‘Turned on the style’: Media wowed by one Leeds player’s ‘electric’ display last night despite loss

Thu 22 December 2022 7:15, UK

Leeds United fell to a 4-2 defeat to AS Monaco in Wednesday evening’s friendly at Elland Road.

With the Premier League resuming just after Christmas, the Whites played out their final mid-season friendly.

Jesse Marsch made four changes to his starting XI, with Robin Koch making his first appearance since November.

The German defender opened the scoring for Leeds on 11 minutes, heading home from Marc Roca’s corner.

However, Monaco equalised with their first real attack of the match, Breel Embolo finishing off a sweeping team move.

Leeds pushed hard for a second, but had to make do with being level at the break.

And early on in the second half, the visitors went ahead.

Gelson Martins fired home after latching onto a pinpoint Ismail Jakobs cross.

Jakobs then got himself on the scoresheet, finding space in the box from a corner to rifle past Kristoffer Klaesson.

Leeds would soon concede a fourth as Martins played a well-timed ball across the box for Embolo to get his second.

The Whites ended up getting a consolation as Wilfried Gnonto was brought down in the box for a penalty.

Joe Gelhardt stepped up and made no mistake with a great effort into the top corner.

7/10s all round for Gnonto

Although Leeds were on the receiving end of a defeat, a few players impressed in the match.

Gnonto was one of those, with media outlets praising the 19-year-old’s efforts.

The gave him 7 out of 10.

‘Struggled to get involved in the first half as most of the Leeds threat came down the right,’ they wrote.

‘But by far United’s brightest spark after the break, charging forward and winning a late penalty after continually going close.’

The also went with 7, saying Gnonto ‘turned on the style in the latter stages and won the penalty’.

completed a hat-trick of 7s for the Whites ace.

‘Some more electric dribbling, just not in the same quantity as last week,’ they wrote.

‘Came alive in the final 15 minutes as others tired.’