Leeds secure first Premier League win in seven-goal thriller with Fulham

Mike McGrath
·19-min read
Leeds United's Helder Costa scores their first goal - Leeds vs Fulham, Premier League: live score and latest updates - REUTERS
Leeds United's Helder Costa scores their first goal - Leeds vs Fulham, Premier League: live score and latest updates - REUTERS

Marcelo Bielsa’s team are fast becoming known as the entertainers of the Premier League on their long-awaited return. They have waited 16 years to get back to the top table and have been making up for lost time.

After a high-scoring defeat on the opening weekend of the season, on Saturday they were on the right end of another seven-goal thriller in the first top-flight match at Elland Road since the days of Lucas Radebe and Alan Smith in 2004.

Bielsa had vowed not to compromise his style when his team were promoted from the Championship but he may have had second thoughts as he paced up around his technical area, throwing his arms out in frustration and barking at his assistants as his team almost threw away a 4-1 lead.

After Helder Costa’s opener was cancelled out by Aleksandar Mitrovic’s penalty, Leeds had looked in total control when Mateusz Klich and Patrick Bamford found the net and Costa scored another.

There was no suggestion of Bielsa sitting back on his lead, allowing Fulham hope when they pulled back goals through Bobby De Cordova-Reid and another from Mitrovic, with Bielsa suggesting his team need to work on their defending.

“We are worried,” Bielsa said. “It is not like it is something we don't expect happening but we’re working to prevent conceding these types of goals and as the competition goes on we will be able to improve.

“But it is an error to think you should stop doing the things that made you successful once you are leading. What the match showed was that we have to continue to do the things that made us successful in the first place rather than putting players behind the ball.”

Despite losing Pablo Hernandez to a groin problem during high-intensity warm-up, Leeds picked up where they left off at Anfield last week when they pushed Liverpool all the way.

Their opener came from a corner by Kalvin Phillips which saw Harrison Reed lose his bearings as team-mate Michael Hector jumped in front of him. After the ball bounced off Reed’s head, it was controlled by Costa before his volley crashed in off the crossbar.

Appearing in control of the clash between two of last season’s promoted teams from the Championship, the scores were levelled after an error from Robin Koch. The Germany centre-back tried to pull out of his challenge on Joe Bryan but his right foot was raised and impeded his opponent.

Mitrovic was sent off for an elbow in this fixture last season but had barely been in the action this time around before smashing his penalty low and under Illan Meslier.

Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic scores their third goal - REUTERS
Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic scores their third goal - REUTERS

It was a soft penalty awarded by Anthony Taylor, who was caught in traffic ahead of the game, but that warning was not heeded by Bryan four minutes before the interval. He put his hands on Bamford as he tried to get onto a cross by Jack Harrison, with Klich rolling it past Alphonse Areola on his Premier League debut.

Bamford’s goal came just after the break, side-footing into the bottom corner after a pass from Klich sent him through. He then set up Costa’s second goal with a jet-propelled run down the left, leaving Denis Odoi behind before crossing for his team-mate to stroke into the top corner of the net.

De Cordova-Reid came off the bench and found the bottom corner after being sent through by Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa. Mitrovic headed home from Kenny Tete’s cross to ensure a nervy finish where Neeskens Kebano hit the post. But Fulham paid the price for their defensive errors earlier.

“It's not about training, it's a mindset, a bulb that goes off in your head when you know it is a critical moment,” said manager Scott Parker. “If you are in a relaxed mode and can't sense the danger, you're in trouble. You need to show another side to you and it comes from deep in the belly. We're too nice.”

03:54 PM

Full-time: Leeds 4 Fulham 3

That's it. Another entertaining thriller involving Leeds United, but this time they are on the right side of the 4-3 scoreline, beating their promoted rivals Fulham at the first Premier League match at Elland Road for 16 years.

In the end, the home side deserved it, but there is hope for Fulham if they can shore up their defensive contingent.

03:53 PM

90+3 min: Leeds 4 Fulham 3

Fulham throwing everything at it here, but there's a distinct lack of action around the goal as it stands.

Dallash heads away, before one final push from Fulham. Odoi drives forward and unleashes a long-range effort, but it's high and wide.

03:51 PM

90+2 min: Leeds 4 Fulham 3

Harrison and Klich cause Fulham problems down the left, but Harrison looks to run down the clock in the corner.

His attempt is pretty unsuccessful, though, as Fulham win a free-kick and try to launch back up the pitch.

03:50 PM

90 min: Leeds 4 Fulham 3

Mitrovic has been booked for what looked like dissent.

