Substitute Kroupi rescues point for Bournemouth at Leeds

Eli Kroupi’s stoppage-time equaliser rescued a point for AFC Bournemouth, who continued their unbeaten run and snatched a 2-2 draw against Leeds United.

The hosts appeared on course to make it three wins from three this season at Elland Road, where they had recovered from 1-0 down to lead 2-1.

Joe Rodon’s header cancelled out Antoine Semenyo’s free-kick, before Sean Longstaff completed the turnaround early in the second half.

However, in the third minute of stoppage time, substitute Kroupi neatly guided in a volley from a tight angle to ensure a share of the spoils for Andoni Iraola’s side.

The late intervention lifts the Cherries to third on 11 points, with Daniel Farke’s men three points behind them in 11th.

How the match unfolded

Leeds started brightly, with Djorde Petrovic saving from Dominic Calvert-Lewin inside 13 seconds. The Bournemouth goalkeeper denied him again in the 18th and 19th minutes, twice from close range.

Petrovic's interventions proved crucial as the visitors broke the deadlock eight minutes later, with Semenyo drilling a low-driven free-kick that flashed under the Leeds wall and beyond Karl Darlow.

However, the hosts were back on level terms in the 37th minute when Rodon rose to power home a header from Longstaff's corner, with Semenyo's flick disrupting Petrovic's attempted save.

The provider turned goalscorer nine minutes into the second half, with Longstaff lashing the ball in off the post with the outside of his boot after Brenden Aaronson’s initial effort had ricocheted into his path. Substitute Jack Harrison stung Petrovic’s palms from distance as Leeds looked to put the contest to bed in the latter stages.

However, in the third minute of second-half stoppage time, the Cherries restored parity, as a Marcos Senesi free-kick was headed down to substitute Kroupi, who volleyed it past a helpless Darlow to snatch a last-gasp point.

Watch Kroupi's first goal

Leeds see perfect records snatched away

Leeds’ perfect record against Bournemouth at Elland Road was brought to an abrupt halt, as they were denied an eighth straight home win against the Cherries with almost the final kick of the game.

Farke’s side were looking to become only the third promoted team in Premier League history to begin their campaign with three straight clean sheets at home, but any hope of achieving that ended when Semenyo fired in from just outside the box.

Nevertheless, the hosts responded well as Rodon headed in the equaliser in the 37th minute, with it being only the fourth goal of the defender’s career.

Having assisted the equaliser, Longstaff then fired Leeds in front in the 54th minute with his first goal since joining the club from Newcastle United.

However, the Elland Road faithful’s hearts were broken deep into stoppage time, as Kroupi denied them all three points for the third home game in succession.

Having conceded a winner against Fulham in the fourth minute of stoppage time two weeks ago, another lapse in concentration in the dying embers was Leeds’ ultimate undoing again.

Farke and his players have another home match to look forward to before the international break, as they bid to maintain their unbeaten start at Elland Road against Tottenham Hotspur next Saturday.

Cherries end Elland Road jinx

Bournemouth have finally stopped the rot at Elland Road, while also extending their unbeaten streak to five league games.

With Spurs in action later on Saturday and Arsenal not playing until Sunday, the Cherries knew this was a good opportunity to climb above the north London pair into third place.

The visitors had Petrovic to thank after he won his early personal duel with Calvert-Lewin, whom he denied on three separate occasions inside the opening 20 minutes.

Bournemouth then broke the deadlock through Semenyo’s wonderful free-kick, giving him his fourth goal of the season and meaning his side have netted in 17 of their last 18 Premier League away games.

However, Iraola’s side were slow to react as Rodon headed in the equaliser, while there was not much Petrovic could have done about Longstaff’s strike.

Nevertheless, they continued to plug away and their resilience was rewarded with a dramatic equaliser, courtesy of Kroupi’s first goal for the club.

Bournemouth welcome Fulham to Vitality Stadium on Friday, aiming to maintain their early-season form before the international break.

Club reports

Leeds report | Bournemouth report

What the managers said

Daniel Farke: "Of course [disappointed] because we had a really good game with a really good performance against a strong opponent. We deserved to win this game. We had way more expected goals and shots. We had big chances."

Andoni Iraola: "Good feelings when you score in stoppage time. It’s a physical game. They have Calvert-Lewin, Longstaff, players punishing us in every set-piece. All of the goals came from set-plays. It was a game with big fights, quite physical, not too clean. Not clear chances."

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Key facts

Leeds failed to win a home league game against Bournemouth for the first time ever, after winning each of the previous seven, which was their best 100 per cent home record against any side.

Semenyo has been directly involved in 11 goals in his last 13 Premier League appearances for Bournemouth, scoring eight and assisting three.

Three of Semenyo’s last five Premier League goals for Bournemouth have come from outside the box, after none of the 19 before that, with the latest the Cherries’ sixth direct free-kick goal in the competition.