Swansea City vs Leeds United – 5 Swans takeaways from the game

It was an enthralling encounter last night at the Liberty Stadium as Swansea and Leeds United fought out an entertaining 2-2 draw – a fair result for both sides.

Leeds had run rampant through their opening three fixtures, turning sides over to such a degree that their football, at times, bordered on the arrogant. However, Swansea didn’t allow Leeds United to play their expansive game of football, one that had swept Stoke City, Derby County and Rotherham United away..

Swansea simply turned Leeds’ strengths against them. However, the tactics employed by the Swans negated much of Leeds’ game, causing them untold difficulties. Whilst Marcelo Bielsa might be a master tactician, Graham Potter showed that he has the nous to counter other sides’ threats – that was evident from the off really.

It wasn’t a bad game from Swansea’s point of view, even though they did surrender the lead twice and let Leeds United back into the game. Here’s five takeaways from last night from a Swansea perspective.

Swansea City – 5 takeaway points

Oliver McBurnie: Determination saw Swansea manage to hold on to striker McBurnie despite concerted efforts from Leeds United and Rangers to entice him away from the Liberty Stadium. Whatever was promised to him to keep him in South Wales is likely to benefit the Swans this campaign. His two goals last night showed his importance to the side. Both were taken calmly and dispatched in a measured manner and Swansea fans can rest assured that there are many more on the way for the young Scot.

Potter magic: Just like his fictional namesake Harry, there’s magic inside Swan’s boss Graham Potter. The former Southampton full-back signed on as Swansea manager following the Welsh side’s final day relegation from the Premier League. The 43-year-old joined from Swedish side Ostersunds FK, Potter guiding them from the Swedish regional leagues to the Allsvenskan – winning the Swedish cup along the way. His tactics last night were spot on, stymying Leeds United’s Bielsa-led expansive football whilst also showing a distinct threat themselves. Spot-on tactics will allow Potter to adapt to different sides they face, not many will play the game that Leeds United attempted last night.

Defensive frailties: Two Oliver McBurnie goals gave Swansea two leads in last night’s game; two lapses of attention gave Leeds United two equalisers. It’s as simple as that to put into words – defensive lapses allowed Leeds back into the game. First youngster Jamie Shackleton was allowed to get behind the Swansea defence and put in a cut-back cross that led to Kemar Roofe’s equaliser. Then Mike van der Hoorn allowed Patrick Bamford to turn him with ease, gallop away and put another low ball into the Swansea area. The Swansea defence didn’t react quickly enough to this danger, allowing former Swan Pablo Hernandez to guide the ball in for Leeds’ second equaliser of the night.

Bersant Celina: Quite simply put – WOW! Swansea have a right player on their hands here in 21-year-old Kosovan international Celina. Not only that but he arrived at the club from Manchester City for a relative pittance of £3million rising by a further £1million for performance-based bonuses. Money well spent on last night’s performance alone – Leeds United simply struggled to cope with him. His runs, both timing and pace, were a constant thorn in Leeds’ side. His passes and pass selection were another menace the visiting Whites had to deal with. He brought others into the game, was hard to contain and will continue to be so for many Championship sides this season. Only a smart save by Leeds United stopper Bailey Peacock-Farrell stopped him scoring last night.

Swansea will be up there: A hard-fought draw against a Leeds United side fully in their stride last night was evidence enough to suggest that Swansea will be in the mix for promotion when it comes to the season’s end. Watching Swansea last night it was easy to see the Premier League aspects not only in the players that they have at their disposal but also in the way that they go about their game. They’ll not lose many playing the way they do and must be considered amongst the favourites for at least a play-off place come may 2019.

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