Brentford 1-1 Leeds: Dominic Calvert-Lewin earns Daniel Farke's side a draw to go three points clear of drop zone
Report and free match highlights as Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson's second-half strike is cancelled out by Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin's header; Leeds end a run of four away defeats and become first side to take points off Brentford at home since Man City in October
Sunday 14 December 2025 20:05, UK
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored for the fourth Premier League game running as Leeds United came from behind to draw 1-1 at Brentford and move three points clear of the relegation zone.
Daniel Farke's changes once again made the difference for Leeds with substitute Wilfried Gnonto delivering an inch-perfect cross for Calvert-Lewin to head in an 82nd-minute equaliser after Jordan Henderson had opened the scoring earlier in the half.
Defeat for West Ham earlier in the day ensured Leeds could not be pulled back into the relegation zone and by becoming the first side to take points off Brentford at home since Manchester City in October they have created extra breathing room for themselves.
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VAR had denied Brentford a penalty for offside after it was ruled that Gabriel Gudmundsson had brought down Dango Ouattara illegally in the box. The contact was minimal and justice was served by the VAR, albeit the officials took far too long to reach a decision.
Brentford were disappointing for a side with such a formidable home record, winning their last three at the Gtech Community Stadium coming into this, but Keith Andrews will be pleased to see the gap between them and the bottom three stretched to seven points.
For Leeds, this was a comedown from the thrill of the last three games, in which they scored eight goals and picked up four points against Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool, but they are now three games unbeaten in the Premier League for the first time since the 2022/23 season.
Calvert-Lewin rediscovering best form
There was scepticism around Calvert-Lewin's ability to rediscover his best form when Leeds signed him on a free in the summer transfer window, but he has proved a lot of people wrong over the last four games.
This is Calvert-Lewin's most prolific run of form in the Premier League since 2020, when he scored in five consecutive games between September and October. Back then he was in the England team.
Whether Thomas Tuchel would even consider the 28-year-old for a recall remains to be seen, but it shows how far Calvert-Lewin has come since joining Leeds. Farke says the England boss can call him any time to discuss the striker.
His header in this game earned a crucial point that could prove vital come the end of the season. If he keeps delivering like this, he might become the signing of the summer.
Leeds must keep him fit to ensure they give themselves the best chance of survival. Calvert-Lewin is quickly becoming one of the first names on the team sheet for Farke.
Calvert-Lewin: Fittest I've been in a long time
Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin to Sky Sports:
"I'm feeling good, the performances are speaking for themselves at the moment. Feeling good, feeling healthy, this is the fittest I've been in a long time. I've worked extremely hard to get in this position.
"When you get a certain narrative around you and tarred with a brush, it's hard to shake it. It's always been about being mentally tough, hanging in there and step by step putting performances together.
"All of a sudden, the tide starts to turn and you start scoring goals. That's the life of a centre-forward.
"It's all uncontrollables. In football if you let external stuff bother you, that's when you get in a rut. I keep my circle small, my wife, my daughter and my dad and I think that keeps me grounded."
On potential England call-up for World Cup:
"It's always the goal, to play for your country and represent them at a World Cup, but my job is to do as best I can for Leeds and that's what I came to do. Play my best football here and the rest will take care of itself."
Farke: Tuchel can call me any time about Calvert-Lewin
Leeds boss Daniel Farke on Calvert-Lewin:
"Harry Kane is playing in Germany for Bayern Munich, but in the Premier League for me he's definitely one of the best English strikers, and for that he will also be an important and key player for us going forward.
"When the ball comes in like this, he's unstoppable and excellent with his headers."
"I've got such a good relationship to Thomas [Tuchel]. He will know exactly what he needs to win the World Cup.
"If you deliver with consistency, then every manager and coach in the world is aware and will be ready for this. Dominic has proven this before. He has several caps at least for England.
"If he keeps going like this, I think his goals are even more remarkable for a promoted side who can't play that dominant, like sides who are fighting for the title. Then there are also more chances to be in the spotlight.
"My relationship to Thomas is so close. He knows when he has any questions, he can call my number and we can speak about it. But it always depends on the performances. The sky's the limit for him."
Henderson dedicates goal to Diogo Jota
Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson to Sky Sports:
"It was [Diogo Jota's] birthday recently and we'll never forget him. We will always remember him forever. I can only imagine what the lads at Liverpool are going through.
"He was a good friend. I don't score many goals so when I did, I thought I'd dedicate it to him."
Andrews: We take the point and move on
Brentford boss Keith Andrews:
"Overall, I felt it was a team that we faced today that were in a good place, a really good place. It was always going to be difficult. They've had some big performances and results lately. We dust ourselves down, we take the point and we move on."
