Leeds 1 Brentford 1: Calvert-Lewin scores late equaliser as Bees brought back down to earth after Spurs mauling

LEEDS UNITED fans were the most optimistic in the Premier League coming into this season, and their never-say-die attitude might be enough to see them dream of a European spot. That spirit was evident when Dominic Calvert-Lewin dragged them back into a game in which they had been thoroughly dominated by Brentford. Dominic Calvert-Lewin continues to prove to be a shrewd signing for the club a year on Credit: Getty Schade’s record of never losing for Brentford when he has scored rumbles on Credit: Reuters Daniel Farke splashed the cash on James Trafford, Harry Wilson, and Tarik Muharemovic, hoping to fast-track his side to Europe and skip the mid-table grind entirely. But a first-half masterclass from the Bees initially delivered a stinging reality check for the Elland Road faithful – there are absolutely no shortcuts when it comes to progress in the Premier League. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Brentford have spent five seasons in the top flight since being promoted, most of them pushing for Europe or sitting comfortably in mid-table obscurity. Leeds returned to the Premier League last season and joined them in mid-table, albeit six points below Sunday’s visitors. Last season, Keith Andrews‘ side finished just outside of a Conference League spot on goal difference, punching well above their weight. That is exactly the position Leeds would be hoping to find themselves in this term, skipping a few seasons of the mid-table mediocrity show. Those hopes were reflected by the fans, who were voted as the league’s most optimistic, with 99 per cent of the fanbase feeling hopeful ahead of the new season according to a survey by The Athletic. BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Yet for the majority of this tie felt like a brutal humbling that implied Leeds were still several years of progress behind their opponents. Most read in Sport When the Bees lost Thomas Frank to Spurs, it seemed as though they would lose their wings and flutter back down to the Championship – the same way they perhaps should have when they lost Ivan Toney the summer prior. Instead, they recruited smartly by buying Igor Thiago, put their faith in Andrews, and built a system that can compete with the best sides in the league. Dangerous set-pieces, a solid stopper in Caoimhin Kelleher, and creative wingers with a lethal goal threat are the foundation of their success. That was proven by a 3-0 win at home to Spurs on the opening day, and reinforced again in West Yorkshire until Leeds finally fought back with a lethal goal threat of their own. The opening 20 minutes set the pace, with what was expected to be a back-and-forth tie entirely dominated by the visitors. £40m man Trafford in the Leeds goal at least looked good value for money, making several stops to deny both Thiago and Mikel Damsgaard to a chorus of “England‘s number one” – which on this showing, perhaps he should be. Farke’s men were already clinging onto a draw after half an hour, being beaten all over the pitch. Calvert-Lewin scored his 16th goal for the club since his move last summer Credit: Reuters Eventually, the relentless pressure told. An injury to Joe Rodon in the Leeds back three provided the exact impetus Brentford needed to capitalise on a bad moment for the hosts. Moments after the Welshman limped around the pitch to a standing ovation with a hamstring issue, the visitors pounced. The ball was worked out to the left-hand side, where Keane Lewis-Potter delivered a low cross for Kevin Schade to turn into the top right corner with the accuracy of a sniper. Leeds’ desperation for a second-half comeback left them dangerously open on the break. The half-time introductions of Wilson and Ao Tanaka attempted to breathe life into a team that could not catch a breath. Slightly more possession and a few set-pieces could not help the hosts muster anything to truly trouble Kelleher, with Calvert-Lewin starved of service and well-marshalled by the Brentford backline. Speedy winger Daniel James then spurned a glorious chance, blazing over the bar after going clean through on goal. And then it came. Calvert-Lewin finally gave Leeds the kiss of life, tapping into an empty net to level the scoring. The two teams traded places, with the hosts now applying unrelenting pressure and refusing to let Brentford breathe. It really should have ended in a Calvert-Lewin brace and another three points for Leeds. When the ball fell to the English striker in the middle of the box, Elland Road held its breath as he shifted the ball onto his lethal right foot. But a spectacular diving save from Kelleher denied him brilliantly, seeing the points shared and the relentless optimism live on. Comment now