Sean Fisher

Sat 6 April 2024 17:33, UK

Leeds United were dealt a significant blow to their promotion hopes after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Coventry City on Saturday afternoon (6 April).

Daniel Farke’s side kicked off the clash knowing a win would have taken them back to the top of the Championship table after Ipswich Town’s defeat to Norwich earlier in the day.

However, goals from Ellis Simms and Haji Wright inflicted a seventh defeat of the season for the Yorkshire outfit and ended an unbeaten streak of 15 league games.

PLAYER RATINGS

Illan Meslier – 4

Fingers should be pointed at the Frenchman for a poor attempt to save Wright’s effort just after the break. Deserves credit for a crucial save that kept Coventry to a one-goal lead in the first half but his performance was still underwhelming overall.

Archie Gray – 5

His talent is wasted at right-back. Gray struggled to handle the physical threat of Coventry’s forward line and was caught out too often defensively in the first half.

Looked far more composed and comfortable when moved centrally in the second half. Farke needs to make sure he can return to midfield as soon as possible.

Joe Rodon – 7

Rodon hardly put a foot wrong and took charge of the Leeds backline when they were under siege from Coventry’s long passes. Without him, Leeds would have been lucky to have only lost by one.

Ethan Ampadu – 4

Ampadu will be having nightmares about Ellis Simms tonight. The towering Coventry striker is a handful to contain and he was happy to stick on Ampadu’s side of the pitch. The Welsh defender was good on the ball but struggled to cope physically.

Junior Firpo – 4

A Jekyll and Hyde performance – Firpo continues to look brilliant going forward and should have an assist to his name after finding Bamford in the six-yard box. However, his eagerness to attack leaves Leeds vulnerable at the back and he was caught out of position for the second goal.

Ilia Gruev – 5

Fans were eager to see Gruev back in the starting lineup after his injury absence but he failed to impress on his return. He offered very little going forward and was too easily passed through in midfield.

Glen Kamara – 2

Anonymous. Hooked off by Farke at half-time and rightly so. Kamara looked scared to pass forward or take a risk in possession.

Dan James – 4

A performance full of energy but void of quality. Made too many wrong decisions in the final third and struggled to create chances from the right. Looked much more comfortable when Roberts was introduced on his flank in the second half.

Georginio Rutter – 3

Flashy but pointless. Plenty of stepovers and nutmegs without getting the basics right.

Gave the ball away far too often trying something intricate and Daniel Farke will be pulling his hair out at Rutter’s poor decision-making.

Crysencio Summerville – 5

Leeds’ biggest creative threat. Coventry made sure to double up on the dynamic Dutchman, but he was still able to get on the ball and find pockets of space. However, the defensive side of his game was lazy and his refusal to track back led to Coventry’s second goal.

Patrick Bamford – 2

Shocking. Bamford has no excuses for missing a plethora of clear-cut chances – again. His teammates spared his blushes after a dreadful performance against Hull on Monday and this time his mistakes have cost Leeds crucial points.

Taken off for Mateo Joseph just after an hour.

SUBSTITUTES

Connor Roberts [6] – An assured performance at right-back that allowed Gray to push into midfield. Threatened down the right and is forming a strong relationship with James.

Joel Piroe [8] – Clawed a goal back for Leeds after replacing Gruev in midfield. Deserves to start next week.

Mateo Joseph [5] – Looked sharp after being introduced but struggled to arrive on the end of a clear-cut opportunity.

Wilfried Gnonto [] – N/A.

In other news, Leeds United star set to reject offers from two giants

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