LEEDS, England (AP) – Injury-hit Leeds fell to their second dangerous defeat in five days, with the only English Premier League match at home to Arsenal on Saturday as a wave of pandemic-hit postponements. Cause.
After a 7-0 loss to Manchester City on Tuesday, Leeds – with nine senior players and with the 15-year-old on the bench amid an injury crisis – fell apart in the first half as Gabriel Martinelli scored twice and Bukayo scored. Kiya Saka added another.
Leeds also injured another player, Jack Harrison, before halftime and manager Marcelo Bilsa bowed his head as he walked back to the dressing room, his team allowing 15 shots on goal in a chaotic performance.
The home side was better settled in the second half and managed a consolation when Rafinha converted 19-year-old striker Joe Gellhardt into a penalty after being trapped by Ben White, Arsenal’s former Leeds centre-back.
The misery piled on for Leeds, who are five points above the relegation zone playing three games over Burnley, after an 84th-minute goal from Emil Smith replaced Rowe’s goal after being played by Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal finished fourth in the race for Champions League qualification and are four points above fifth-placed West Ham, who have played 18 of 38 games.
Burnley’s game at Aston Villa was postponed earlier on Saturday because of a COVID-19 outbreak in the Villa squad, limiting the Premier League’s latest round to four games. The remaining three matches are on Sunday.
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