Unbeaten Leeds go top with comeback draw at Swansea
Oli McBurnie's header had put Swansea 2-1 ahead before Pablo Hernandez rescued a point for Leeds
Leeds United fought back to preserve their unbeaten start to the season with an exhilarating draw at Swansea City.
Oli McBurnie finished a fine team move to give the vibrant hosts a deserved lead but Kemar Roofe tapped in to level before half-time.
McBurnie restored Swansea's lead with a superb arcing header.
But Leeds substitute Patrick Bamford set up former Swan Pablo Hernandez to sweep in a low equaliser, taking his side to the top of the Championship.
The draw also maintains Swansea's unbeaten record and lifts them to third in the table.
And while their effervescent performance will have encouraged manager Graham Potter, the result will be tinged with the disappointment that the Swans were unable to turn their dominance into victory.
As it was, ending Leeds' perfect start to the season was a commendable achievement in itself, given the Yorkshire club's form before this fixture.
Relive Tuesday's EFL action as it happened
Leeds had won all three of their previous matches with a swagger, scoring nine goals and playing with the high-octane intensity which has defined the career of their world-renowned manager Marcelo Bielsa.
Swansea, however, had ground their way to two victories and a draw, an impressive feat under Potter considering his limited resources after a summer of stunted transfer activity which prompted strong criticism of the club's owners.
The Swans continued to confound their off-field concerns with a strident display here, forcing Leeds into mistakes and keeping possession with quick, crisp passing.
Both those qualities were evident for the opening goal, sparked by Leroy Fer - starting for the first time since an Achilles injury in February.
The Dutch midfielder dispossessed Kalvin Phillips before initiating a flowing move, which included passes from Barrie McKay and Bersant Celina and ended with a prodded finish from McBurnie.
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Swansea City boss Graham Potter on facing Marcelo Bielsa at the Liberty Stadium
Phillips, already booked, was then substituted for Lewis Barker after just 27 minutes as Bielsa readjusted his rattled side.
The bold move was effective, as Leeds settled and equalised against the run of play as Jamie Shackleton's low cross was converted by Roofe from close range.
The Liberty Stadium was momentarily silenced but, once Swansea started the second half with the same adventure with which they had approached the first, the atmosphere crackled once more.
McBurnie, a tall and rangy nuisance of a striker, led the attack brilliantly.
The Scotland international's endeavour was rewarded when he stretched backwards to meet Martin Olsson's excellent cross and loop his header over Bailey Peacock-Farrell and into the far corner.
The 22-year-old was close to a hat-trick against the city of his birth but was thwarted by Peacock-Farrell's fingertip save - and it was to prove crucial.
When the ball later spun loose on the left wing, Leeds substitute Bamford beat Mike van der Hoorn and raced into the penalty area before crossing for Hernandez, who finished smartly but showed little sign of celebration against his former side.
Swansea still had time for a late chance to win but the electric Bersant Celina saw his shot well saved by Peacock-Farrell.
Swansea City manager Graham Potter said:
"In football you take what you get. For us we focus on the overall performance of the team, what we brought in terms of our character, our attitude and also our quality and courage. We played against a good team and we showed a really good level.
"I'm proud of the players, proud of what they did and proud of the environment we created here. I thought it was a great atmosphere, which contributed to a really good game.
"We had a good intensity to our play. We had a good idea of what we wanted to do and we also had courage as well. Overall, really proud of the players and happy we've taken a step forward."
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa said:
"We didn't defend very well and this did not allow us to dominate the game with regularity. In the first half Swansea dominated the game.
"It took us almost 25 minutes to get into the game. After their second goal we had greater stability. After we scored again at 2-2 we dominated the game.
"We have won this game and we have lost it too. It was a nice game to watch. There are some important aspects we have to correct."
