2022–23 Leeds United F.C. season

The 2022–23 season was the 103rd season in the existence of Leeds United and the club's third consecutive season in the Premier League. In addition to the league, they also competed in the FA Cup and the EFL Cup.

August
Leeds began their Premier League campaign against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Elland Road on 6 August, winning by a score of 2–1. Daniel Podence opened the scoring for Wolves in the 6th minute. Before the half-time interval, Rodrigo levelled the scores. Leeds went ahead in the 74th minute after Rayan Aït-Nouri turned Patrick Bamford's cross, intended for Brenden Aaronson, into his own goal. A week later, Leeds drew 2–2 against Southampton at St Mary's Stadium, with Rodrigo scoring at the near post from a cross shortly after half-time before doubling Leeds' advantage in the 60th minute with a back post header from a corner. Southampton scored in the 72nd minute after Adam Armstrong's pass found Joe Aribo, who took the ball around Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier to score. Southampton equalised in the 81st minute after Sékou Mara found Kyle Walker-Peters who scored from a tight angle. Leeds next hosted rivals Chelsea on 21 August, winning 3–0. Brenden Aaronson gave Leeds the lead when he pressured Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy into giving away the ball for Aaronson to tap in on the 33rd minute, scoring his first goal for the club. Rodrigo added Leeds' second minutes later heading in from a Jack Harrison cross. Harrison added Leeds' third on the 69th minute to complete their first win over Chelsea in nearly twenty years. Kalidou Koulibaly was shown a second yellow card and subsequently sent off for Chelsea, for bringing down Joe Gelhardt in the 84th minute. The result moved Leeds up to 3rd in the Premier League table. Leeds defeated League One club Barnsley 3–1 at Elland Road in the EFL Cup second round on 24 August, with Luis Sinisterra scoring Leeds' first goal, before a brace from Mateusz Klich. The team lost their first match of the season on 28 August, being defeated 1–0 away to Brighton & Hove Albion after Pascal Groß scored a powerful right-footed shot in the 66th minute. This was followed by a 1–1 draw at home to Everton on 30 August, with Luis Sinisterra's goal from the edge of the box in the 55th minute cancelling out Anthony Gordon's first-half opener.

September
Leeds were defeated 5–2 away to Brentford in their opening match of September. Ivan Toney opened the scoring for Brentford in the 30th minute with a penalty kick after foul on him by Luis Sinisterra, before doubling Brentford's lead three minutes before the half-time interval with a free-kick. Sinisterra pulled a goal back in first-half stoppage time with a "composed low finish", before Toney completed his hat-trick, capitalising on an error from Diego Llorente to chip Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier. Leeds head coach Jesse Marsch was sent off in the 64th minute. Marc Roca scored a second goal for Leeds in the 79th minute before late goals for the hosts from Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa. Their following two matches against Nottingham Forest at Elland Road scheduled for 12 September and against rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford scheduled for 18 September were postponed due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September.

October
Leeds began October by hosting Aston Villa at Elland Road on 2 October, drawing 0–0. Luis Sinisterra was shown a second yellow card and subsequently sent off for Leeds, following a foul on Jacob Ramsey in the 48th minute. Despite taking an early lead away to Crystal Palace, with Pascal Struijk scoring a 10th minute goal after Brenden Aaronson's shot hit the post, Odsonne Édouard scored a 24th minute equaliser following a free-kick by Michael Olise, before Eberechi Eze won the game 2–1 for the hosts in the 76th minute. Leeds were again defeated the following week at home to Arsenal; Bukayo Saka's 35th minute goal gave Arsenal the lead, before substitute Patrick Bamford both had a goal disallowed and missed a penalty in the second-half for Leeds as they lost 1–0. Leeds then travelled to the King Power Stadium to play Leicester City on 20 October, losing 2–0. Robin Koch opened the scoring for Leicester in the 16th minute with an own goal following a low-cross by Dennis Praet, Harvey Barnes then scored a second for Leicester in the 35th minute following a pass by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Leeds then hosted Fulham at Elland Road on 23 October, losing 3–2. Rodrigo opened the scoring for Leeds in the 20th minute following a shot by Jack Harrison, Aleksandar Mitrović the equalised for Fulham in the 26th minute following a corner by Andreas Pereira, Bobby Decordova-Reid then put Fulham ahead in the 74th minute following a cross by Pereira, Willian then scored a third for Fulham in the 84th minute following a pass by Harrison Reed, Crysencio Summerville scored a second for Leeds in second-half stoppage time following a pass by Joe Gelhardt. Leeds then travelled to Anfield to play Liverpool on 29 October, winning 2–1. Rodrigo opened the scoring for Leeds in the 4th minute after Brenden Aaronson forced Joe Gomez into a back-pass to Alisson Becker which he missed giving Rodrigo a tap-in, Mohamed Salah then equalised for Liverpool in the 14th minute following a cross by Andrew Robertson, Crysencio Summerville scored the winner for Leeds in second-half stoppage time after Patrick Bamford brought down a cross by Wilfried Gnonto.

