Leeds United player ratings with clear man of the match sweeping up danger

Leeds United played out a 1-1 draw in the first game of 2026 at Elland Road.

Lucas Perri – hesitant coming off his line for the equaliser and poor in his distribution as usual but made a good reflex save from Leny Yoro 6

Sebastiann Bornauw – defended solidly 7

Jaka Bijol – a defensive rock, reading the game well to sweep up danger 9

Pascal Struijk – made the opening goal with a no-nonsense pass 7

James Justin – did his job defensively but does not offer the same attacking threat as Jayden Bogle, who he was deputising for 6

Ilia Gruev – did not let anyone down but not at the same level as Ethan Ampadu 6

DOMINANT: Jaka Bijol (left) beats Benjamin Sesko to the ball (Image: Danny Lawson/PA Wire)placeholder image
DOMINANT: Jaka Bijol (left) beats Benjamin Sesko to the ball (Image: Danny Lawson/PA Wire)

Anton Stach – an outstanding cross onto the head of Dominic Calvert-Lewin in an energetic display 7

Gabriel Gudmundsson – good rather than excellent down the left-hand side 7

Brenden Aaronson – a goal to continue his good run of form 8

Dominic Calvert-Lewin – guided a header onto the far post and just over with an earlier chance 7

GOAL: Brenden Aaronson (Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)placeholder image
GOAL: Brenden Aaronson (Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

Noah Okafor – his pace caused problems, as did an overhead kick 7

Substitutes:

Lukas Nmecha (for Okafor, 75) – caused the Red Devils problems when he came on on the left 6

Willy Gnonto (for Bornauw, 80) – limited impact 4

Ao Tanaka (for Gruev, 80) – played a few good passes 5

Joel Piroe (for Aaronson, 87) – even coming on so late he had a couple of chances, without taking them 6

Not used: Longstaff, Harrison, Byram, Darlow, Chambers.

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