Leeds United 1-1 West Brom: Luke Ayling heads leveller to earn draw with Baggies

Former Leeds United backroom staffer Carlos Corberan had to settle for a draw on his return to Elland Road with West Bromwich Albion.

Jayson Molumby’s shot clearly deflected off Thomas-Asante’s arm – and the goal stood.

• Relive Leeds’ home draw with West Bromwich Albion

But, despite the heroics of visiting keeper Alex Palmer, who made two fine saves from Dan James in both halves, Leeds kept their heads – and skipper Luke Ayling levelled.

He powered a 72nd-minute header into the top right corner from Wales international James’ cross to earn the hosts a point.

And that was the very least the hosts deserved to secure a second successive home draw for Daniel Farke’s relegated Leeds following their first-day 2-2 draw with Cardiff City.

Leeds rally after Gnonto announcement

Leeds, beaten in injury time by a controversial injury-time penalty at Birmingham last Saturday, were rocked by the pre-match announcement that disaffected striker Wilfried Gnonto had officially handed in a transfer request.

But there was little sign of any after-effects from that as, enlivened by their home support, Farke’s men had the better of the first half.

They went closest when keeper Palmer saved from James, before Jamie Shackleton’s effort from range deflected off Cedric Kipre and hit the post.

Leeds keeper Illan Meslier then needed a fine save of his own at the start of the second half when the recalled Thomas-Asante crossed for Albion skipper Jed Wallace at the near post, only for the Frenchman to touch it on to the post.

Just a minute later, however, Albion’s luck was in when Leeds failed to deal with a near-post corner, Molumby shot at goal and it took two deflections.

The second came off the arm of Thomas-Asante and went in but, with no video assistant referee facility in the English Football League, there was no comeback.

Palmer then kept Leeds at bay when he topped his first-half save by soaring high to his left to magnificently deny James’ curler from 20 yards.

But Leeds finally drew level when James cut back inside, delivered a teasing right-foot cross with his instep, Erik Pieters was caught flat-footed and Ayling timed his jump well to head powerfully home.

Both sides had chances to snatch victory, which would have flattered Albion – but there were no further goals.

Who’s next?

Former Norwich City boss Farke returns to East Anglia next Saturday when Leeds visit Ipswich Town.

Albion, who now have four points from their first three games, host Middlesbrough at The Hawthorns the same day.

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke:

“It’s a hell of a challenge. We were expecting to keep a few of our quality players. We also have a few injuries to our key players which is also unlucky.

“We had to wait so long for the financial restrictions to get some incomings so it’s not been easy. Hopefully we can get better and better as the season goes.

“It’s a long road, a bumpy road, a hell of a task. If it was easy then everybody would do it. And there were many encouraging signs.

“I wasn’t aware their goal was handball. I was thinking it might be, but I was too far away to judge it.

“We can only concentrate on what we can influence and that’s our performance. And I like this attitude, the lads never know when they are beaten.”

West Bromwich Albion head coach Carlos Corberan told BBC Radio WM:

“We wanted to attack more. It was important to play with one striker. We improved massively in the second half.

“We put pressure on them but we conceded chances with our mistakes which gave Leeds the mentality that they could hurt us. And Alex Palmer was important to the cause.

“I liked how the team’s intensity did not decrease after we conceded the goal. We stayed concentrated and we reacted enough and didn’t allow them to keep that momentum and attack us.

“But it is true that we need to avoid the mistakes. Maybe after we scored we were too focused on defending and maybe we should have been more aggressive. That’s the only thing that maybe I will review.”