Leeds remain top as Pontus Jansson's late header denies Brentford

Leeds 1-1 Brentford: Jansson's late goal grabbed United a share of the spoils

Jansson's goal was enough for a share of the spoils (REUTERS)

Leeds United are still top of the Championship after a late equaliser grabbed them a point against Brentford.

A controversial penalty gave Neal Maupay the opener in the second half, before Pontus Jansson got United back into it with two minutes to go.

It was the game that both managers had promised, and the purists had hoped for. Open, free-flowing football. Had Marcelo Bielsa been a fan he might have enjoyed the game, but perched on the edge of his technical area, the Leeds boss will be seemingly disappointed for allowing the visitors so many chances on the break.

On an overcast wintry afternoon in Yorkshire, Brentford set out to chase the game early on, with the home side going strong into tackles in midfield. Neal Maupay was inches away from the opener early on. Making use of the space he was allowed, Sergi Canos laid off for the Championship’s top scorer to poke it just wide of the far post.

It is tight at the top this season. Before kick-off, the top three consisted of Leeds, Middlesbrough and Sheffield United all on the same points, and West Brom just a point behind them. But United have shown themselves to be the pick of the bunch so far, and have been fiercely unlucky with injuries – strikers Kemar Roofe and Patrick Bamford have been on the sidelines since the beginning of September. Their replacement Tyler Roberts lead the line up front for Leeds, but was mostly a blunt instrument all game. His only chance went straight at the keeper.

Neal Maupay scored the opener (REUTERS)

Brentford should’ve gone ahead in the first half’s biggest dramatic moment. Ollie Watkins cut inside while driving down the left wing on the break. His low shot was deflected, looping over an outstretched Bailey Peacock-Farrell. But as it came off the bar, Maupay mistimed his header, and Leeds cleared before the striker was able to pounce again.

A packed Elland Road was then at its loudest in the final seconds before the half-time whistle, as Samuel Saiz’s effort from outside the box flashed past the left-hand post.

Brentford continued to show their good ability to get the ball up the field at pace, opening up opportunities as they hit the hosts on the counter. Those chances finally came to fruition just after the hour, as Maupay chased forward into space, laying off to Watkins. As he tried to chip keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell, he was seemingly brought down. Replays show it was the wrong call, but up stepped Maupay to grab his 10^th league goal of the season, sending the keeper the wrong way.

The Frenchman was met with a small shower of wrappers and plastic bottles as he made the short distance over to celebrate in front of the home crowd, who were still infuriated by the penalty decision.

Jansson equalised late (REUTERS)

Leeds’ tried to muster a quick response from a free-kick shortly after, the crowd on their feet again as captain Liam Cooper headed just wide.

Dean Smith had been complaining in midweek of teams trying to keep the ball out of play to slow the game down. But on this occasion, they were the instigators. The frustration got to an impatient Ezgjan Alioski as he rushed over to the Brentford dugout to retrieve the ball. Things got rather heated for a few seconds, with a substitute seemingly attempting to headbutt the midfielder.

As the Brentford substitutes of Benrahama, Barbet and Judge came on in the final 15 minutes, they seemingly lacked the space to get forward as they did before.

Headed fast for back-to-back home defeats, Leeds were somehow still in the game, frantically chasing the equaliser. Free-kicks came in abundance from both wings, and were proving their biggest threat.

With minutes to play, they found their way out, an Alioski free-kick from the left-hand side met a rising Jansson in the box. His header back across goal hit back of the net, finally giving way to an almighty cheer.

Brentford are still without a win away from home, but sit comfortably in the play-off spots. Meanwhile, although the meticulous Bielsa will be disappointed with the approach, Leeds are still top of the league for at least a couple of hours.