The Whites dip in form continued as Brentford smashed five past them, and Jesse Marsch was sent off as Leeds slipped to 10th in the table.

Any hopes that Leeds could replicate the victory they achieved on the final day of last season were dashed after half an hour, after Rob Jones (referee) awarded Brentford a spot kick, following Luis Sinisterra's challenge on Ivan Toney. Many believed the Columbian deserved the benefit of the doubt, especially as it took VAR the best part of five minutes to direct Jones to the monitor. Customary when referred to the screen, the man in black pointed to the spot, and Toney duly obliged.

They doubled their lead a few minutes before half-time after Leeds gave away one of many cheap free kicks in striking distance to Meslier's goal. Once again Toney punished the Whites, delivering his strike with pin-point accuracy into the top right corner. In truth Leeds wall was a shambles, amplified by the fact that Tyler Adams moved out of the firing line.

Leeds' response was instantaneous. Sinsterra's low hard drive from the edge of the 'D' wrong footing David Raya in the second minute of first half injury time to reduce the deficit to one, at the break. In a brave attempt to salvage something from the game, Marsch bought on Bamford at half-time at the expense of Jack Harrison.

Both teams had good chances in the early exchanges of the second half, but it would be Brentford that would register first. Jensen launched a speculative long ball into the Leeds half. It bounced over Llorente (somehow) after getting in a muddle with Koch, and into the pathway of Lewis-Potter. Whilst Koch sprinted after him, a dejected Llorente gave up, deciding to stay put. Fortunately for Leeds, Meslier was alert to the danger, and raced out of his box. The French shot stopper made an incredible block, but the ball fell kindly for Toney who floated the ball over the Leeds defenders to register his hat trick.

Soon after, Summerville was bundled over in the box, and Jones waved play on. An incensed Jesse Marsch saw red (literally), and was sent to the stands. Two goals up, Brentford took their foot off the gas, and alowed Leeds back into the game. Bamford and Roca both missed guilt edged opportunities to get back into the game before Roca finally made one count.

30 seconds later, the Bee's once again had their two goal cushion. Janson's long ball was flicked on by Toney, then Koch into the path of Mbeumo. He took a touch before firing home from 15 yards. A miserable afternoon was concluded when Wissa robbed Llorente of the ball, before calmly slotting the ball home.

	Line Up		Nat	Match Events
		Meslier, Illan Goalkeeper
		Drameh, Cody Defender
		Koch, Robin Defender
		Llorente, Diego Defender
		Struijk, Pascal Defender
		Adams, Tyler Midfielder
		Roca, Marc Midfielder
		Sinisterra, Luis Midfielder
		Aaronson, Brenden Midfielder
		Harrison, Jack Midfielder
		Gelhardt, Joe Forward
	Subs		Nat	Match Events
		Ayling, Luke Defender
		Greenwood, Sam Midfielder
		Summerville, Crysencio Midfielder
		Bamford, Patrick Forward
		Klich, Mateusz Midfielder
		Klaesson, Kristoffer Goalkeeper		Unused Sub
		Forshaw, Adam Midfielder		Unused Sub
		Cooper, Liam Defender		Unused Sub
		Hjelde, Leo Defender		Unused Sub

	References
	LEEDSTATS: Leeds United Season 2022/2023
	Sheridan Dictates: Season Statistics 2022-23
	Leeds United Programme Guide: Season 2022/23