Leeds 1 - 1 Wolves: Leeds leave it late to snatch a point

A late Rodrigo penalty denied Wolverhampton Wanderers a fourth consecutive league win for the first time since 1972, as Leeds United stole a point in a 1-1 draw.

In a battle between two of the last four EFL Championship winners, both sides would’ve been desperate for points to avoid a return to the second tier. Leeds started the better of the two teams, yet found themselves behind against the run of play, when Hwang Hee-chan netted his third goal in as many games to put the visitors ahead. Raúl Jiménez’s initial effort had been blocked, before the South Korean international prodded home from close range.

The visitors had netted just one goal in the first half so far this season, and they were intent on protecting their advantage. Raphinha continued to probe after the opener and he remained Leeds’ most dangerous threat, but his efforts were easily thwarted by a resilient Wolves backline. Groans from a frustrated Elland Road faithful met the home side as they trudged off for HT, after what had been another lacklustre Premier League showing for the ‘Whites’.

With one win all season, hopes of a ‘Whites’ comeback were halted when Raphinha was forced off through injury early in the second period, dealing another blow for the under-pressure Marcelo Bielsa. In the midst of their worst start to a top-flight campaign since they finished rock-bottom in 1981/82, the Leeds boss felt his side should’ve had a man advantage midway through the half. Romain Saïss, who had been cautioned moments earlier, bundled himself into Rodrigo, but referee Robert Jones was quick to wave away any protests.

Leeds continued to press for an equaliser and were handed a golden opportunity in added time when Nelson Samedo bundled down Joe Gelhardt to give the host’s a penalty. Rodrigo stepped and converted calmly into the bottom left-hand corner, preventing a sixth straight defeat against Wolves.