On Sunday afternoon, Leeds United defeated Heart of Midlothian 1-0 at Tynecastle Park in a pre-season friendly, and here are some of the highlights you may have missed.
A condensed warm-up
Going into Sunday’s encounter, goalkeepers were a hot issue at Leeds United. Karl Darlow‘s transfer from Newcastle United was eventually revealed on Saturday evening, with all eyes on whether the stopper would make it to Edinburgh after only returning from the United States 48 hours before.
Darlow was present and ready for the warm-up at Tynecastle Park alongside Ed Wootten and Kristoffer Klaesson, but Meslier was nowhere to be seen. The number one was supposed to arrive at least 15 minutes later to warm up for the game.
Norwich connections
The most obvious Norwich City link you could associate with Leeds at any game is Daniel Farke and his backroom team, but there was an old acquaintance from the Heart of Midlothian backroom waving hello at Tynecastle. Patrick Bamford was delighted to see an old acquaintance waiting for him as he galloped in from his pre-match warm-up.
Hearts manager Frankie McAvoy worked in Alex Neil‘s backroom crew at Carrow Road when Bamford was on loan there in 2016. The link we were expecting to see appeared after the game. Michael McGovern, a former Norwich City custodian, was seen catching up with Farke and his backroom staff after the final whistle.
Following his substitution, Georginio Rutter walked around the perimeter of the bench, holding his side, and received sympathetic applause from the home fans he passed. The Frenchman responded a wounded smile and his own grateful applause.
Ayling still has one on him.
Hearts introduced Alex Cochrane in the 60th minute. Cochrane’s first move was to close in on Luke Ayling as the Leeds defender collected the ball with his back to the Hearts player.
Cochrane dropped a stud or two on the right-back and had a nibble before Ayling pushed the ball on. Ayling was checking for who had done it and fiercely chuntering in his direction as play went away and Cochrane jogged off.
He continued to do so for the next two or three minutes, until Cochrane appeared to acknowledge Ayling’s rage and gave a word of consolation or two. Ayling would shake his hand, but you could tell how pointless he thought it was.
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