Jack Harrison scored at both ends of the pitch to help Leeds produce one of the close football scores of the weekend in the Premier League. Alexis MacAllister put the visitors ahead following some good work from Kaoru Mitoma (33) but Bamford leveled the score seven minutes later, using Adam Webster’s outstretched leg to deflect a shot past Jason Steele. At the break, Roberto De Zerbi’s team rightly retook the lead when Harrison turned through his own net under pressure from Solly March (61), before the winger was exonerated by producing a remarkable equalizer (78). Harrison gathered a short corner from Wilfried Gnonto, jinked inside onto his preferred right boot, and curled a beautiful shot into the far corner of the net to alleviate some Elland Road anxiety.
Harrison’s solitary goal was not enough to take Leeds out of the relegation zone, but it will give the hosts encouragement, not least since they were outclassed for much of the game but still managed to come away with something to show for their determined efforts. The home audience began the day in a gloomy mood, which was mirrored by their team’s nervous start as missed passes at the back welcomed Brighton pressure, with Luke Ayling repeatedly caught off guard by Mitoma’s deception. Leeds threatened intermittently, but Brighton’s opener seemed unavoidable.
Pascal Gross delivered a tantalizing cross to the Japan international at the far post, and his selfless header back across the face of goal was nodded in by a grateful Mac Allister – whose seven goals in 21 games this season are one more than his first 63 combined. Bamford brightened the atmosphere soon after, blasting an effort in off the underside of the crossbar thanks to a Webster deflection, but unyielding Brighton maintained possession and momentum. They pressed and probed as usual, until Max Wober’s attempted clearance from Mitoma’s low cross rebounded awkwardly off Illan Meslier, causing a hasty Harrison clearance to be punished further.
Due to the presence of March just behind him, the winger was forced to act, but the entire episode was unpredictable and irresponsible – Brighton has benefitted from more own goals (five) than any other team this season. Substitute Danny Welbeck then had an opportunity to put the game out of reach for Leeds, but he couldn’t beat Meslier in a one-on-one, allowing Harrison to make amends for his earlier gaffe by sealing the scoring with the best strike of a chaotic but entertaining afternoon.
“Today, we were aiming for victory. But I have to give it to my guys because they stick to the strategy. We were twice behind, and managing the game was difficult. We were up against a formidable opponent. I wish to emphasize the point,” Leeds boss Javi Gracia said. “The game was more open, with opportunities for both teams. We must provide value since every point matters. We had to defend well since they press hard and have considerably more possession than other teams. It’s a valid point, in my opinion. We’ve produced numerous chances in previous games, and we scored two today. I believe we will accomplish it again in the following games.”
“I am quite upset with the outcome. We had an excellent game. We had the opportunity to score more points and win the game. We made numerous errors in the final third. I apologize for the outcome and for my players as a result of this,” Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi said. “We had several chances to attack in the first half. We play well and grasp the game from the first minute. It’s difficult to win here because the venue and atmosphere are great. Yet, when it comes to performance, we deserved to win. We had to call a timeout when the score was 2-1. We had the opportunity to do so. Welbeck, MacAllister, and Mitoma I’m not sure how many times they were in the goal area. We conceded a set-piece goal. We’re paying for it. We all know how football can be.”
Jack Harrison became the fifth player in Premier League history to score, assist, and score an own goal, and the second player this season to do it following Jacob Ramsey for Aston Villa against Manchester United. Brighton now has the Premier League’s longest unbeaten streak away from home (six games – W3 D3). They are the only team that has yet to lose on the road since the World Cup resumed.
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