West Brom rode their luck at times but battled to a point as they drew 1-1 with Leeds United in the EFL Championship at Elland Road.
Brandon Thomas-Asante - doubtful bfore kick-off opened the scoring in controversial circumstances just before the hour-mark with a deft touch - but the Baggies could not hold on as Luke Ayling got the Whites back on level terms. Carlos Corberan's side were under the cosh for a majority of the match, and their goal came during their best spell of pressure.
West Brom after the result go to 11th with their four points on the board, meanwhile opponents Leeds remain winless are 17th.
The hosts started on the front foot and played some patient football which resulted in the first chance. Sam Byram curled a shot that glazed past Alex Palmer’s post.
Darnell Furlong had no patience from the referee though as he earned himself a yellow card for blocking Dan James’ run. Leeds carved open another opportunity as Okay Yokuslu was picked off by Archie Gray with Palmer denying Joe Gelhardt’s effort.
West Brom counted themselves lucky not to concede as Jamie Shackelton’s shot deflected onto the post from Cedric Kipre’s block. A common theme throughout the first-half was Okar Yokuslu and Jayson Molumby was the pair being caught out, and allowing the hosts attacking opportunities. Neither side could find a breakthrough at half-time however, with Leeds carrying the greater threat, but flashes of good moments from the visitors.
It took 50 minutes but West Brom at last forced Ilan Meslier into action in a sustained period of pressure. Yokuslu picked off sloppy Leeds play and fed it to Brandon Thomas-Asante, who fed a cross into Jed Wallace and his shot was tipped onto the crossbar by the goalkeeper.
West Brom against the run-of-play took the lead. A corner-kick came in and Jayson Molumby’s shot was directed into the path of Thomas-Asante and his touch deflected past the flat-footed Meslier, who couldn’t adjust himself.
Thomas-Asante’s goal gave West Brom the confidence boost they needed, and they began to take a foothold into the game. Leeds players got frustrated and began to foul with Shackelton carded. Leeds then appealed for a penalty as Kipre made a last-ditch tackle on Shackelton in the box.
Leeds began to get more chances, but Dan James was brilliantly denied by the fingertips of Palmer, who was ready on his toes, and tipped the Wales international’s shot over the bar. They eventually got back on level terms as a cross came into the box and Ayling rose highest to head past Palmer.
The hosts immediately pushed for a second goal, and Palmer had to be alert once more, as he parried from Gelhardt’s shot from just outside the box. In the last notable attack, Georginio Rutter sliced a shot just past Palmer’s post, much to the relief of the travelling contingent, with the full-time whistle sounding not long after.
Below are BirminghamWorld’s player ratings in West Brom’s 1-1 draw with Leeds...
1. Alex Palmer - 8
Unfortunate to be beaten. He made a good few saves, but his defence let him down for Leeds’ equaliser. Photo: George Wood/Getty Images
2. Semi Ajayi - 6
We didn’t see much of Ajayi in regards to his presence on the game. Photo: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
3. Cedric Kipre - 7
Nervy performance to start off with, but one of the players that at least put himself about at least. Playing in the centre of a three is a fairly important role. Photo: George Wood/Getty Images
4. Erik Pieters (subbed off, 74) - 6
He was beaten far too easily in the air for Luke Ayling’s equaliser. Photo: George Wood/Getty Images