Leeds United were beaten in pretty limp fashion by Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, as a James Trafford howler handed the home side the advantage.
After a very lifeless draw against the bottom club Sunderland last time out, Leeds knew it would need a better overall performance to get the better of Bournemouth.
The Cherries came into today off the back of five straight wins. But, Leeds made it much easier for them to get a sixth successive triumph.
Bournemouth 2-0 Leeds United: James Trafford error gifts Cherries opener
The first half-hour or so was actually very encouraging from Leeds. Harry Wilson looked sharp and closer to the player we’d signed, Dan James was getting in behind, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he’d opened the scoring. An unfortunate use of his arm in bundling the ball over the line was rightly judged as handball.
However, the game swung on a shocking moment for James Trafford. Typically composed on the ball, he played a weak pass towards Ao Tanaka that was easily cut out by Justin Kluivert, who squared to Evanilson for an easy finish.
After that, Leeds mustered up virtually nothing that would threaten Djordje Petrovic. No shots on target in the second half, and as we made a feeble attempt to equalise, Bournemouth snatched possession in our half, deep in added time, and sealed the win through Amine Adli’s smart finish.
It leaves Leeds tasting defeat for just the second time in the Premier League this season. That said, it means that from nine games, Leeds have still only won two, which is less than Coventry City and Ipswich Town.
Daniel Farke needs to get more out of Leeds United’s attack ASAP
What was more alarming than Trafford being at fault for the goal is what followed. Leeds were truly abysmal in possession from 1-0 onwards, and that needs to be addressed.
| Leeds United stats v Bournemouth | Across 90 minutes | In Second half |
|---|---|---|
| Shots (on target) | 10 (1) | 7 (0) |
| xG | 0.67 | 0.26 |
| Big chances | 1 | 0 |
| Touches in opposition box | 18 | 9 |
| Crosses | 4 | 2 |
The fact we couldn’t generate a single shot on target while chasing the game for over a full half of football is embarrassing.
And, it does fall at Farke’s door to resolve this. We dominated the early exchanges and should have been in the lead, but we weren’t so Farke has to find a way to sustain it and come up with solutions later in matches.
It’s not just against Bournemouth where we’ve looked toothless, though. In open play, we haven’t looked strong since Newcastle at home really, and that is alarming.
We went through dry spells last season and it all worked out in the end. But, it’s definitely the glaring issue Farke has to solve as soon as possible.
Prime Norwich.