Costa and Klich combine nicely down the right, with the latter putting a ball into the box which is intercepted well by Hector.

Tete booked, too, for hacking at Harrison off the ball. 

Four minutes of stoppage time for Fulham to find something.

03:46 PM

87 min: Leeds 4 Fulham 3

Lemina is at fault again, as he bundles into the back of Roberts on the edge of the Fulham box. Free-kick to Leeds in an dangerous spot.

Harrison and Philips standing over, and it's the former who strikes, but the wall stands firm.

03:45 PM

84 min: Leeds 4 Fulham 3

Anguissa has absolutely worked his socks off this afternoon, so it's hardly surprising that he's down with cramp.

Lemina is caught dawdling at the back, but Alioski's ball to Klich, who had the goal at his mercy, was a poor one, and the chance goes begging.

03:41 PM

80 min: Leeds 4 Fulham 3

Tete shoves Alioski over and Leeds will have the chance to put the ball into the Fulham box.

Phillips does so, but it's headed away, and Leeds are forced to play back to Meslier.

03:37 PM

77 min: Leeds 4 Fulham 3

It's like basketball. Meslier plays Harrison in again from the back, but Tete does enough to put him off his shot, which hits the side-netting.

03:34 PM

75 min: Leeds 4 Fulham 3

Good double save from Areola. Firstly getting across his body to deny Harrison, but blocking the follow-up, too.

Fulham counter and Mitrovic hits one into the ground on the volley, but Meslier saves easily.

End-to-end stuff!

03:33 PM

72 min: Leeds 4 Fulham 3

Still 18 minutes to go, and it's pretty impossible to tell which way it's going to go as it enters a nervy period.

Both teams struggle to keep hold of the ball.

Sloppy from Leeds as, despite their intricate football, Klich is caught offside.

03:29 PM

69 min: Leeds 4 Fulham 3

Leeds are on the ropes.

Anguissa as catapulted a strike towards Meslier's near post and the Leeds keeper looks beaten - he's saved by the post.

Fulham come back through Tete, and Mitrovic sniffs around the back post dangerously but Koch just about saves the day.

03:26 PM

Gooooaaaallll!!!!!

What on earth! Mitrovic has brought Fulham to within one.

De Cordova-Reid with a delectable ball in behind, and after Fulham seem to have lost momentum they find Mitrovic at the far post who bullet-headers in.

Game on!

03:25 PM

66 min: Leeds 4 Fulham 2

Anguissa fouls Tyler-Roberts deep into Fulham territory, and Leeds will have a free-kick wide on the right-hand side.

Koch gets his head on the end of Phillips' cross but it flies over the bar.

03:22 PM

Gooooaaaallll!!!

Chaos. Fulham get one back. A great finish from De Cordova-Reid, on for Onomah.

A silky touch from Anguissa takes him away from Philips, and he threads a ball through to Fulham's substitute, and he drives the ball low and hard past Meslier into the far post.

There's Fulham's fight - but how much more have they got left?

03:20 PM

60 min: Leeds 4 Fulham 1

It took Leeds 14 seconds to put the ball in the back of the net from when it left their keeper. True efficiency.

Tete tries to put a ball into the Leeds box but it takes a deflection and Meslier can cradle with ease.

03:17 PM

Goooooaaaaallllll

Leeds are rocking!

Fulham enjoy a bit of time on the ball, but Leeds' sweeping move is lethal.

Meslier pings it down to Bamford on the left and he goes past Odoi, heads into the box, and pulls it back to Costa who slams another one into the roof of the net. His second.

Question marks over Hector, who was out of position trying to pick off Meslier's pass to Bamford.

03:13 PM

53 min: Leeds 3 Fulham 1

Ayling gets caught in possession and Fulham look to counter.

Mitrovic holds the ball up on the edge of the box, and he tries to do it all himself, attempting a curling strike past the defence, but he couldn't get the power and Meslier is untroubled.

03:11 PM

53 min: Leeds 3 Fulham 1

Scott Parker spoke before the match about how much fight his side have and, well, they're going to have to show a fair bit of it here to come back from two goals down away from home.

Leeds come again. A tempting ball into the box from Ayling compels Areola to come off his line and claim well.

03:10 PM

Gooooaaaaalll!

An incisive ball from Koch puts Bamford in behind, and his first touch opens his body up and he slots past Areola at the far post.

Easy as you like.

03:08 PM

48 min: Leeds 2 Fulham 1

More good stuff from Fulham, as Bryan finds Kamara on the wide right. His ball into the box attracts Mitrovic, but the big Serbian cannot quite get there.

