Leeds United V Swansea

Saturday 29th March 2025 - Elland Road

2024/25 Season

I don't know about anyone else but despite it having been the international break, I still felt as if I was meeting myself coming backwards. I was told to say hello to myself as we pass by each other which made me laugh. It was nice to be interviewed by the Only Leeds Bros from Ireland during the week and I was also interviewed for the Paris 75 documentary that will be in cinemas from 28th May 2025. 50 years since I was there for the European Cup Final when it is still as fresh in my mind now as it was back then. Keep watching for the launch of my new website next week too. I'm so glad I was let down by the previous person because although it has meant I haven't had my website for three years, I am so happy with this new one. It will be work in progress, but it's been well worth waiting for.

It was going to be a poignant day at Elland Road today as it also marks the 25th anniversary next week of the brutal murders of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight in Istanbul. A fantastic tribute on the 25th minute when everyone turned their backs to the pitch as a mark of respect plus the game was stopped too which was good to see.

I had to be at the ground early today as I wasn't going to be in my usual seat in the Kop but in the Eddie Gray suite celebrating my friend Nikki's birthday. Thank you for letting me join in your birthday celebrations which I enjoyed very much, and we had a really good time.  The only downside was going down the steps that led to the hospitality suites at half time, but we couldn't get back into the level three area. Having to go back up two flights of stairs then back down another two to get there wasn't good especially when I've had a dodgy ankle for a few days. I spoke to someone when we got back up to the level five only to be told it was only to level two. When I got back into the stand later, I double checked the sign and there was nothing there to suggest you couldn't get back into any other levels. This will be passed back to the club via the supporter’s advisory board.

Team: Meslier, Ampadu (captain), Struijk, Rodon, James, Aaronson, Bogle, Byram, Rothwell, Piroe, Solomon.

Subs:  Tanaka for Ampadu (58), Joseph for Aaronson (72), Firpo for Byram (72), Ramazani for Solomon (72), Gnonto for James (85).

Subs not used:  Darlow, Schmidt, Guilavogui, Gruev.

Leeds drew 2-2 with Aaronson (1) and Gnonto (86) scoring for Leeds. Swansea equalised for the second time in 90+6 minutes after doing the same in the 64th minute.

Attendance:   35,575, 784 Swansea fans.

Referee: Ben Toner.

Booked:  Ampadu, Tanaka, Gnonto (for taking his shirt off when he scored a minute after coming on as a sub).

I'd gone to the front of the upper east stand to get photos as there was to be a minute's applause for Chris and Kev. As I was getting to my seat two lads asked for their photos, but I said to wait as we'd gone straight on the attack towards the south stand and before we knew it the ball had hit the back of the net. What a fantastic start to the game but in true Leeds United fashion, things went downhill when we conceded a penalty. I didn't think it was one for a minute until I saw a replay later. Rodon did catch him, but he was going out of the penalty area, so it wasn’t a goal scoring opportunity. Did that use to be a rule in the past where they’d wave away a penalty appeal on that basis? I’m not sure if I’ve made it up or whether for once my memory is correct but no doubt someone will enlighten me. As for the penalty, justice prevailed when Meslier dived the right way and saved it. Swansea came back at us very quickly and were very unlucky not to equalise shortly afterwards. They won a free kick in front of us and as they sent the ball into the middle, the ball was headed against the upright and the ball bounced straight back into Meslier’s hands. Phew that was a relief, but it also showed to me that Swansea wouldn’t be no pushover, but I do feel once they were awarded the penalty, that made a difference. As the game progressed some of our players were looking leggy as the effects of the international break once more came back to haunt us.

The second half had kicked off by the time I got back to my seat (by the way those padded seats are a far cry from my usual one in the Kop but are very comfy). We were very unlucky not to get a second goal as James kept the ball in on the by line then Aaronson sent the ball into the middle of the box and Piroe saw the keeper make a good save from his shot. James also saw the keeper make a good save from him. We let Swansea back into the game unexpectedly from a corner. Meslier went up unopposed to catch the ball, dropped it but the first person to react was their player to put the ball into the net. Prior to that he’d made a great save to keep them out then this happened. Gnonto came on as sub and from a corner Struijk saw their keeper make another great save but then Gnonto hit a great shot from the edge of the box to take the lead once again. Swansea had been time wasting and I thought there may be six minutes of injury time but there was seven. After we had got that goal, instead of consolidating the lead and seeing the game out, we did everything to give Swansea the chance to equalise by losing the ball, then the man from our throw in before they equalised once again with six minutes added on. With lots blaming Meslier for this goal too which I don’t, you can see on replays we had six players there who were all ball watching who had already switched off in my opinion. Swansea never gave up and deserved their point to be honest.

Being in hospitality didn’t stop me shouting, singing and being my usual self although a swear word did come out when I got nervous. I thought I may have gone over the top as usual but then got a compliment from a lady in front of me at the end of the game, saying she’d like to be like me in the future. Thanks for that.

With social media in meltdown once again, I felt indifferent but had to be reminded we hadn’t lost but drawn the game. Noel Whelan had asked me before the game what I thought but I said I never predict scores as I always get them wrong plus we’ve been here too many times before. It’s not the end of the world as it is still in our hands now despite us going down to second but now on equal points with Burnley. Just forget we are trying the get promoted Leeds but with Luton being another early kick off next Saturday, we can only see what happens there.

On my way home the conditions were awful with the wind taking my car a few times, which made me wonder if the wind had an impact in the ground. I know when we got into the stand the winds were strong, but it is a possibility however small, that it impacted on Meslier dropping the ball?


LUFC – Marching on Together!