A WINNING START IS JESSE THE JOB
Marsch hails progress as Aaronson earns his stripes
IT was Yankee-doodle dandy for Leeds with their new boy from across the Atlantic, Brenden Aaronson, involved in the winner.
This was no stars and stripes show from Jesse Marsch’s side – but a fervent Elland Road crowd who had seen their side dice with relegation last season couldn’t have cared less.
Once again they had been put through the mincer as Wolves dominated the second half with Ruben Neves pulling the strings.
But Bruno Lage’s side paid the price for sloppiness in front of goal as new boy Aaronson, a £25million capture from Red Bull Salzburg, caused havoc with 17 minutes to go.
The USA international – one of a clutch of signings hoping to fill the gap left by the sales of Raphina and Kalvin Phillips – went for a cross from Patrick Bamford together with Wolves full-back Rayan Ait-nouri and the crestfallen Frenchman could only divert it into his own net.
Leeds boss Marsch said: “I hear it’s been credited as an own goal but he was active, lively and dangerous all match.
“We looked like a team that understands what the tactics are with the ball much better than last season. I have never felt better at a club but I know we still have a lot of hard work to do to get to where I want them to be.”
Lage, who had a couple of spats on the touchline with Marsch, could hardly believe what he was seeing after a Wolves tide had swept towards the Leeds goal, Illan Meslier brilliantly tipping over the bar a close-range header from Leander
Dendoncker and another Leeds summer signing Ramus Kristensen stopping Ait-nouri in his tracks as he was about to pull the trigger.
Earlier it had been a lightning start by Wolves, in stark contrast to their end-of-season fade which cost them the chance of a European place last campaign.
Ruben Neves – handed the captain’s armband with Conor Coady starting on the bench – was the launching pad with a long-range pass which set Pedro Neto galloping down the left.
His cross was headed back by Hwang Hee-chan for Daniel Podence to pounce from close range.
There was a balance and menace in the early Leeds attacks and it was Rodrigo who benefited from growing anxiety in the Wolves ranks.
Some indecisive defending allowed the Spaniard to capitalise, a 23rd-minute low angled shot squirming past Jose Sa who should have done better. Wolves continued to create chances on the break with Meslier saving from Hee-chan and Neto before denying Dendoncker on the stroke of half-time.
The Belgian seemingly had the goal at his mercy following a clever flick from Hee-chan – only for Meslier’s outstretched foot to leave him with his head in his hands.
Lage insisted: “I am proud of what the players did. We dominated the game. It’s a display which deserved a different result. These things happen.”