He shows his appreciation to Kamara, however.

03:05 PM

Back underway

And Fulham look purposeful and comfortable at the start of the second period.

03:04 PM

Half-time change

Roberts is coming on for Rodrigo, for Leeds.

Unsure currently whether that's tactical or an injury. More news when we have it.

02:57 PM

What Leeds are dealing with

02:50 PM

Half-time: Leeds 2 Fulham 1

Two minutes of stoppage time play out without incident, and Leeds head into the break a goal to the good, but it has been far from plain sailing, despite the thunderous start.

Since Fulham's equaliser from the penalty spot, Leeds have looked shakier and have struggled to keep hold of the ball. They are just about deserving of the lead, but Fulham will be full of optimism heading into the pause.

02:48 PM

45 min: Leeds 2 Fulham 1

Mitrovic has a dance on the edge of the Leeds box before linking up with Reed, as Fulham search for an equaliser before half-time.

Onomah shows silky feet in the box but a heavy touch from Bryan gives Leeds a sniff, and they win it back.

But the home side give it away in their own half - again. That's happened quite often in the last 10 minutes. 

Reed has a pop from range but it's very speculative and doesn't trouble Meslier.

02:45 PM

43 min: Leeds 2 Fulham 1

Anguissa and Tete attempt to combine down the right, but the former's pass has slightly too much on it after a fantastic run down the tramlines from the right-back, getting away from Bamford.

This is not as one-sided as it was about 20 minutes ago.

02:42 PM

Gooooaaaalllllll

Areola went right, but Klich went left.

Leeds back in the lead.

02:41 PM

39 min: Leeds 1 Fulham 1

Another penalty! This time for Leeds.

Bamford has been pushed by Bryan, and now Leeds ave the chance to re-gain the lead.

02:40 PM

37 min: Leeds 1 Fulham 1

Well, Fulham seem to have woken up after that goal.

They look sharper and more energetic.

02:36 PM

Goooooooaaaaaall!

And Mitrovic scores. It wasn't the greatest penalty, and the keeper might have done better, but we're back level.

A lifeline for Fulham who have been outplayed so far.

02:35 PM

33 min: Leeds 1 Fulham 0

Penalty to Fulham!

Koch has caught Bryan in the area as he tries to nudge the ball past him.

VAR is checking. Check done. Here's Mitrovic from the spot.

02:32 PM

31 min: Leeds 1 Fulham 0

But that's better from the visitors.

Anguissa powers forward down the right and, after being dispossessed, Leeds give the ball away sloppily. Fulham look to exploit but Mitrovic fouls a Leeds defender in trying to get on the end of a Tete cross.

02:31 PM

28 min: Leeds 1 Fulham 0

Dallas plays a delightful through ball, tempting Bamford onto it who has got in behind Fulham, but Areola again comes out swiftly to pounce on the ball.

All Leeds as it stands.

02:28 PM

25 min: Leeds 1 Fulham 0

More danger for Fulham, as a searing header from Koch forces Areola to tip over the bar.

Leeds are camped out deep inside Fulham territory, and Ayling's has a sniff of a chance at the far post, but Areola gets out well to snuff out the danger.

02:24 PM

22 min: Leeds 1 Fulham 0

A superb diagonal long-ball from Hector finds Onomah to the left of the Leeds box, but he's lacking in support and the attacking momentum is stunted.

Anguissa winds up a long-range effort but it's well blocked by Cooper and Leeds clear.

Fulham are lacking a touch of attacking fluency, here.

02:21 PM

Leeds' fabulous start

02:21 PM

19 min: Leeds 1 Fulham 0

A free-kick well punched away by Areola.

But back come Leeds through Klich, building pressure inside the Fulham half, but the visitors thwart the danger.

02:19 PM

17 min: Leeds 1 Fulham 0

Fulham look to build from the back, but Tete's pass crashes straight into the back of Reed. It's all a bit clumsy and clunky from the visitors currently.

Philips wins a free-kick as Onomah brings him down on the right. Philips will send his own free-kick into the box.

02:16 PM

12 min: Leeds 1 Fulham 0

A chance for Fulham! Hector gets goal side and puts in a good header, but great pressure from Koch sees the ball sail over the bar after a deflection.

02:13 PM

10 min: Leeds 1 Fulham 0

Fulham look to press forward again, but Leeds' defensive pressure is restricting their rhythm.

But they win a corner on the right after a purposeful drive from Anguissa

02:10 PM

7 min: Leeds 1 Fulham 0

What a start for Leeds at Elland Road, returning to the Premier League.

