‘I got caught napping’ in Leeds United defeat admits Luke Ayling

IN all good sides, there is honesty and self-analysis when standards are not hit.
Leeds United's Luke Ayling. Picture Tony JohnsonLeeds United's Luke Ayling. Picture Tony Johnson
Leeds United's Luke Ayling. Picture Tony Johnson

That was the case on Wednesday night when Leeds United’s Luke Ayling fronted up and took the blame for his part in Everton’s ultimately decisive second goal in their 2-1 win at Elland Road.

It was an evening which showcased everything positive and vibrant about Leeds this season, by way of a high energy and relentless second half in which they threw everything at the visitors in their quest to get something out of the game, which they were hugely unfortunate not to.

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But afterwards, Ayling – one of several players who have stepped up in impressive fashion from the Championship to the Premier League – was in no mood to gloss over the second goal when he lost track of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

He said: “It was two sloppy goals to concede.

“The first goal he (Gylfi) Sigurdsson) was free in the six-yard box, which cannot happen. And for the second, it is my man from a corner and I got caught napping, so it was two sloppy goals.”

Regardless of United’s response, the statistics will point to the fact that their goals against column now stands at 38 in 21 league matches so far.

Despite some exhilarating performances in spells against the likes of Everton, Manchester City, Arsenal and Leicester, Leeds have picked up just three victories in 10 home matches thus far, with Marcelo Bielsa’s side having lost exactly half of their games at Elland Road in 2020-21.

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It is a situation which is in need of improvement from Leeds, who welcome Crystal Palace on Monday night.

Ayling added: “We came back into it in the second half. We had some great chances and could probably have nicked a draw. However, you can’t afford to go two goals down in this league.”

Meanwhile, Swansea City head coach Steve Cooper has played a straight bat to suggestions that the Welsh outfit made a loan approach for young United forward Sam Greenwood on transfer deadline day, which was reportedly rejected.

He said: “I don’t know. We were in for quite a number of players over the last few months, some that were kept lukewarm and some you turned down straight away.

“There is a long list of players we enquired about.”

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