This was a game to reflect the tyranny of analytics-based football, where thought and expression are abandoned for the playbook, set pieces rule, and long throws become key events. For Brentford’s Michael Kayode, read Leeds’s Ethan Ampadu, both taking an age before hurling the ball into a mass of bodies, before the ball was bundled away. How long can this tactic stay in vogue, now that every Premier League side is so well prepared?
Scoring a goal from open play remains a valid tactic and from such a situation Rico Henry set up Jordan Henderson to score his first goal in English football since 2021, via a deflection off the Leeds defender Jaka Bijol. In turn, Leeds found their deserved equaliser from open play, Dominic Calvert-Lewin heading home Wilfried Gnonto’s cross. Henry and Gnonto, both substitutes, had added dabs of quality to a previously constipated contest.
“An old-school game, quite direct,” Keith Andrews said, the Brentford manager embracing understatement.
“Great resilience to come back,” said the Leeds manager, Daniel Farke, who was satisfied enough. “Great performance and could have been better with the outcome.”
Two teams glancing over their shoulders now look to festive fixtures. Having appeared comfortable in avoiding any semblance of a relegation battle, Brentford’s recent form – one win in five – now endangers them.
The gap to Leeds at kick-off was just four points, where it remained. In mid-November, Farke’s chances of making Christmas were akin to that of a prime, plumpened turkey only for his team to deliver high‑amped performances and four points from a daunting triple‑header.
Had such endeavours drained Leeds? They fell below the standards of the games against Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool but stayed solid and competitive. Rescuing a draw at home against Liverpool had required launching the kitchen sink at their opponents but Farke’s team are playing circumspect football in edging towards safety, going against their manager’s attacking instincts until needs must. “A difficult system to break down,” Andrews said of his opposite number’s approach. “We weren’t patient enough.”
Amid forgettable early stages the clearest glimpse of an opening was Calvert-Lewin escaping the Brentford offside trap, only to find no support. That the ball was pronounced flat served as a suitable metaphor for sub‑zero entertainment levels.
Personal duels were stalemated. Low blocks ruled supreme. The midfield was packed like a sardine tin. The best chance of the first half came via a mistake, Vitaly Janelt inadvertently providing a through ball for Noah Okafor before Caoimhín Kelleher refused to be beaten from a tight angle.
Controversy at least added an element of intrigue. Some Stockley Park dithering united both sets of fans in loud solidarity against video assistance. A Brentford penalty was first awarded and then chalked off. Dango Ouattara, challenged by Gabriel Gudmundsson, was ruled offside. It would have been a soft penalty award – “a gift”, Farke said – for the team who have been awarded the most penalties in the Premier League this season. A wretched first half drew to its merciful end. Let us never speak of it again, though things could only get better.
Leeds began the second half with momentum, attacking towards their always vocal away support. Brentford remained comfortable with retreating into their shell and that made for a mass of bodies in the penalty area, as a couple of pinball sessions were played out.
On the hour, Andrews introduced Mikkel Damsgaard’s craft in an attempt to serve the isolated Igor Thiago, Henry accompanying the Dane from the bench to play his key role in the goal. “Jordan’s experience, knowledge of the game, is second to none,” Andrews said. “He has been an impactful player for us.”
Henderson, remembering his late friend Diogo Jota, said: “I don’t score many goals – I thought I would dedicate it to him,” after using the Portuguese’s celebration.
That left Leeds had 20 minutes to find an equaliser. Gnonto and Brenden Aaronson arrived as attacking reinforcements, the former proving crucial. Calvert-Lewin made no mistake from Gnonto’s cross, and he celebrated with fans who have taken his hard-work ethic to their hearts. “Good character and good resilience,” was the recipe the former England striker offered for his new team’s continued revival.
Neither team appeared willing to risk all for the winner even if Ampadu fired a missile of a shot wide, and Ouattara shot over. A point each; always the likeliest result when edge, enjoyment and expression are in short supply.
