Interviews

De Zerbi: It's two points dropped

Head coach reflects on a 2-2 draw against Leeds United at Elland Road.

By Bruce Talbot • 11 March 2023

By Paul Hazlewood
Roberto De Zerbi on the touchline at Elland Road.

Roberto De Zerbi admitted Albion dropped two points after they were held by Leeds United at Elland Road.

The visitors twice led through Alexis Mac Allister and Solly March, but Patrick Bamford and Jack Harrison responded in a 2-2 draw.

Albion are seventh in the Premier League table as a result, ahead of Wednesday’s home game against Crystal Palace.

De Zerbi said, “I’m disappointed with the result because I thought we played a good game. Against a good Leeds team we lost two points.

By Paul Hazlewood
Evan Ferguson on the stretch in the second half.

“I was pleased with the quality of our performance and in terms of mentality we were like lions. I think in the second half the Leeds fans understood that the game was very difficult for them.”

There was controversy surrounding Harrison’s goal with two balls on the pitch when he scored from a quickly-taken corner, but referee Paul Tierney confirmed that when the second ball came onto the pitch and was quickly flicked back out by Wilfried Gnonto it was not interfering with play.

“There were two balls on the pitch, but we had to concentrate more in that part of the game because we had many chances to kill the game and we have to learn and improve this part. We must be tougher in those situations," said De Zerbi. 

Adam Webster came off late on but De Zerbi said his injury ‘was not a big problem.’