English Championship favourites Leeds launched their 2024/25 season by snatching a late equaliser in a dramatic 3-3 draw at home to newly-promoted Portsmouth on Saturday.
It seemed as if the visitors, last term’s League One champions, would leave Elland Road with all three points following a late penalty from Callum Lang.
But Brenden Aaronson’s goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time ensured a share of the spoils for Leeds, denied a place in the Premier League following a loss to Southampton — Portsmouth’s archrivals — in the Championship play-off final last season.
Pascal Struijk’s penalty gave Leeds, who hit the woodwork several times, an early lead, before Pompey hit back through a goal from summer signing Elias Sorensen and Lang’s thumping drive.
Willy Gnonto equalised early in the second half but Leeds needed Aaronson’s late goal to rescue a point after Lang scored his second from the penalty spot.
Aaronson could have won the game for the hosts in the closing moments, but he dragged his shot wide when well-placed.
‘Never easy’
“He could have been the hero then with the second chance because normally a player of his quality scores such a goal,” said Leeds manager Daniel Farke of Aaronson.
“He would have sat on the shoulders of his team-mates and everyone would sing his name. But football is like life, it’s never easy.”
Pompey boss John Mousinho said his side had “got away with one” following Aaronson’s late miss.
“I thought it was going to nestle in the back of the net. I was really relieved,” he explained. “Having said that, if we had lost it wouldn’t have changed the performance. I was grateful it went wide, we got away with one there.”
He added: “I am happy. Both sides will come off disappointed with the result.
Elsewhere, Mileta Rajovic headed in the winner as Watford won 3-2 away to Millwall.
Duncan Watmore’s second-half double drew south London side Millwall level after Edo Kayembe and Giorgi Chakvetadze had put Watford on top.
Josh Maja scored a hat-trick as West Bromwich Albion came from behind to defeat Queens Park Rangers 3-1 at Loftus Road after Lucas Andersen put the west London club ahead in the 16th minute.
Oxford enjoyed an ideal start to their first season back in English football’s second tier for 25 years, with a 2-0 victory over Norwich thanks to goals from Mark Harris and Cameron Brannagan.
Middlesbrough won on the opening day for the first time in a decade as Emmanuel Latte Lath scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Swansea.
Oscar Estupinan’s last-minute penalty earned Hull a 1-1 draw against Bristol City after Fally Mayulu’s 84th-minute strike had put the visitors ahead.
Sunderland started the Regis Le Bris era with a win after goals from Luke O’Nien and Jack Clarke secured a 2-0 victory at Cardiff, while Lewis Baker scored with 12 minutes left to seal a 1-0 win for Stoke at home to Coventry.
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