Leeds may not be cursed but fear of failure runs deep

A month ago, Leeds were merrily on top of the Championship.

- Jonathan Wilson

They had just beaten Sunderland with two late goals and Sheffield United with three. They had gone 16 games unbeaten and were playing with authority and conviction. More than that, they seemed to have the deepest squad in the Championship. The Sunderland game had turned when they brought on Willy Gnonto and Largie Ramazani; nobody else in the division could bring that sort of quality off the bench.

Since then they have won one of five games and slipped to second. It's happening again.

Saturday's game with Swansea was simultaneously thrilling and extremely predictable. Brenden Aaronson put Leeds ahead in the first minute, the sort of goal that is usually said to calm nerves. But there is such a thing as scoring too early. Leeds never really got going. Illan Meslier saved a penalty and Swansea hit the post before equalising after Meslier dropped a corner.

Gnonto seemed to have won it with four minutes remaining but, six minutes into injury time, Zan Vipotnik's drive went through the Leeds keeper. The 2-2 draw meant Sheffield United, who beat Coventry on Friday night, remained top and Leeds are now level on points with third-placed Burnley.