Today’s early kick-off at Ewood Park between Blackburn and Leeds United promised to a lively one with a lot at stake.
A win for the visiting Whites would temporarily lift them to the top of the table, whilst three points for the home side would fire them into the play-off places ahead of this afternoon’s main glut of games.
It is the first game after the recent international break, one where Leeds United were looking to kick on with the two-week lay-off giving them a chance to nurse injured duo Gaetano Berardi and Kemar Roofe back to fitness and back into the side.
In fairness, United didn’t even get into the blocks fully, let alone out of them, before Blackburn took the lead from an early corner.
2′ Goal Blackburn. Danny Graham scores for the home side
1-0 | #BLALEE
— Leeds United (@LUFC) October 20, 2018
Simple routine – ball in from the corner, Danny Graham gets a run on the Leeds United defenders; 1-0 from a glanced header. All too simple, all too Leeds.
That early goal was also an early kick in the teeth for the near-8,000 legion of travelling Leeds United fans. It obviously wasn’t the start they wanted, and they were quick enough to voice their opinions over on Twitter.
Here’s what some of them had to say and how some of them reacted:
— Jake Anderton (@JakeAnderton) October 20, 2018
When you take the early kick off in your Acca and they gettingbeat 2mins in. pic.twitter.com/rza9ulAXTc
— NatalieNisbet (@NatalieNibble) October 20, 2018
Why do they let this happen ,it makes the rest of the game even harder than it is already.
— christo (@christomofo) October 20, 2018
Typical, asleep first 5 mins, then about 22 mins then 45 mins……watch this space.
— Steve Wainwright (@sa_wainwright) October 20, 2018
Shocking midfield and defensive performance so far…absolutely pathetic.. Blackburn are carving thru at will.
— mark gray (@cmgray14) October 20, 2018
How can anyone blame saiz for that??? Yeah he lost the ball but it was very poor defending from a corner
— Connor Smith (@connor_smith94) October 20, 2018
— Ash North (@ItsBigAsh) October 20, 2018
Who should be marking their centre forward…..nowhere to be seen. They are targeting Dallas- he is not a full back ffs.
— Graham Bloor (@graham_bloor) October 20, 2018
The disappointment there, in reaction, is palpable. What they early goal did do was to give Leeds United more of a sense of urgency. The Whites pushed on and began to create chances, testing the home side. It was a game that was beginning to open out, both teams having opportunities as the half wore on.
You get the feeling that it will be a game that doesn’t end 1-0; not with the amount of chances that are being created.