- Actor Will Ferrell invested in Leeds United back in May, but it was a sad visit
- Leeds lost 1-0 to Burnley on the day they commemorated the late Sol Bamba
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As ‘Marching On Together’ was sung prior to the march down Elland Road, Will Ferrell grinned and turned his phone around to capture this famous old ground.
For Ferrell, an avid sports fan and the latest high-profile investor in Leeds United through 49ers Enterprises, this Saturday afternoon performance of the Leeds anthem was a real sensation.
“I think it’s fantastic. It’s exactly what I was told it would be and we haven’t even started the game yet,” he said on his first visit to Leeds since becoming a stakeholder at the club.
Yet by the end of the afternoon it was a game to forget as Leeds were reminded by Burnley of just how ruthless the Championship can be, and their tactical masterclass under Scott Parker showed why many expect them to return to the Premier League at their first attempt.
Daniel Farke’s team dominated possession with 72 percent but were sloppy in front of goal. Manor Solomon’s mistake was mercilessly punished by Luca Koleosho, with Burnley holding on to inflict Leeds’ first league defeat of the season.
“It’s the most frustrating thing in football when you go back to the dressing room and you can hardly explain how you lost the game,” Farke complained afterwards.
Will Ferrell was present when Leeds United lost 1-0 to Burnley
The actor – who is also a co-owner of LA FC – bought a stake in the Yorkshrie club in May
Luca Koleosho scored the only goal of the game as Burnley continued their strong start
“It’s a massive three points for us,” Parker said. “This is a tough place to come from and the basis of this result was everything we stand for as a team – the courage, the determination and the fighting spirit. We showed all of that and that’s why we got three points,” Parker added.
Before the game, a tribute was held at the stadium to former Leeds captain Sol Bamba, who tragically passed away last month at the age of 39. Leeds should have taken the lead in the first minute when Mateo Joseph robbed Maxime Esteve and had free reign at Elland Road, but with only James Trafford left to beat, Joseph fired wide.
“I’ll probably have my shirt off after five minutes,” Ferrell admitted in his pre-match interview, but it wasn’t to be.
And Leeds were made to pay the price in the 18th minute when Solomon slipped and Koleosho showed the composure that Joseph lacked with a superb 70-yard run followed by a perfect finish to give Leeds their first goal in the Championship since the opening day of the season.
The home side responded with a shot from Willy Gnonto for Trafford as he was through on goal and when Joe Worrall came from behind to tackle Solomon in the penalty area, a penalty looked inevitable.
However, much to the disappointment of the home crowd, referee James Bell felt Worrall had received the ball in a good manner.
Tributes were paid to former Leeds captain Sol Bamba prior to kick-off at Elland Road
“We should have had a penalty, there’s no doubt about that,” Farke complained afterwards.
Ethan Ampadu forced Trafford into a superb save after the break and Farke made all five of his substitutions in pursuit of an equaliser, but Spirited failed to come back and ultimately it was Burnley (also part-owned by US celebrities such as former NFL star JJ Watt and his wife Kealia) who had the final say, despite a red card for Bashir Humphreys who received a second yellow card in injury time.