November
Leeds began November by hosting Bournemouth at Elland Road on 5 November, winning 4–3. Rodrigo opened the scoring for Leeds in the 3rd minute with a penalty following a foul on Crysencio Summerville by Marcos Senesi, Marcus Tavernier then equalised for Bournemouth in the 7th minute following a cross by Ryan Fredericks and then Philip Billing put Bournemouth ahead following a shot by Tavernier that was saved by Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier in the 19th minute, Dominic Solanke then scored a third for Bournemouth in the 48th minute following a low-cross by Tavernier. Sam Greenwood then pulled a goal back for Leeds in the 60th minute with long-range shot following a cross by Pascal Struijk, Liam Cooper then equalised for Leeds in the 68th minute following a corner by Greenwood, Summerville scored the winner for Leeds in the 84th minute following a pass by Wilfried Gnonto. Leeds were defeated 1–0 away to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the EFL Cup third round, with Boubacar Traoré scoring the only goal of the match in 85th minute. Leeds then travelled to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to play Tottenham Hotspur on 12 November, losing 4–3. Crysencio Summerville opened the scoring for Leeds in the 10th minute following a pass by Brenden Aaronson, Harry Kane then equalised for Spurs in the 25th minute, Rodrigo then put Leeds ahead three minutes before half-time following a header towards him by Rasmus Kristensen, Ben Davies equalised for Spurs in the 51st minute, Rodrigo then put Leeds ahead again in the 76th minute, Rodrigo Bentancur then equalised for Spurs again in the 81st minute following a cross by Matt Doherty and Bentancur then scored winner for Spurs in the 83rd minute following a pass by Dejan Kulusevski. Tyler Adams was then sent off for Leeds in the 87th minute following a foul on Yves Bissouma.

December
Leeds began December by hosting Manchester City at Elland Road on 28 December, losing 3–1. Rodri opened the scoring for Manchester City in first-half stoppage time following a shot by Riyad Mahrez which was saved by Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier, Erling Haaland then scored a second for Manchester City in the 51st minute following a pass across goal by Jack Grealish, Haaland then scored a third for Manchester City in the 64th minute following another pass by Grealish. Pascal Struijk then scored a consolation goal for Leeds in the 73rd minute following a corner by Sam Greenwood. Leeds then travelled to St James' Park to play Newcastle United on New Year's Eve, drawing 0–0.

