Baggies manager Carlos Corberan, who spent three years at Elland Road, believed he had secured bragging rights over his former club thanks to Brandon Thomas-Asante’s controversial opener, which came off his arm early in the second half. However, Luke Ayling salvaged a valuable point for the hosts with a powerful header.
Both teams struck the post in an entertaining match under the Yorkshire floodlights.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke made two changes to his injury-plagued side, handing big-money French striker Georginio Rutter his first start of the season. Meanwhile, Thomas-Asante returned to the starting line-up for the Baggies.
The game started slowly, with Sam Byram’s shot across the face of goal being the only significant action in the opening 10 minutes. However, the hosts, fueled by their passionate supporters, showed their determination as Dan James forced a good low save from Alex Palmer after a deflection.
Leeds came desperately close to scoring when Jamie Shackleton’s speculative effort took a wicked deflection off Cedric Kipre and struck the base of the post.
When West Brom finally had a decent chance, Darnell Furlong failed to capitalize at the back post after a deep cross from Matty Phillips.
In the second half, it was West Brom’s turn to be denied by the woodwork. Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier made a superb save, pushing Jed Wallace’s effort onto the post after connecting with Thomas-Asante’s drilled cross.
However, shortly after, Thomas-Asante broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute with a scrappy goal that delighted the visiting fans. Leeds failed to clear a near-post corner, and Jayson Molumby’s strike, deflected off the striker’s arm, found its way into the net amid a sea of bodies.
With time running out, Leeds increased the pressure, with Palmer pulling off a stunning fingertip save to deny a thunderous shot from James destined for the top corner.
Former Manchester United winger James played a crucial role in the equalizer, delivering a cross that Ayling met with a superb run, heading it home in the 72nd minute.
The hosts almost took the lead immediately after as Palmer made another smart stop, this time to deny Joe Gelhardt.
Overall, it was an eventful and fiercely contested match, leaving both teams with a share of the points.
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