Even though 210 minutes of football were played, Leeds’ superiority over Plymouth Argyle was eventually evident as they easily defeated them 4-1 in overtime.
Leeds once again ended a match with a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes, but the impact from the bench proved crucial, with Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter standing out with a goal and an assist each.
Daniel Farke decided to introduce Summerville only in the 90th minute, and despite Leeds coming close to a win in stoppage time after his entry, his performance during extra time was exceptional.
In the post-match press conference, Farke explained his decision not to bring Summerville on earlier, citing that the player had been dealing with “some strains” recently.
Summerville playing through the pain barrier
“Not tempted to put him in earlier,” he remarked. created a lot of strain on him in the last few weeks and caused some muscle aches.
We held off on bringing him in against worn-out opponents until the very last minute because we anticipated having more time. They might not be prepared to follow his moves if they are tired. For that, this was the strategy.
Farke’s decision to carefully manage Summerville’s playing time demonstrates good judgment, especially when supporters may have been urging for his earlier introduction during a critical phase of the game. It’s worth noting that Summerville had missed the original game at Elland Road due to injury.
Looking ahead, Leeds will face more crucial matches later this month, including a significant encounter against Leicester City. Ensuring Summerville’s availability for these important fixtures becomes a priority. Despite a bit of wastefulness in front of goal in the previous game against Bristol City, his return to the scoresheet in a brief cameo off the bench is likely to boost his confidence.