Leeds United 1-1 Brentford: Pontus Jansson earns point for hosts

Pontus Jansson headed an 88th-minute equaliser to earn Leeds United a point against Brentford at Elland Road.

Leeds responded well after falling behind to Neal Maupay's second-half penalty and eventually got their equaliser when the Swedish defender nodded in Ezgjan Alioski's left-wing free-kick.

The hosts had been unhappy with the decision to award a spot-kick for Bailey Peacock-Farrell's foul on Ollie Watkins, as the Brentford striker appeared to already be heading to the ground before the Leeds goalkeeper made contact.

Maupay converted from 12 yards for his 10th league goal of the campaign - making him the first player to reach that milestone in England's top four tiers this season.

Leeds had defender Luke Ayling sent off late in stoppage time for a second bookable offence.

The hosts remained top of the league at the final whistle, but Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion overtook them with wins later on Saturday.

Dean Smith, strongly linked with Aston Villa's managerial vacancy, watched his high-flying Bees side come closest to scoring in a goalless first half as Watkins' deflected effort came back off the crossbar.

Bees goalkeeper Luke Daniels pushed Kalvin Phillips' close-range attempt onto the post after half-time, while Leeds substitute Lewis Baker sent a free-kick and a header just wide during his late cameo.

Despite Jansson's late intervention, Marcelo Bielsa's team have now won only two of their past seven league matches.

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa told BBC Radio Leeds:

"It was a fair result. We could have lost the game, or won the game. But it wouldn't be fair we say that we were close to winning the game.

"When we have the possibility to look at the video and make your own opinion, my opinion on the penalty is useless, it's not important. We can't conceive football thinking the referee will not make a mistake.

"If Pontus [Jansson] is playing his best football, it's not because I'm the head coach. But we can say for sure he's playing at a high level."

Brentford boss Dean Smith told BBC Radio London:

"We've come to the cauldron that is Elland Road and the first thing anyone says to me is commiserations, because we've come away with one point but probably deserved all three.

"I thought we were excellent today. We were on the front foot, forced them into mistakes, and I didn't think we made the most of our opportunities and chances.

"I'm disappointed we gave a cheap free-kick away and didn't defend it very well and they end up getting a point."

On the Villa link:

"I have had no approach from Villa, so the question about the club it is not something I can answer.

"I can only reiterate I really enjoy my job here at Brentford, I work with some wonderful people and I go home every day with a smile on my face."