January
Leeds began January by hosting West Ham United at Elland Road on 4 January, drawing 2–2. After Wilfried Gnonto opened the scoring for Leeds with his first goal for the club in the 27th minute from a pass by Crysencio Summerville, Lucas Paquetá equalised for West Ham in first-half stoppage time for a penalty awarded following a foul on Jarrod Bowen by Pascal Struijk. Gianluca Scamacca then put West Ham ahead in the 46th minute after Brenden Aaronson gave the ball to him and Rodrigo then equalised for Leeds in the 70th minute following a pass by Jack Harrison. Leeds then travelled to the Cardiff City Stadium to play Championship club Cardiff City in the FA Cup third round on 8 January, drawing 2–2. Jaden Philogene opened the scoring for Cardiff, with Sheyi Ojo scoring a second seven minutes later. Rodrigo pulled a goal back for Leeds following a cross from Sam Greenwood. Sonny Perkins' equaliser for Leeds in second-half stoppage time, sent the match to a replay at Elland Road. Leeds would go on to win the replay 5–2 on 18 January. Wilfried Gnonto opened the scoring just 26 seconds in, before Rodrigo made it 2–0. Gnonto then scored his second of the night, with Patrick Bamford also scoring twice, after coming on as a substitute. Callum Robinson scored a pair for Cardiff, one of which was a penalty kick awarded for a handball by Marc Roca, but Leeds progressed to the fourth round of the Cup for the first time since the 2016–17 season under the management of Garry Monk. Before their FA Cup replay with Cardiff, Leeds travelled to Villa Park to play Aston Villa on 13 January and lost 2-1, with Leon Bailey opening the scoring for the home team in the third minute, following a pass from Boubacar Kamara. Emiliano Buendía then added a second for Villa in the 64th minute, following a shot by Bailey that was saved by Illan Meslier and which, after a VAR check for offside, was eventually given as onside. Patrick Bamford scored a consolation goal for Leeds in the 83rd minute, from a pass by Joe Gelhardt, but the result put pressure on Leeds' head coach Jesse Marsch as Leeds now had not won in the league since their victory over Bournemouth in November 2022. Leeds then hosted Brentford at Elland Road on 22 January, drawing 0–0. Leeds ended the month by travelling to the Wham Stadium to play League One club Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup fourth round on 28 January, winning 3–1. Jack Harrison opened the scoring for Leeds in the 23rd minute, scoring from outside the box. Junior Firpo added Leeds' second—and his first goal for the club—in the 66th minute following a pass from Bamford and just minutes later Luis Sinisterra put away Leeds' third. Leslie Adekoya scored a late consolation goal for Accrington, but Leeds progressed to the fifth round for the first time since the 2015–16 season under the management of Steve Evans.

February
Leeds began February by travelling to the City Ground to play Nottingham Forest on 5 February, losing 1–0. Brennan Johnson scored the only goal of the match in the 14th minute following a free-kick by Morgan Gibbs-White. On 6 February, it was announced that Leeds had sacked head coach Jesse Marsch following their defeat to Forest. He departed with Leeds in 17th place in the Premier League, and only outside the relegation zone on goal difference. Two days later, Leeds began to play back-to-back league matches in the space of four days against their Roses rivals, Manchester United. Michael Skubala took charge of Leeds' trip to Old Trafford on 8 February, drawing 2–2. Wilfried Gnonto put Leeds in front inside the first minute following a pass from Patrick Bamford. Raphaël Varane doubled Leeds' advantage in the 48th minute turning the ball into his own net, following a cross from Crysencio Summerville. Marcus Rashford's 62nd minute header made it 2–1, following a cross from Diogo Dalot. Jadon Sancho equalised for Manchester United in the 70th minute. On 12 February, the two sides met again this time at Elland Road, with Manchester United winning 2–0 following late goals from Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho. On 18 February, Leeds travelled to Goodison Park to play Everton, losing 1–0. Séamus Coleman scored the only goal of the game in the 64th minute following a pass from Alex Iwobi. On 21 February, it was announced that Leeds had appointed former Watford boss Javi Gracia as manager subject to a work permit. On 25 February, Leeds hosted Southampton at Elland Road, winning 1–0. Junior Firpo scored the only goal of the game in the 77th minute, following a pass from Jack Harrison. Leeds ended February by travelling to Craven Cottage to play Fulham in the FA Cup fifth round on 28 February, losing 2–0. João Palhinha and Manor Solomon the goalscorers.

