Leeds United v Portsmouth
Saturday 10th August 2024 - Elland Road, Leeds
2024/25 Season
Team: Meslier, Ampadu (c), Bogle, Rodon, Firpo, Gnonto, James, Gruev, Rutter, Joseph, Struijk
Subs: Cairns, Aaronson, Darlow, Gelhardt, Byram, Crew, Wöber
Leeds drew the game 3-3 with our goals scored by Struijk (penalty 10), Gnonto (46), Aaronson (90)
Attendance: 36,432 with approx. 2,800 Portsmouth fans
Referee: Oliver Langford
Booked: Rodon, Struijk
The first game of the new EFL Championship season was upon us before we knew it. It doesn’t seem two minutes since we were at Wembley watching us once again lose in a play off final but once it was over, I felt like I’d been hit with a sledgehammer so was ready for a rest. Then Leeds selling Archie Gray and telling us that fans would not be welcome on the preseason tour to Germany sent me into a downward spiral. Sadly, all that paled into insignificance when my baby granddaughter was hospitalised for days three times over a five-week period. Thankfully her infection levels are back to normal and if we hadn’t seen enough of Calderdale Royal, I spent Tuesday night there with my husband in a and e and we’ve had another trip there on my return from Elland Road today. It never rains but it pours (as it did during the game today), but it would be so nice to have some normality in our lives for once.
Leeds came out on fire at the start, with constant attacking and hitting the woodwork three times in front of the south stand. Gnonto’s shot deflecting for a corner, Ampadu’s header hitting the bar, then Firpo’s shot saved by the keeper. Another free kick saw a great shot from Gruev that hit the top corner before Leeds took the lead when they were awarded a penalty after James was brought down in the area. With Summerville now gone and Piroe on the bench, we were wondering who our penalty taker would be. When Struijk stepped forward, it wasn’t a surprise to see him take it as he had looked very composed last season when we had to rely on penalties. Our pressing football either took its toll or we eased off, but it put Portsmouth back into the game. Their player turned in space, but Leeds cleared the ball only to see them put another pass straight back and Portsmouth put the ball into the net past Meslier to equalise. Joseph nearly had his shorts pulled off him as he got the better of the Portsmouth player before Gnonto saw the keeper pull off a great save to stop us getting a second goal. Portsmouth then won a free kick far out from goal which Rodon headed out from the area. The ball was picked up by their player who skipped to the right unleashing a long range shot that went into the net putting them into the lead just before the break.
At half time the discussion was that we would see what sort of response the team had for the second half. We were at the top of the steps and couldn’t see a thing as Leeds got off to a fantastic start when Gnonto hit a low shot that went into the net to equalise. There were no celebrations as the team wanted to get straight on with the game. Joseph brought a great save out of their keeper before Bogle brought their player down in front of the south stand and the referee awarded Portsmouth a penalty. They duly scored to take the lead again sending Meslier the wrong way, but sadly, at that time, I could see that coming. What I didn’t expect now was us to equalise when Piroe picked up the ball outside the area, passed to Aaronson on the edge of the box who stepped to one side and seemingly rolled the ball into the net to equalise once again. The drama wasn’t over there as Leeds should have won the game at the death when Aaronson in an even better position than the one, he scored from, put the ball wide.
The positives are that we did not get beat and got a point, playing some great attacking football. The negatives are that when we switched off, Portsmouth scored with ease. It’s very early days obviously and I will always make my observations by what I see on the pitch. Middlesbrough on Wednesday night beckons for the League Cup game the result which will be decided on the night.
See you there. LUFC – Marching on Together!