off-kilter attack, who didn’t work the goalkeeper nearly enough for the threatening positions they found themselves in, with
Joel Piroe
and
Brenden Aaronson
missing several good chances.
Mustapha Bundu proved to be a problem and moments after hitting the post, he charged through the defence again to set up an unfortunate own-goal for Sam Byram.
Leeds went in at the break behind and desperately needed to wake up in the second half and the response was immediate, with
Willy Gnonto
smashing in the leveller from close range.
The Whites huffed and puffed as the clock ticked down, with Burnley taking the lead against Millwall to put them top of the Championship table.
Just when it seemed like the title had slipped through their fingers, Manor Solomon popped up to find a sensational winner. Cue incredible scenes.
Here’s how the players rated.
Leeds United stats this season:
Top goal scorers, assists, appearances, cards, results and fixtures in 2024/25
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Karl Darlow – 6
Not given much to do but this was his shakiest display since coming into the side bar far. He was indecisive and ill-timed coming off his line, with one missed catch leading to a dangerous scramble in the box.
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Jayden Bogle – 6.5
Far from his best day in the office.
Jayden Bogle
was as threatening as usual with dangerous work down the right but was caught far up the field on several occasions, which Plymouth exploited for their goal. Bundu had some joy against him.
Joe Rodon – 6
Taken to the cleaners by Bundu for the goal as he left in a lazy challenge and wasn’t as solid as usual at the back. Still good on the ball, though, and set up one great chance with a lovely lofted ball.
Ethan Ampadu – 8
Leeds’ best performer in the first half and that’s not even faint praise. He kept his composure when others didn’t to offer some classy defending against a physical side and looked to push forward out of the back to get the team going.
Sam Byram – 6
In for the injured
Junior Firpo
and it continues to be blatantly obvious how much Leeds struggle without their first-choice left-back. Unlucky to score an own goal as the ball bounced off the post and in off him. Worked hard down the left and a threat at set pieces but to little effect.
Ao Tanaka – 4
Good at winning the ball back but this was a regression on the ball after Monday’s great display.
Ao Tanaka
was sloppy in possession and conceded one dangerous chance after losing the ball.
Decision-making was poor by playing some wrong passes and desperately shooting from outside the box when he shouldn’t have done. A few good chances evaded him, too.
Ilia Gruev – 5
Displayed a lovely range of short and long passing at times but it was his one poor ball that was cut out to launch Plymouth’s counter for the opening goal. A quiet game.
Willy Gnonto – 7
After letting a couple of chances pass him by in the first half, Gnonto showed great attacking instincts to get in the right place to blast the equaliser in.
Thought he’d set up Piroe to score but was flagged for offside in a contentious decision.
Brenden Aaronson – 3
You’d be forgiven for thinking Aaronson thought the
four Leeds players in the away end
were actually playing the amount of times he skied the ball into the stands.
It seems like most of Leeds’ chances fell to the American and his technique was generally awful, as he would never get the right power or direction on his efforts. One attempt to side-foot a volley was a particularly egregious example.
Manor Solomon – 10
Wow.
Leeds’ biggest threat as he got the right-back dancing and delivered several threatening balls into the box that went begging until the goal. It was no surprise when he set up the equaliser with some excellent wing play and a teasing cross into the six-yard box.
Then, when all hope looked lost, Solomon scored an incredible goal to secure the Championship. Fans will be desperate to see him signed now.
Joel Piroe – 6
Some nice link-up play but missed a golden chance to equalise when he skied the ball from close range. If you can’t rely on your striker to convert a gilt-edged chance when it matters most, it suggests another one will be needed in the top flight.
Thought he’d put Leeds in front from close range and was unlucky to see his effort disallowed.
Substitutes
Max Wober – 5
Likely not the first name fans would have wanted to come on and offered little on the left and needlessly gave away a late corner.
