Leeds United started the season on the right foot after a 2-1 win over Wolves. It looked like it might be a busy day when Wolves got on the board after just six minutes, but a goal from Rodrigo and an own goal from Rayan Aït-Nouri proved to be the difference. After almost being relegated last season, three points to start the season will please Jesse Marsch as the team aim not to find themselves in that situation again.
There wasn’t much wrong with Wolves’ performance and on another day he may well win the match, but no Joao Moutinho, they were unable to control the midfield for long periods of time. It is worrying that this is an ongoing issue when Moutinho is 35 and they have done nothing to get a proper backup for him. Nathan Collins he was the only new signing, but he is not going to help control the game and the team already saw last season that good defense alone is not enough in a league of this quality.
Wolves pay dearly for any defensive breakdown and Leeds’ first game was a good example of that. Jack Harrison fought to keep the game alive before the ball found Rodrigo who beat Jose Sa at his near post.
Leeds would push to cause more problems before half-time, but Wolves were able to take advantage of the imbalance in midfield created by Rodrigo being on the pitch without full defensive support behind him. Fortunately, Illian Meslier was strong in net and did them no harm. Mellieu made five saves on 15 shots he faced while keeping some close range chances. Marsh would notice the problems in the midfield Mateusz Klich and Sam Greenwood in the fight for Rodrigo and Mark Rocca.
Just a minute later, Klich rewarded Marsch with a through ball to Marsch Patrick Bamford whose cross ended up in the back of the net. The goal was initially given to Brenden Aaronson, which would have been a fine debut, but Aït-Nouri turned it into the net for an own goal. Aaronson says he’s claiming it though.
For Leeds, it all counts as Marsh got four debutants and beat an established Wolves side. Tyler Adams He wasn’t asked to do much in midfield, with his centre-backs stepping up to make crucial cuts, but it was a great start to laying the foundations for a budding Leeds team. Lage may hit the panic button soon if Wolves fail to put together a good performance.