March
Leeds began March by travelling to Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea, losing 1–0. Wesley Fofana scored the only goal of the game from a corner. Leeds hosted Brighton & Hove Albion at Elland Road on 11 March, drawing 2–2. Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring for Brighton before Patrick Bamford equalised five minutes before halftime. Solly March put the visitors ahead again before Jack Harrison equalised for Leeds for a second time. Leeds ended March by travelling to Molineux to play Wolverhampton Wanderers on 18 March, winning 4–2. Jack Harrison opened the scoring following a pass from Wilfried Gnonto. Luke Ayling extended Leeds’ lead heading in unmarked from a corner. Rasmus Kristensen scored Leeds’ third, seconds after coming on as a substitute. Johnny and Matheus Cunha reduced the deficit for the hosts, Rodrigo ensured Leeds’ second away league win of the season, scoring their fourth.

April
Leeds began April by travelling to the Emirates Stadium to play league leaders Arsenal, losing 4–1. Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring with a penalty following a tackle from Luke Ayling. Jesus also scored Arsenal’s second after a cut-back from Leandro Trossard, before Ben White scored Arsenal’s third, following a cross from Gabriel Martinelli. Rasmus Kristensen scored a consolation for Leeds, before Granit Xhaka scored a fourth six minutes from time. This was followed by a 2–1 home victory over relegation rivals Nottingham Forest, where Jack Harrison and Luis Sinisterra scored first-half goals to put Leeds ahead after Orel Mangala opened the scoring for Forest. Leeds then hosted another relegation rival in Crystal Palace on 9 April. A Patrick Bamford header from a corner (his fiftieth goal for the club) saw Leeds take a first-half lead, though Palace equalised through Marc Guéhi minutes before halftime. Palace scored four times in the second half however, with Michael Olise registering a hat-trick of assists to consign Leeds to a 5–1 defeat. A 6–1 defeat at home to Liverpool followed, with Luis Sinisterra scoring Leeds' only goal early in the second half following a mistake by Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté. Leeds travelled to Craven Cottage to play Fulham on 22 April, losing 2–1. Harry Wilson opened the scoring for Fulham in the second-half. Andreas Pereira then doubled Fulham's lead. João Palhinha then scored an own goal seven minutes later to act as consolation for Leeds. Leeds hosted Leicester City at Elland Road on 25 April, drawing 1–1. Luis Sinisterra opened the scoring for Leeds following a cross from Jack Harrison. Jamie Vardy then equalised for Leicester City with ten minutes left. Leeds ended April by travelling to the Vitality Stadium to play relegation rivals Bournemouth on 30 April, losing 4–1. Jefferson Lerma opened the scoring for Bournemouth, Lerma then doubled Bournemouth's lead four minutes later with his second goal of the match and with minutes remaining of the first-half Patrick Bamford then pulled a goal back for Leeds. In the second-half, Dominic Solanke then scored a third for the home side. Antoine Semenyo then scored a fourth for Bournemouth.

May
On 2 May, it was announced that Director of Football Victor Orta had left the club by mutual consent following the club’s 4–1 loss to Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on 30 April. The following day, manager Javi Gracia left the club, being replaced by former England manager Sam Allardyce; ex Oxford United and Charlton Athletic manager Karl Robinson and former Leeds and Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane would join him. Leeds began May by travelling to the Etihad Stadium to play title-chasing Manchester City, losing 2–1 in Allardyce's first match in charge. İlkay Gündoğan opened the scoring for City in the following a cross by Riyad Mahrez, Gündoğan then doubled City's lead in the following another cross by Mahrez and in the second-half following a penalty miss by Gündoğan, Rodrigo then scored a consolation for Leeds with five minutes remaining. Leeds then hosted Newcastle United at Elland Road on 13 May, drawing 2–2. Luke Ayling opened the scoring for Leeds inside the first ten minutes following a cross by Patrick Bamford, then Bamford saw his penalty kick saved by Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope following a foul on Junior Firpo. Callum Wilson equalised with a penalty kick following a foul on Alexander Isak by Max Wöber. Wilson then put Newcastle ahead with just over twenty minutes remaining with another penalty kick following a handball by Firpo. Rasmus Kristensen drew Leeds level with just over ten minutes left via a deflection off Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier. Firpo was shown a second yellow card by referee Simon Hooper for a foul on Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon. Leeds travelled to the London Stadium to face West Ham United on 21 May, losing 3–1. Rodrigo opened the scoring for Leeds following a throw in from Weston McKennie. Declan Rice then equalised for West Ham following a cross from Jarrod Bowen. Bowen then put the hosts in-front following a pass from Danny Ings. Manuel Lanzini scored West Ham’s third in second half stoppage time following a pass from Lucas Paquetá. Leeds hosted Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road on 28 May, losing 4–1. Harry Kane opened the scoring for Tottenham with just two minutes played following a cross from Son Heung-min, Pedro Porro then doubled Tottenham's advantage just after the interval. Jack Harrison scored a consolation goal for Leeds following a cross from Georginio Rutter, Kane then added a third for Tottenham. Lucas Moura added a late fourth in second-half added time. Following this result Leeds were relegated to the Championship.