Fulham look to build some momentum, but Onomah is dispossessed on the edge of the Leeds box.

02:07 PM

Goooooooaaaaaaaallllll!

Costa gets past Cavaleiro down the right, winning a corner for Leeds.

Fulham think they clear the danger, but the ball comes back to Costa unmarked at the back post, and he thrashes a left-foot strike into the roof of the net at the near post.

What a start!

02:05 PM

4 min: Leeds 0 Fulham 0

An audacious effort from Bryan - trying to replicate his Wembley effort - and he was not far off Meslier's near post.

02:04 PM

2 min: Leeds 0 Fulham 0

Odoi surges with the ball towards halfway and is brought down early on by Bamford.

Captain Cooper drags down Mitrovic on the edge of the Leeds box, too, and Fulham have a free-kick in a dangerous position.

02:01 PM

Kick-off

And we're away! Fulham to kick-off.

01:55 PM

Five minutes from kick-off

The first time Premier League football has graced Elland Road, Leeds, since 2004.

Glad to be back.

01:49 PM

Fulham's challenge

01:44 PM

Some snaps from Elland Road

...where the teams are warming up

Patrick Bamford - GETTY IMAGES
Patrick Bamford - AP
Luke Ayling - REUTERS

01:30 PM

Pre-match reading

Chief Sports Writer Oliver Brown was full of praise for Marcelo Bielsa after the opening weekend of Premier League fixtures. You can read that here.

When it comes to Bielsa cultists, too much can drive a man insane, as Jerry Lee Lewis put it. One day he is the unknowable mystic, the next he is the dishevelled figure browsing three-for-the-price-of-two deals on the canned tuna aisle in Morrisons. But his “El Loco” image is a powerful boon for Leeds, on which they are already trading. His signature bucket, which received its Premier League debut on Saturday night, came complete with a club crest and the branding of Argentina’s President Energy: the club’s first international energy partner, no less. 
Marcelo Bielsa - REUTERS

01:12 PM

Meanwhile at Goodison

Everton are currently beating 10-man West Brom 5-2 - with Slaven Bilic being sent to the stands at half-time.

01:06 PM

Team news

One change to the Leeds side that beat Liverpool last week, as captain Liam Cooper returns, as predicted.

Leeds (4-1-4-1)​: Meslier, Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Dallas, Phillips, Helder Costa, Hernandez, Klich, Harrison, Bamford.
Subs: Poveda-Ocampo, Alioski, Roberts, Rodrigo, Struijk, Shackleton, Caprile.

Meanwhile, Mitrovic takes the captain's armband for Fulham, and there are two Premier League debuts!

Fulham (4-2-3-1)​: Areola, Tete, Hector, Odoi, Bryan, Zambo, Reed, Ivan Cavaleiro, Onomah, Kamara, Mitrovic.
Subs: Kebano, Cairney, Knockaert, Rodak, Ream, Reid, Lemina.

11:26 AM

Good afternoon

Hello and welcome to the first of Telegraph Sport's two live Premier League matches, as newly-promoted Leeds host newly-promoted Fulham at Elland Road.

It's the battle of the Premier League new boys and, if the first weekend of action was anything to go by, you would have to say that Marcelo Bielsa's men are favourites to beat the south-west Londoners. Leeds pushed champions Liverpool the whole way in an enthralling fixture at Anfield, with only a late Mo Salah penalty - his second of the match - sparing Merseyside blushes. Fulham, meanwhile, received a bit of a pasting at home to Arsenal. Welcome back to the party.

But the past is the past and both sides will be desperate for a win today, to get their season up and running, preventing an early-season slide to the foot of the table, a position from which the newly-promoted teams seldom recover.

It is a theme Scott Parker touched on ahead of today's fixture, when he told reporters that his team will not be lying down without a fight.

When asked if Saturday afternoon's clash, for which he has no new injury concerns, is a more useful gauge of how they may fare in the division when measured against the loss to Arsenal, Parker replied: "Yeah, definitely.

"(But) saying that, we want to be competitive in those games (too). Every game we go into we want to be competitive and get something out of the game.

"Of course, this weekend we go to another promoted team, a team that won the division last year, very handsomely, who have spent a lot of money to improve the team even more.

"The challenge for us is we want to go in and try and get a result in this game, like we will do every game this year, so we'll try and do that and plan accordingly to get a result."

Meanwhile, Leeds captain Liam Cooper is hoping to make his first appearance of the season in the home game against Fulham. Bielsa, too, has no fresh injury concerns.

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