High-flying Brentford took on a Leeds United side who were looking to bring to an end a run of five games without a victory, making this, on paper, a game that the Bees entered full of confidence.
With a spring in their step following a 5-2 smashing of Cardiff City in midweek, however, Leeds gave just as good as they got in the opening half, albeit without either David Raya or Illan Meslier being forced into any goal-saving moments in a first period which lacked goalmouth action.
Much to their credit, the hosts’ intensity didn’t drop at the start of the second-half, as they searched to mount an unexpected upset, with Raya keeping out Rodrigo’s driven effort outside of the area.
As for Brentford, having won just once at Elland Road since 1947, they looked a side under pressure.
Wilfried Gnonto didn’t help ease that pressure, either, once again forcing Raya into a fine save at his near post.
The numbers were stacked against Thomas Frank’s side before the game, with just two away wins in this fixture in the last 26 meetings, and Brentford were far from the in-form side that we had seen against the likes of Liverpool in previous games.
The introduction of talisman Patrick Bamford gave the visitors even more encouragement, but this was a game destined to remain goalless, as both sides settled for a clean sheet and a point which leaves a point adrift of the dropzone, and Brentford sitting a point away from the top six.
