The player ratings are in following Leeds United’s 1-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea.
The white and yellow half of Wembley was in fine voice prior to kick-off, but the noise failed to light a fire under Daniel Farke’s men. They spent much of the first half camped in their own half, unable to get any sort of grip on the game.
Chelsea’s dominance was rewarded after 23 minutes, when Enzo Fernandez headed home from a Pedro Neto cross.
Farke shuffled the Leeds pack at half-time, introducing trusted lieutenants Joe Rodon and Anton Stach in place of James Justin and Jaka Bijol. The switches put a spring in the Leeds step as Chelsea’s grip loosened, but a breakthrough proved impossible to find.
The defeat brought an end to Leeds’ FA Cup journey and continued their wait for a win at the ‘new’ Wembley, a ground they have lost 1-0 in on three separate occasions.
Dissection can be tough when emotions are running high, but Farke must pore over the afternoon’s events in excruciating detail. There will be lessons to take into the final four games of the club’s Premier League season, with safety not yet secured.
Fans will undoubtedly have contrasting views on individual performances – views they will share long into the week and beyond. Here are the ratings awarded by The Yorkshire Post at Wembley.
1. Leeds United player ratings
The player ratings are in following Leeds United's FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea. | Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
2. Lucas Perri - 6
It would be harsh to suggest he could have done much more to keep out Fernandez's opener, which was the fault of those in front of him. Did not face too much trouble from Chelsea for the rest of the afternoon. | Ben STANSALL / AFP via Getty Images
3. James Justin - 5
Struijk will rightly get a lot of the blame for the opener but Justin lost track of goalscorer Fernandez in the box. Justin has had a fantastic maiden campaign in Leeds colours, yet his half-time withdrawal hardly came as a surprise. | Nick Potts/PA Wire
4. Jaka Bijol - 5
His motivation for the big occasion was perhaps behind some early overzealous challenges. He did start to settle but was replaced by Joe Rodon at half-time. | Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images