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Swansea City 2-2 Leeds United

Oli McBurnie's header had put Swansea 2-1 ahead before Pablo Hernandez rescued a point for Leeds
Oli McBurnie's header had put Swansea 2-1 ahead before Pablo Hernandez rescued a point for Leeds

Leeds United fought back to preserve their unbeaten start to the season with an exhilarating draw at Swansea City.

Oli McBurnie finished a fine team move to give the vibrant hosts a deserved lead but Kemar Roofe tapped in to level before half-time.

McBurnie restored Swansea's lead with a superb arcing header.

But Leeds substitute Patrick Bamford set up former Swan Pablo Hernandez to sweep in a low equaliser, taking his side to the top of the Championship.

The draw also maintains Swansea's unbeaten record and lifts them to third in the table.

And while their effervescent performance will have encouraged manager Graham Potter, the result will be tinged with the disappointment that the Swans were unable to turn their dominance into victory.

As it was, ending Leeds' perfect start to the season was a commendable achievement in itself, given the Yorkshire club's form before this fixture.

Leeds had won all three of their previous matches with a swagger, scoring nine goals and playing with the high-octane intensity which has defined the career of their world-renowned manager Marcelo Bielsa.

Swansea, however, had ground their way to two victories and a draw, an impressive feat under Potter considering his limited resources after a summer of stunted transfer activity which prompted strong criticism of the club's owners.

The Swans continued to confound their off-field concerns with a strident display here, forcing Leeds into mistakes and keeping possession with quick, crisp passing.

Both those qualities were evident for the opening goal, sparked by Leroy Fer - starting for the first time since an Achilles injury in February.

The Dutch midfielder dispossessed Kalvin Phillips before initiating a flowing move, which included passes from Barrie McKay and Bersant Celina and ended with a prodded finish from McBurnie.

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Swansea City boss Graham Potter on facing Marcelo Bielsa at the Liberty Stadium

Phillips, already booked, was then substituted for Lewis Barker after just 27 minutes as Bielsa readjusted his rattled side.

The bold move was effective, as Leeds settled and equalised against the run of play as Jamie Shackleton's low cross was converted by Roofe from close range.

The Liberty Stadium was momentarily silenced but, once Swansea started the second half with the same adventure with which they had approached the first, the atmosphere crackled once more.

McBurnie, a tall and rangy nuisance of a striker, led the attack brilliantly.

The Scotland international's endeavour was rewarded when he stretched backwards to meet Martin Olsson's excellent cross and loop his header over Bailey Peacock-Farrell and into the far corner.

The 22-year-old was close to a hat-trick against the city of his birth but was thwarted by Peacock-Farrell's fingertip save - and it was to prove crucial.

When the ball later spun loose on the left wing, Leeds substitute Bamford beat Mike van der Hoorn and raced into the penalty area before crossing for Hernandez, who finished smartly but showed little sign of celebration against his former side.

Swansea still had time for a late chance to win but the electric Bersant Celina saw his shot well saved by Peacock-Farrell.

Swansea City manager Graham Potter said:

"In football you take what you get. For us we focus on the overall performance of the team, what we brought in terms of our character, our attitude and also our quality and courage. We played against a good team and we showed a really good level.

"I'm proud of the players, proud of what they did and proud of the environment we created here. I thought it was a great atmosphere, which contributed to a really good game.

"We had a good intensity to our play. We had a good idea of what we wanted to do and we also had courage as well. Overall, really proud of the players and happy we've taken a step forward."

Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa said:

"We didn't defend very well and this did not allow us to dominate the game with regularity. In the first half Swansea dominated the game.

"It took us almost 25 minutes to get into the game. After their second goal we had greater stability. After we scored again at 2-2 we dominated the game.

"We have won this game and we have lost it too. It was a nice game to watch. There are some important aspects we have to correct."

