Leeds moved eight points clear of the drop zone after a hard fought, yet entertaining draw against Southampton on Saturday. To say the game was end to end, would be an understatement. It was summed up brilliantly by Saints boss Ralph Hasenhüttl who described the match as Ping-Pong. Leeds had much the better of the opening exchanges. Llorente and James both wasted guilt edged opportunities to take the lead, but as we have seen so many times this season, the final product just wasn't there. The Welshman also had an opportunity to tee up Raphinha, but decided to go for glory himself from a difficult angle.

Leeds took the lead on the half hour mark. Raphinha brilliantly managed to keep the ball in play on the edge of the by-line, before crossing in speculatively into the Saints penalty area. Despite the disparity in height (of a foot) the pressure of Dan James caused Frazer Forster to palm the ball, straight into the path of Jack Harrison who gratefully accepted his sixth goal of the campaign.

The visitors produced some fine football of their own. A mixture of last gasp defending and fine goalkeeping denied Elyounoussi and Adams from getting on the scoresheet in the first half. Hasenhüttl's side were desperate not to lose their fourth game on the trot, and were rewarded three minutes into the second half. Ayling bought down Walker-Peters on the edge of the Leeds penalty box, 25 yards from goal. The opportunity couldn't have been better for specialist set piece taker Ward-Prowse. He brilliantly bent the ball over the Leeds wall, and into the corner of the net.

Both sides had opportunities to claim maximum points, though in fairness a draw was the right result. Saints stopped the rot, and Leeds edged further away from the drop zone. It was great to see Cooper and Phillips return to action, though I had hoped the England star's second half introduction may have influenced the game a little more. Rodrigo flourishing now that Jesse Marsch has removed his shackles showed vision, pace and creativity at the weekend, especially in the first half.

	Line Up		Nat	Match Events
		Meslier, Illan Goalkeeper
		Ayling, Luke Defender
		Llorente, Diego Defender
		Cooper, Liam Defender
		Dallas, Stuart Defender
		Klich, Mateusz Midfielder
		Forshaw, Adam Midfielder
		Dias Belloli, Raphinha Midfielder
		Moreno, Rodrigo Forward
		Harrison, Jack Midfielder
		James, Daniel Midfielder
	Subs		Nat	Match Events
		Gelhardt, Joe Forward
		Phillips, Kalvin Midfielder
		Struijk, Pascal Defender
		Koch, Robin Defender		Unused Sub
		Klaesson, Kristoffer Goalkeeper		Unused Sub
		Cresswell, Charlie Defender		Unused Sub
		Summerville, Crysencio Midfielder		Unused Sub
		Greenwood, Sam Midfielder		Unused Sub
		Kenneh, Nohan Defender		Unused Sub

	References
	LEEDSTATS: Leeds United Season 2021/2022
	Sheridan Dictates: Season Statistics 2021-22
	Leeds United Programme Guide: Season 2021/22