Pre-season and friendlies
The club announced they would travel to Australia during their pre-season preparations, with matches against Brisbane Roar, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace. Two further friendlies against Blackpool and Cagliari were added to the schedule.

During the mid-season winter break, Leeds announced that they would play a friendly against Elche at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero. Two further friendlies at Elland Road against Real Sociedad and Monaco were also added.

Matches
On 16 June, the Premier League fixtures were released.

FA Cup
Leeds travelled to the Cardiff City Stadium to play Championship club Cardiff City in the third round on 8 January 2023, drawing 2–2. Jaden Philogene opened the scoring for Cardiff, Sheyi Ojo scored a second for Cardiff seven minutes later. Rodrigo pulled a goal back for Leeds following a cross from Sam Greenwood. Sonny Perkins equalised for Leeds with his first goal for the club in second-half stoppage time to send the match to a replay at Elland Road.

Leeds would go on to win the replay 5–2 on 18 January. Wilfried Gnonto opened the scoring just 26 seconds in, before Rodrigo made it 2–0. Gnonto then scored his second of the night, Patrick Bamford scored twice after coming on as a substitute. Callum Robinson scored two consolations for Cardiff, one of which was a penalty kick awarded for a handball by Marc Roca, but Leeds progressed to the fourth round for the first time since the 2016–17 season under the management of Garry Monk.

Leeds travelled to The Wham Stadium to play EFL League One club Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup fourth round on 28 January, winning 3–1. Jack Harrison opened the scoring for Leeds in the 23rd minute, scoring from outside the box. Junior Firpo added Leeds' second in the 66th minute following a pass from Patrick Bamford with his first goal for the club, minutes later Luis Sinisterra added Leeds' third. Leslie Adekoya scored a consultation for Accrington, but Leeds progressed to the fifth round for the first time since the 2015–16 season under the management of Steve Evans.

Leeds travelled to Craven Cottage to play Fulham in the FA Cup fifth round on 28 February, losing 2–0. João Palhinha and Manor Solomon the goalscorers.

EFL Cup
Leeds entered the competition in the second round and were given a home tie against Barnsley with Leeds winning the match 3–1 with Luis Sinisterra opening the scoring for Leeds, Mateusz Klich doubled their lead from the penalty spot before Mads Andersen pulled a goal back for Barnsley and then Klich made sure that Leeds were in the draw for the third round. In the third round Leeds were drawn away at Molineux, against Wolverhampton Wanderers and they lost the match 1–0 with a goal from Boubacar Traoré.

Appearances and goals
The plus (+) symbol denotes an appearance as a substitute, hence 2+1 indicates two appearances in the starting XI and one appearance as a substitute.

Stuart Dallas was unable to return from injury to make an appearance this season. Kristoffer Klaesson, Amari Miller, Diogo Monteiro, Alfie McCalmont, Dani van den Heuvel, Charlie Allen, Kris Moore, James Debayo, Joe Snowdon, Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen and Archie Gray were all unused substitutes named in at least one matchday squad.

Disciplinary record
''Includes all competitive matches. The list is sorted by squad number when total cards / disciplinary points are equal. Players with no cards not included in the list.''