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Matty Hewitt

Javi Gracia's next Leeds United task laid bare as Illan Meslier header highlights attacking woes

Javi Gracia's has made Leeds United look a more solid outfit in his opening two Premier League fixtures but there remains work to be done in the final third. The story of the Whites season has previously been their defensive problems hindering their attacking free-flow.

However, after his 91st-minute header on target, Illan Meslier registered as many shots on target as any outfield Leeds player in their last two Premier League away matches. A positive performance at Fulham in the FA Cup made it look like the Whites had reignited their creative fire, but the end product in the final third let them down.

That was the same again this afternoon at Stamford Bridge. The Whites registered an expected goals of 1.53 at Craven Cottage in midweek as opposed to Fulham's lowly 0.19, but it was the home sides who ran out winners.

READ MORE: Luke Ayling calls on Leeds United's senior players to share attacking burden after Chelsea loss

However, with every step forward, it seems as though the Whites are going two steps back. Today they posted an xG of 0.94, meaning in eight of their last 11 Premier League games, the Whites have registered an XG of less than 1.0.

Georginio Rutter's deflected effort midway through the second half didn't go down as a shot on target after it was deflected of Kalidou Koulibaly. It took Leeds until the 91st minute to register a shot on target against Chelsea today, with the second coming from the Whites' goalkeeper in injury time.

Gracia needs to find a way to get his players scoring again in the final third having scored just once in their last four Premier League outings. They've managed just six in the top flight since the turn of the year.

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