Leeds United 1 West Brom 1: Albion good value for point in impressive display

Tony Mowbray's visitors were worthy of their share of the spoils on a tense afternoon at Elland Road as Albion's head coach delivered on his vow to show ambition in West Yorkshire.

The Baggies boss resisted the temptation to pack his midfield with less technical options and instead somewhat surprisingly stuck to a system resembling 4-4-2 with John Swift supporting Adam Armstrong.

Signs might have been ominous as the hosts struck the opener inside 10 minutes through Junior Firpo after a couple of Joe Wildsmith errors but Albion rallied and responded admirably.

Furlong's looping header shortly before half-time was a deserved equaliser and while Daniel Farke's side, now unbeaten in 17 league games, had spells of dominance, Albion were equally a threat.

Mowbray made ambitious late changes too, as Leeds came on strong, but neither side could unlock the door for a winner.

Either side could have struck a winner as Albion become the first team in six league games to deny Leeds a win and, having dropped a place to sixth, remain in the Championship play-off places for now.

Swift was Albion's surprise inclusion to the starting XI, replacing Tom Fellows, as Isaac Price started on the right flank with Swift off Armstrong.

Leeds winger Dan James sent a cross-shot wide in the opening stages but Mowbray's surprise selection almost paid off immediately. Jayson Molumby spread the ball out to Price on the right and his intelligent low cross found the onrushing Swift, who sent a low strike inches wide of the left post from 18 yards.

It was a head-in-hands moment for the visitors and moments later there was more in the same in the away.

It took just nine minutes for the hosts to take the lead with a large helping hand from Albion and goalkeeper Wildsmith.

The Yorkshire-born shot-stopper looked edgy with the ball at his feet and lost possession. Dan James was allowed a delivery from the left and returning defender allowed left-back Firpo to drift free to the six-yard box where he converted a header into an empty net with Wildsmith in no man's land. The goalkeeper had wandered out to claim the cross but got nowhere near.

Elland Road exploded and Mowbray's men wobbled for a fear of implosion. Leeds sensed a second for five minutes or so but, from then, the visitors recovered. There was nothing doing from referee Farai Hallam on handball penalty claims from Furlong's cross.

The Whites' only other chance of the opening half saw Japanese midfielder Ao Tanaka fail to connect with an inviting corner.

Mikey Johnston looked the Baggies' best outlet. He was sharp with the ball and on a couple of occasions dribbled past several defenders. But Albion midfielders moved it well as a unit.

A smart move from back to front created a decent chance on half hour as Johnston's through ball sent Armstrong clear in the box, from a tight angle, he was snuffed out.

Albion grew in confidence though and were well in the contest with an edginess growing around Elland Road at this point.

There did not appear too much danger with Swift over a free-kick 15 yards into the Leeds half, slightly right. But the attacker's deep delivery was on the money for Furlong to climb and loop a header on the stranded Illan Meslier. Torbjorn Heggem was in close quarters as Albion overloaded the back of the area.

The Baggies were worthy of parity at the interval.

Farke's men edged the opening stages of the second period as the diminutive James headed a corner over and Tanaka's drive from range was well blocked by Bartley.

The Elland Road cranked up the volume after the hour as full-backs Firpo and Jayden Bogle really tested Albion's rearguard. Furlong, Heggem and the entire unit stood firm.

Wildsmith held on to a deflected low strike from James that skimmed across the turf.

Mowbray rolled the dice with the introduction of Karlan Grant and Grady Diangana at the midway point of the second half and seconds later the Baggies almost led.

Johnston had been his side's creator-in-chief and his enticing cross from the left was met by a diving Furlong who sensed a chance to double his goal tally but his header rose over.

The contest hung in the balance as Leeds sub Mateo Joseph jinked past Heggem and lifted on to the crossbar and over. Down the other end Johnston struck low at Meslier who held on.

Mowbray and Albion stayed brave and sent on Fellows and Daryl Dike for the final 10 minutes in a tense atmosphere.

That double switch also almost paid off as Dike worked well with Diangana to feed Fellows on the break late on but Leeds recovered well. In stoppage time - where Leeds have won their last two games against top four sides Sunderland and Sheffield United - James struck into the side netting.

But Albion saw out their point on a heartening afternoon in the Leeds sunshine.

Leeds United (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Rothwell, Tanaka; James, Aaronson (Joseph, 72), Solomon (Gnonto, 79); Piroe.

Subs not used: Darlow, Byram, Schmidt, Debayo, Gruev, Guilavogui, Ramazani,.

Albion (4-4-1-1): Wildsmith; Furlong, Bartley (c), Heggem, Styles; Price (Fellows, 83), Mowatt, Molumby; Johnston (Fellows, 83); Swift (Diangana, 69); Armstrong (Grant, 69).

Subs not used: Griffiths, Holgate, Diakite, Bany, Lankshear.

Attendance: 36,705

Referee: Farai Hallam