Struijk boosts Leeds’ survival hope
PASCAL Struijk headed a stoppagetime equaliser as Leeds snatched a vital point in their fight for Premier League survival with a 1-1 draw against Brighton.
Late substitute Struijk headed home at the far post in the second minute of added time to lift Leeds out of the bottom three after Danny Welbeck had given Albion a halftime lead at Elland Road.
Following relegation rivals Burnley’s defeat at Tottenham earlier on Sunday, Struijk’s last-gasp leveller ensured Leeds’ bid to retain their top-flight status will be decided on the final day of the season.
Brighton’s opening goal arrived, courtesy of lightweight Leeds defending, in the 21st minute.
Leeds-record signing Rodrigo dithered in possession and Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma was left unchallenged.
Bissouma’s ball down the right channel appeared to pose little danger, but Welbeck out-paced and outmuscled Diego Llorente before dinking an excellent finish over Meslier.
Raphinha snatched at a half-opening early in the second period and Jack Harrison blazed over.
Leeds, roared on by another full house, swept forward again and
Brighton skipper Lewis Dunk rescued his side when deflecting Rodrigo’s flick.
With time running out, the home fans sensed it was not to be their day and a section turned on the club’s hierarchy.
A chorus of “Sack the board” rang out as Welbeck missed a golden chance to seal victory for the Seagulls in the closing stages by heading Leandro Trossard’s cross wide.
But in the second minute of added time, Gelhardt evaded several challenges in Brighton’s box and crossed to the far post where Struijk rose to head home a vital equaliser.