Leeds and Brentford played out a stalemate to end all stalemates as both teams took their point and ran in a forgettable 0-0 draw.
With their relegation rivals playing on Sunday, Leeds had the chance to move six points clear of the drop but never really played with enough risk to trouble an equally stubborn Brentford side. They are now four points clear of 18th-place West Ham.
This was a missed opportunity too for the Bees, who had seen both Liverpool and Chelsea beaten earlier on Saturday but looked very content with a point which leaves them in seventh, three points behind Liverpool.
The total expected goals figure of 1.00 was the fourth lowest seen in any Premier League game this season as Leeds failed to score for the fourth game running.
The home side had plenty of possession but struggled to breakdown Brentford’s disciplined 3-5-2 line-up. Apart from Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s looping back header midway through the first half which was cleared away by Michael Kayode there was nothing really to worry the Brentford defence.
Brentford midfielder Mathias Jensen could only find the side-netting when he sprang clear in the penalty area at the start of the second period – one of only two shots they mustered after the break.
Leeds huffed and puffed with little effect in the closing stages and they will be looking over their shoulders on Sunday when Tottenham play Forest at home and West Ham play at Aston Villa, with both games live on Sky Sports.
A game already forgotten.
Farke: We’re not dancing on the table with a draw
Leeds boss Daniel Farke speaking to Sky Sports:
“After a draw we’re not dancing on the table, that’s for sure. But I just have compliments for my players. You could see today why Brentford are position seven [in the table], very established Premier League side, rock solid at the back. There’s a little amount of teams that can sit with our physicality here. They have quality in attack as well. It was a complicated game, but important not to run into counter-attacks and lose such a game.
“It’s also three in a row without conceding and that’s quite important. We are not the side who cuts opponents to pieces due to individual quality. We have to be honest, so we have to bring our flexibility and our physicality, and our tactical flexibility. A little bit the instinct, it’s missing. But credit to Brentford, they defended well. Overall this is how you have to behave in a relegation battle: be rock solid, show good mentality. It’s a small step forward.”
