Premier League
AFC Bournemouth 2 (Kroupi 60’, Rayan 85’)
Leeds United 2 (Hill OG 68’, Longstaff 90+7')
Bournemouth: Petrović (GK), Truffert, Senesi, Brooks (C) (Rayan 67’), Scott, Evanilson, Christie (Adli 74’), Tavernier (Tóth 90’), Jiménez, Kroupi (Adams 73’), Hill. Subs not used: Mandas (GK), Gannon-Doak, Smith, Diakité, Ünal.
Leeds: Darlow (GK), Bogle (Rodon 46’), Gudmundsson, Ampadu (C), Struijk, Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson (Longstaff 84’), Bijol (Nmecha 64’), Okafor (Gnonto 64’), Tanaka (Piroë 89’), Justin. Subs not used: Perri (GK), James, Bornauw, Buonanotte.
Venue: Vitality Stadium
Referee: Michael Salisbury
Attendance: 11,226
Booked: Kroupi, Jiménez, Evanilson (Bournemouth)
Leeds United earned a hard-fought point away at AFC Bournemouth in midweek Premier League action, as Sean Longstaff's late finish made it seven unbeaten in all competitions for Daniel Farke's side.
Wilfried Gnonto forced an equalising own goal mid-way through the second half, before super-sub Longstaff thumped home deep into stoppage time to share the spoils on Wednesday evening.
Play got underway on a warm spring evening with the Whites unchanged following last weekend’s victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at home.
After an even start to the encounter, the hosts had the first opportunity of the game when a ball from deep almost picked out the run of David Brooks but the midfielder was unable to make any contact, allowing Karl Darlow to gather.
From a swirling through in, Ryan Christie then headed back into the middle which, on the turn, Evanilson flashed wide of the far post on the volley.
United were offering a threat on the break, however, notably through the hold up play of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin and the pace of in-form attacker Noah Okafor, stretching the Cherries’ defence and searching for the opener.
Darlow was the first goalkeeper who had a save to make in the opening period, stooping to collect a tame Adrien Tuffert drive from the edge of the area.
Down the other end, an excellent piece of skill from the lively Brenden Aaronson saw the American twist and turn his way into the middle before forcing a necessary intervention from the diving Đorđe Petrović.
With the game growing into a more open affair, Darlow produced a magnificent save with his outstretched boot to deny Christie with Gabriel Gudmundsson flashing a teasing delivery across the face of goal down the other end moments later in the final action of the half.
HALF TIME: AFC Bournemouth 0-0 Leeds United
The Whites emerged from the interval having made one change to the personnel with Joe Rodon replacing Jayden Bogle in the backline.
On the front foot immediately, a mazy run from Aaronson allowed the midfielder dart into the area and lay the ball off for Okafor though, surrounded by red and black shirts, the Swiss international was unable to hit the target.
A crucial block from Pascal Struijk then diverted a Christie left-footed strike over the upright before Farke’s side cleared the resulting corner kick.
Gudmundsson was next to be called upon, doing brilliantly to hook Marcus Tavernier’s low drive off the line but there was nothing a white shirt could do to prevent the opener on the hour mark as Junior Kroupi bundled beyond Darlow and into the back of the net.
Within moments, United were inches away from drawing level. Okafor raced onto a loose ball and dinked a delicate effort over the onrushing Petrović, only for the foot of the woodwork to come to the hosts’ rescue.
Two further changes arrived in the form of Lukas Nmecha and Gnonto, replacing Jaka Bijol and Noah Okafor in an alteration to the system.
Those substitutions immediately proved inspired ones. Rodon flicked a header into the middle and, after a chaotic scramble ensued, there was Gnonto to rifle home albeit aided by a deflection off James Hill.
Bournemouth almost regained the lead as Evanilson tried to flick beyond Darlow but the Welshman was able to get a touch on the ball before Struijk hacked away.
The home side did eventually grab a second in the closing stages through substitute Rayan who guided a cross into the far corner from close range.
Marcos Senesi went close to extending the Cherries’ advantage with a header that came crashing off the woodwork and Evanilson thought he had made sure of the points for the hosts with a third in stoppage time that was soon after ruled out for offside, but it was the visitors who profited from the time added...
Deep into added time, Ethan Ampadu's throw towards the centre of the box was half-cleared by Alex Scott only as far as substitute Longstaff, who rifled the ball into the bottom right corner to secure a point for Leeds in the tightly contested affair!
Attentions now turn to Sunday's Emirates FA Cup semi final showdown with Chelsea at Wembley as the Whites edge closer to silverware.
FULL TIME: AFC Bournemouth 2-2 Leeds United
