Leeds United fought back from 3-1 down to beat Bournemouth in a remarkable game played out in an electric atmosphere at Elland Road.
Leeds were looking to build on last week’s victory at Liverpool and they got off to the perfect start when Rodrigo scored from the penalty spot after Marcos Senesi brought down Crysencio Summerville after just 51 seconds.
But their dream starts quickly turned sour as Bournemouth equalised from their first serious attack through Marcus Tavernier’s volley before Philip Billing lashed past Illan Meslier to give the Cherries the lead.
In a breathless encounter, Dominic Solanke made it 3-1 early in the second half with a delicious finish, only for Leeds, who were booed off the pitch by their own fans at half-time, to hit back with two goals in eight minutes.
Twenty-year-old substitute Sam Greenwood lifted spirits with a spectacular finish from 20 yards before captain Liam Cooper made it 3-3 with a powerful header from a corner.
The winner, in a game dripping with entertainment, came from Summerville, with the 21-year-old keeping his composure to beat Mark Travers following a great pass by substitute Wilfried Gnonto for his third goal in as many games.
This was, quite simply, an incredible match and the atmosphere at full-time could not have been more different to the one at half-time when boos rung from all four sides of the ground following a dismal first 45-minute showing by Leeds.
Jesse Marsch celebrated on the pitch with his players as fireworks lit up the night sky after what the Leeds boss will hope is a season-changing result.
The win at Liverpool helped create some breathing space for Marsch after a poor run of form – but the goodwill did not last and supporters made their feelings known as they trailed at the break.
Yet after Solanke made it 3-1, the home side scored three times in a remarkable spell which completely transformed the mood at Elland Road and lifted the Whites up to 12th in the table.
To eradicate mistakes, Marsch still has his work cut out but the character and determination of his players cannot be questioned.
Tottenham meets Leeds next in the top flight on 12 November and Marsch’s side can travel to London for their final game before the break for the World Cup with spirits high.
These are worrying times for Bournemouth who are in desperate need of a lift after a fourth successive defeat.
Having lost 3-2 to Tottenham after blowing a 2-0 lead last weekend, they let another two-goal lead slip to lose again. The Cherries are the first side in Premier League history to suffer back-to-back defeats in the competition despite leading by two goals in both games.
Bournemouth was eighth in the table after a 2-1 home win over Leicester on 8 October but now find themselves down to 15th – two points above the relegation zone – after a defeat that will hurt badly.
There is frustration on and off the pitch. Bournemouth’s prospective new owner, American businessman Bill Foley, is still awaiting Premier League approval to take over the club.
On the pitch, interim boss Gary O’Neil must find a way of stopping the alarming number of goals his side is letting in.
They have now conceded 32 goals in just 14 matches – and that’s far too many if they want to steer clear of danger.
source – BBC