Line-ups

Swansea

  • 25Mulder
  • 26Naughton
  • 5van der Hoorn
  • 22Rodon
  • 3OlssonSubstituted forAsoroat 83'minutes
  • 27Fulton
  • 8FerSubstituted forCarrollat 74'minutes
  • 23Roberts
  • 10Celina
  • 19McKaySubstituted forMonteroat 64'minutes
  • 9McBurnie

Substitutes

  • 7Montero
  • 13Benda
  • 14Carroll
  • 16Asoro
  • 20James
  • 21Grimes
  • 30Dhanda

Leeds

  • 1Peacock-Farrell
  • 46Shackleton
  • 28Berardi
  • 2Ayling
  • 3Douglas
  • 23PhillipsBooked at 13minsSubstituted forBakerat 28'minutesBooked at 37mins
  • 19Hernández
  • 14SáizBooked at 89mins
  • 43Klich
  • 10AlioskiSubstituted forHarrisonat 45'minutes
  • 7RoofeBooked at 27minsSubstituted forBamfordat 64'minutes

Substitutes

  • 9Bamford
  • 20Pearce
  • 22Harrison
  • 27Blackman
  • 34Baker
  • 35Shaughnessy
  • 49Rey
Referee:
Andy Davies
Attendance:
20,860

Match Stats

Home TeamSwanseaAway TeamLeeds
Possession
Home44%
Away56%
Shots
Home12
Away8
Shots on Target
Home4
Away3
Corners
Home2
Away5
Fouls
Home13
Away17

Live Text

Match ends, Swansea City 2, Leeds United 2.

Full Time

Second Half ends, Swansea City 2, Leeds United 2.

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Delay in match Mike van der Hoorn (Swansea City) because of an injury.

Samuel Sáiz (Leeds United) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Foul by Jay Fulton (Swansea City).

Corner, Leeds United. Conceded by Kyle Naughton.

Jack Harrison (Leeds United) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Foul by Mike van der Hoorn (Swansea City).

Booking

Samuel Sáiz (Leeds United) is shown the yellow card.

Foul by Samuel Sáiz (Leeds United).

Jay Fulton (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Attempt saved. Bersant Celina (Swansea City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Oliver McBurnie with a headed pass.

Offside, Leeds United. Gaetano Berardi tries a through ball, but Patrick Bamford is caught offside.

Barry Douglas (Leeds United) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Foul by Joel Asoro (Swansea City).

Attempt missed. Mike van der Hoorn (Swansea City) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Bersant Celina with a cross following a set piece situation.

Foul by Gaetano Berardi (Leeds United).

Oliver McBurnie (Swansea City) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Substitution

Substitution, Swansea City. Joel Asoro replaces Martin Olsson.

Goal!

Goal! Swansea City 2, Leeds United 2. Pablo Hernández (Leeds United) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Patrick Bamford with a cross.

Foul by Luke Ayling (Leeds United).

Mike van der Hoorn (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Corner, Leeds United. Conceded by Connor Roberts.

Foul by Mateusz Klich (Leeds United).

Bersant Celina (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Substitution

Substitution, Swansea City. Tom Carroll replaces Leroy Fer.

Corner, Leeds United. Conceded by Jay Fulton.

Gaetano Berardi (Leeds United) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Foul by Oliver McBurnie (Swansea City).

Foul by Barry Douglas (Leeds United).

Connor Roberts (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Substitution

Substitution, Leeds United. Patrick Bamford replaces Kemar Roofe.

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Substitution

Substitution, Swansea City. Jefferson Montero replaces Barrie McKay.

Delay in match Lewis Baker (Leeds United) because of an injury.

Lewis Baker (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Jay Fulton (Swansea City).

Corner, Swansea City. Conceded by Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

Attempt saved. Oliver McBurnie (Swansea City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Barrie McKay.

goal

As It Stands

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Leeds4310114710
2Middlesbrough431082610
3Swansea42205328
4West Brom421113767
5Brentford32108267
6Aston Villa32107437
7Bolton32105327
8Nottm Forest41305416
9Derby420267-16
10Sheff Utd420257-26
11Bristol City41216515
12Millwall31204315
13Blackburn31203215
14Wigan31117704
15Preston31113304
16Hull411257-24
17Rotherham4103410-63
18Birmingham302123-12
19Stoke302146-22
20Ipswich402236-32
21Norwich301268-21
22Sheff Wed301236-31
23Reading300314-30
24QPR4004213-110
View full Championship table

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