highlights – my thoughts regularly went back to my favourite teacher.
JJ (his initials) passed away this week but I will always fondly remember him.
That is for many reasons, some of which have no relevance to football, but one always did: his passion for Wolves.
I can still vividly recall the tales he told me as a schoolboy about the great Wolverhampton sides managed by the great Stan Cullis.
He spoke about them passionately and with a twinkle in his eye; glory days for this great historical institution from the Midlands and memories which had clearly left an inedible mark on him as a youngster and which he regaled to me more than 30 years ago.
I have never forgotten and, after making contact with him again for the first time in decades this summer, conversations often went back to his passion for the Wanderers.
What he would have made of this 1-1 draw – hopefully from the best seat in the house – I can only imagine.
In fact, he would probably have been bloody miffed at seeing his side concede so late on!
Yet he would, no doubt, have also been content to know his side had come away from Elland Road with a point which continues the re-emergence of his beloved football club as a top-flight regular.
JJ – a fine teacher, an even better man and a true Wolverhampton Wanderers fan: this one’s for you!
Highlights of the game
The depth of Leeds’ squad is being sorely tested. Last week they lost to Southampton, who became the first team this season to outrun and outfight Marcelo Bielsa’s side, and again today they had to cope without several key players.
He made one change from their 1-0 defeat to the Saints, a match the talented Raphinha missed because of Brazil’s World Cup qualifiers but now was back in the starting XI at the expense of young Tyler Roberts.
England international Kalvin Phillips was named on the bench following a calf injury, but Luke Ayling, Patrick Bamford, Junior Firpo and Robin Koch all remained absent.
For Wolves, boss Bruno Lage brought in Raul Jimenez – a substitute last weekend due to his exploits with the Mexican national team – and Rayan Ait-Nouri (replacing Ruben Neves and Marcal) from their 3-2 win over Aston Villa.
Neves was among the substitutes, as was the returning Francisco Trincaowho had completed his Covid-19 isolation period.
Willy Boly missed out, however, following a bout of sickness.
As usual since their return this season, the home fans were in good voice – but their team weren’t.
And it only took 10 minutes before the majority inside Elland Road were silenced as Wolves, looking to win four consecutive top-flight games for the first time since January 1972, took the lead.
Nelson Semedo dispossessed the dithering Jack Harrison and his cross was scuffed goalwards by Jimenez straight into the path of Hwang Hee-Chan.
He may only be on loan from RB Leipzig, but the Korean has made a very positive impression and here he was again, sweeping in his fourth goal in six games.
He is fast emerging as one of the early season unsung heroes.
As has been so often the case of late, the best moments Leeds created were down to the talisman Raphinha and he rifled a low shot at Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa before displaying his fancy footwork only to curl the ball narrowly beyond the left-hand post.
At half-time, Bielsa – described as a ‘gentleman’ by his compatriot – had clearly seen enough and replaced Harrison with Roberts but it altered little.
Indeed, but for home custodian IllanMeslier, Rayan Ait Nouri would have doubled the lead from a difficult angle.
The hosts’ hopes were significantly damaged nine minutes after the restart when Raphinha was caught by Romain Saiss and unable to continue.
Bielsa used that enforced change to bring on the first of two youngsters and it was the latter substitution, Joe Gelhardt, who went closest to equalising when the teenager saw a powerful shot tipped over by Sa.
Just when it looked like time had run out, the board showed six minutes of stoppage time and, when the lively Gelhardt was brought down, up stepped club record signing Rodrigo (who is yet to fully shine in England) to send the home fans into raptures and earn a point.
The SBOTOP Premier League betting odds paid out on a draw and two traditionalists shared the spoils.
Key statistics
Hee-Chan has scored four goals from four shots on target in the Premier League, the best such 100% record so far this term.
Wolves have not lost any of their past 37 Premier League games when they have gone ahead, winning 31 of them.
Until today, Wolves had defeated Leeds in five consecutive league matches.
Lage’s side have won five of their past six league matches, compared to three victories in their previous 16 attempts.
Leeds have one win in nine league games this season, their fewest at this stage of a top-flight campaign for 40 years.
Only two of Wolves’ nine league goals this season were scored in the first half. Since returning to the top flight in 2018, they have failed to score before half-time in 88 of their 123 fixtures.
What’s next?
It’s back-to-back away trips now for Leeds who are at Arsenal in the League Cup on Tuesday night before travelling to rock bottom Norwich City next Sunday (October 31).
Wolves have a nine-day break before hosting Everton at Molineux on November 1.
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