Junior Firpo has been much-improved in recent weeks, and explained a “mix of emotions” following Leeds United‘s 2-2 draw with Brighton on Saturday.
Leeds went behind when Alexis Mac Allister headed home, before Patrick Bamford’s deflected long-range shot went in off the crossbar to level the scores before half-time.
The Whites were 2-1 down shortly into the second-half when Jack Harrison put the ball into his own net, after a dangerous Brighton attack down Leeds’ right hand side.
Harrison would atone when he curled home a stunner with his weaker right foot and snatched a point back for Leeds.
Javi Gracia’s side have fallen into the relegation zone off the back of the draw, with results going against them over the weekend. Leeds sit 19th in the Premier League table currently.
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What’s been the player reaction to the Brighton draw?
Firpo spoke to LUTV where he explained the mood in the Leeds camp after full-time, he said: “It’s a mix of emotions. Going down two times in the game maybe you can be happy with a point because it’s better than nothing.”
Leeds’ left-back has managed to sustain a period of fitness and decent form, but regardless of his own resurgence he knows the team need to improve themselves, he added: “Now the points are getting more important every single week but it is what it is. We played against a really tough team and we had our chances.”
Firpo believes Leeds played well given the number of chances Brighton create, he continued: “Obviously they create a lot and they played really well but I think we played a good game.”
The Spaniard explained that coming back from two goals down showed real character and the fans can see that, he said: “It makes it not a bad result. It means that our fans can be even more proud about what we did because easily those types of teams, they make the first goal and after they just enjoy and get a second, then a third goal.
“So we did a really good thing coming back in the game and maybe the second goal was a bit unlucky because we were the better side in the second-half at that point, but it’s what this league takes and we’ll keep fighting.”
It was an excellent point in the end, because Brighton have been one of the best four or five teams in the league since Roberto De Zerbi took charge.
Firpo is correct to think that they can be proud, and the fans should be as well, despite the result dropping Leeds into the bottom three.
Brighton was a game where you take what you can get. They are flying and Leeds need points. There will be more winnable games for Gracia and co. before the season ends.
Will Gracia keep Leeds up?
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