Pascal Struijk spearheaded the stoppage-time equalizer as Leeds snatched a vital point in their fight for Premier League survival with a 1-1 draw against Brighton.
Late substitute Struijk headed home the far post in the second minute of added time to knock Leeds out of the bottom three after Danny Welbeck had given Albion a half-time lead at Elland Road.
Following relegation rivals Burnley’s loss to Tottenham on Sunday, Struijk’s last-gasp draw ensured that Leeds’ bid to retain their top-flight status would be decided on the final day of the season.
FULL MATCH DETAILS
Leeds nearly got off to a dream start when Joe Gelhardt’s effort from a corner was inadvertently blocked on the goal line by the face of their captain, Liam Cooper.
But Brighton wasted no time showing their intentions as they approached their highest ever result in English football by creating two great chances in quick succession.
Moises Caicedo shot straight into Illan Meslier from six meters and then Solly March dragged his attempt after coming face to face with the Leeds goalkeeper.
Pascal Gross was next to test Meslier as the hosts repeatedly gave the ball away and Brighton too easily exposed their weaknesses at the back.
The visitors’ first goal duly came, courtesy of a lighter Leeds defence, in the 21st minute and the hosts were solely to blame.
The club’s record signing Rodrigo, not for the first time, faltered in possession and Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma was unchallenged when he came out with the ball and ventured into the Leeds half.
Bissouma’s ball down the right channel seemed to pose little immediate danger, but Welbeck got past Diego Llorente before scoring an excellent finish over Meslier.
Leeds improved once they fell behind and were denied an equalizer in the 42nd minute when Mateusz Klich’s shot was brilliantly saved by Robert Sanchez.
Raphinha seized a half opening early in the second period and Jack Harrison burned.
Leeds, roared by another full house, advanced again and Brighton captain Lewis Dunk rescued their flank by deflecting Rodrigo’s pass from Raphinha’s cross off target.
Sanchez produced another flying save to avoid Raphinha’s hard-hitting strike and the Brazilian then spun a low arcing cross from Rodrigo right into the wrong side of a post as Leeds built a head of steam.
Klich was next to be foiled by the inspired Sanchez and Gelhardt’s low shot sailed inches away as Leeds pushed for an equaliser.
With time running out, the local fans sensed that it was not their day and a sector turned the club’s hierarchy upside down.
A chorus of “Sack the board” was heard as Welbeck missed a golden opportunity to seal the Seagulls’ victory in the closing stages by heading in Leandro Trossard’s cross wide.
But in the second minute of added time, Gelhardt dodged several challenges in the Brighton box and crossed to the far post where Struijk rose to head in a vital equalizer.
Reference-www.rte.ie