EDDIE SETS BENCHMARK

Supersub Nketiah rescues a point for Leeds

EDDIE NKETIAH came off the bench to save Leeds – but the visitors still blew a big chance to go top of the table.

Prolific England Under-21 hotshot Nketiah was introduced in the 78th minute, with the visitors trailing to Tom Barkhuizen’s strike, after Patrick Bamford’s woes continued up front.

In the second half, Bamford sliced a shot wide for a throw-in and could have no complaints when Arsenal loanee Nketiah replaced him.

Nketiah only needed one chance to make his mark with a late header to save the visitors. But a point was frustrating for Leeds as no other team appears capable of stamping their authority on the division.

Yet much of Leeds’ play was certainly good enough as their defence afforded Preston few chances and played with pace and power. Kalvin Phillips ran the midfield, and he looks every inch a Premier League player, with a good range of passing, pace and deadball ability.

United, unchanged from beating Birmingham 1-0 at home at the weekend, quickly took control of the contest and Bamford could have had a first-half hat-trick. First, he headed over a corner by the impressive Phillips. The former Nottingham Forest trainee then blazed a right-foot shot over from a clever pass from Stuart Dallas.

Phillips’ corners caused the hosts all sorts of problems, and he put over another dangerous outswinging delivery in the 22nd minute, which Helder Costa headed over.

Bamford had another sight of goal, but was denied by a brilliant, last-ditch tackle by Ben Davies. At the other end, Leeds keeper Kiko Casilla had to be off his line smartly to clear from the feet of veteran striker David Nugent, 34.

Leeds remained the more dangerous side after the restart, but Bamford’s misery was complete in the 67th minute when he sliced a chance out for a throw-in from the six-yard box.

North End ruthlessly punished them as they broke to score when sub Sean Maguire teed up Barkhuizen to tap in with the hosts’ first shot on target.

But Nketiah earned Leeds a deserved point when he headed in three minutes from time.

SAVIOUR Eddie Nketiah celebrates his late equaliser