Leeds United 1 Brentford 1: Whites claim draw on a day to keep expectations in check

Another goal from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, whose form and fitness is uncomfortably pivotal to the Whites, should not paper over a display that saw the home team booed off at half-time of Elland Road’s first competitive game this season.

A damp Sunday reminded the Whites that for all the extra quality they have added, they lack quantity.

Leeds were lucky last season with injuries, as most teams who have good Premier League seasons are, but it is not something they can bank on. It only took one to Joe Rodon to make the squad look a little light with a just over 48 hours until the transfer window closes.

But manager Daniel Farke has got used to transfer window disappointment at Elland Road, and made a virtue of making the best of what he has. On Sunday he tried three different formations, constantly shuffling his pack until he found an equaliser.

It was one of his substitutes, Lukas Nmecha, who made Calvert-Lewin's 79th-minute goal, making space for a cross-shot his strike partner turned in from just the right side of the offside line. Another, Daniel James, had a big impact in his new role of right wing-back.

A 1-1 draw was a point you would take on a day when the home players just did not hit the levels they should and Brentford certainly did, most notably in a first half when they failed to properly make it count.

Rodon was already having a bad day and so were Leeds when his hamstring went after the half-hour.

His rhythm in the tackle was not quite there, getting away with a foul on Kevin Schade in the 11th minute because the ball went to Jadon Anthony, but penalised for another.

The whole Leeds team did not quite look at it, the ball not sticking with Calvert-Lewin, not least because of the service, and too many passes and crosses not finding their targets. Part of that was down to how good Brentford were.

A bad day got worse when Rodon chased the ball to the left touchline and pulled up.

Fortunately, Nico Elvedi, on for his league debut, looks a good signing, as all the new boys so far.

Farke had spoken in midweek about how despite adding his quality, he still only had four centre-backs, and that was not enough. Rodon's injury underlined his point.

James Justin and Ethan Ampadu can do excellent jobs there – Ampadu finished the game there – but with Gabriel Gudmundsson only fit enough to be the bench for the first time this season, Justin is the only sensible left wing-back option, Ampadu the driving force in midfield.

But players can let themselves be distracted in a transfer window if they are not careful, and the brutal truth is Leeds did not play well enough in a first half which saw Brentford deservedly take the lead just seven minutes later.

The Bees had the first spell of real goalmouth pressure after ten minutes, Nathan Collins glancing a header at James Trafford and Mikkel Damsgaard twisting past Jayden Bogle before a parried shot.

Amapdu had a snapshot from distance after 21 minutes, but once more only proved Farke right. The manager had said on Friday his midfielder should shoot less.

When Bogle produced an excellent switch of play, Noah Okafor overhit his cross. An Anton Stach free-kick minutes later had a lovely shape but did not find a white shirt, forcing the German to concede a corner at the other end when the Bees counter-attacked.

It was no surprise they took the lead, Schade sneaking in front of Jaka Bijol after Leeds failed to get the ball away long following his.

The centre-back made way for Ao Tanaka at the interval. Harry Wilson came on too, Farke changing shape to match Brentford's 4-2-3-1.

Leeds looked better, Okafor’s curling shot blocked after Anthony's weak header, but in a 58th-minute move, Tanaka conceded possession with a sloppy pass and although the Whites quickly won it back, Wilson hit his pass to the overlapping Bogle out for a goalkick.

At least Leeds were threatening, Justin's shot turned around the post by Caoimhin Kelleher.

Farke changed shape again, to 3-5-2, using his last substitutes midway through the second half.

The two latest introductions combined in the 73rd minute, Nmecha helping the ball on for Daniel James to sprint onto from right wing-back, only to sail his chip wide.

A free-kick conceded centrally by Mamadou Sangare in Stach's range drew roars of anticipation followed by groans of frustration. You felt it would be one of those days.

But once Calvert-Lewin found the net, even though Trafford needed to make a big save from Igor Thiago, Leeds looked more likely winners.

James curled over and Stach put a free-kick wide with the last touch but a home win would have been unjust.

Leeds United: Trafford; Rodon (Elvedi 34), Bijol (Tanaka HT), Muharemovic; Bogle (James 68), Stach, Ampadu, Justin; Aaronson (Wilson HT), Okafor (Nmecha 68); Calvert-Lewin.

Unused substitutes: Gudmundsson, Longstaff, Cairns, Gnonto.

Brentford: Kelleher; Kayode (Hickey 88), Ajer, Collins, Lewis-Potter (Wilson 83); Sangare, Janelt; Anthony (Ouattara 61), Damsgaard (Yarmoliuk 68), Schade (Henry 87); Thiago.

Unused substitutes: Valdimarsson, Carvalho, Diouf, Schuster.

Referee: T Harrington (Hartlepool).