Line-upsMatch StatsLive TextLine-upsSwansea25Mulder26Naughton5van der Hoorn22Rodon3OlssonSubstituted forAsoroat 83'minutes27Fulton8FerSubstituted forCarrollat 74'minutes23Roberts10Celina19McKaySubstituted forMonteroat 64'minutes9McBurnieSubstitutes7Montero13Benda14Carroll16Asoro20James21Grimes30DhandaLeeds1Peacock-Farrell46Shackleton28Berardi2Ayling3Douglas23PhillipsBooked at 13minsSubstituted forBakerat 28'minutesBooked at 37mins19Hernández14SáizBooked at 89mins43Klich10AlioskiSubstituted forHarrisonat 45'minutes7RoofeBooked at 27minsSubstituted forBamfordat 64'minutesSubstitutes9Bamford20Pearce22Harrison27Blackman34Baker35Shaughnessy49ReyReferee:Andy DaviesAttendance:20,860Match StatsHome TeamSwanseaAway TeamLeedsPossessionHome44%Away56%ShotsHome12Away8Shots on TargetHome4Away3CornersHome2Away5FoulsHome13Away17Live TextPosted at
Match ends, Swansea City 2, Leeds United 2.
Full TimePosted at 90'+5'
Second Half ends, Swansea City 2, Leeds United 2.
Posted at 90'+5'
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Posted at 90'+4'
Delay in match Mike van der Hoorn (Swansea City) because of an injury.
Posted at 90'+3'
Samuel Sáiz (Leeds United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 90'+3'
Foul by Jay Fulton (Swansea City).
Posted at 90'+2'
Corner, Leeds United. Conceded by Kyle Naughton.
Posted at 90'+2'
Jack Harrison (Leeds United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 90'+2'
Foul by Mike van der Hoorn (Swansea City).
BookingPosted at 89'
Samuel Sáiz (Leeds United) is shown the yellow card.
Posted at 89'
Foul by Samuel Sáiz (Leeds United).
Posted at 89'
Jay Fulton (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 88'
Attempt saved. Bersant Celina (Swansea City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Oliver McBurnie with a headed pass.
Posted at 87'
Offside, Leeds United. Gaetano Berardi tries a through ball, but Patrick Bamford is caught offside.
Posted at 87'
Barry Douglas (Leeds United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 87'
Foul by Joel Asoro (Swansea City).
Posted at 86'
Attempt missed. Mike van der Hoorn (Swansea City) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Bersant Celina with a cross following a set piece situation.
Posted at 85'
Foul by Gaetano Berardi (Leeds United).
Posted at 85'
Oliver McBurnie (Swansea City) wins a free kick on the left wing.
SubstitutionPosted at 83'
Substitution, Swansea City. Joel Asoro replaces Martin Olsson.
Goal!Posted at 79'
Goal! Swansea City 2, Leeds United 2. Pablo Hernández (Leeds United) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Patrick Bamford with a cross.
Posted at 77'
Foul by Luke Ayling (Leeds United).
Posted at 77'
Mike van der Hoorn (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 77'
Corner, Leeds United. Conceded by Connor Roberts.
Posted at 76'
Foul by Mateusz Klich (Leeds United).
Posted at 76'
Bersant Celina (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
SubstitutionPosted at 74'
Substitution, Swansea City. Tom Carroll replaces Leroy Fer.
Posted at 72'
Corner, Leeds United. Conceded by Jay Fulton.
Posted at 70'
Gaetano Berardi (Leeds United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 70'
Foul by Oliver McBurnie (Swansea City).
Posted at 67'
Foul by Barry Douglas (Leeds United).
Posted at 67'
Connor Roberts (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
SubstitutionPosted at 64'
Substitution, Leeds United. Patrick Bamford replaces Kemar Roofe.
Posted at 64'
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
SubstitutionPosted at 64'
Substitution, Swansea City. Jefferson Montero replaces Barrie McKay.
Posted at 63'
Delay in match Lewis Baker (Leeds United) because of an injury.
Posted at 63'
Lewis Baker (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 63'
Foul by Jay Fulton (Swansea City).
Posted at 61'
Corner, Swansea City. Conceded by Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
Posted at 61'
Attempt saved. Oliver McBurnie (Swansea City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Barrie McKay.
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Source: bbc.com
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