West Brom 1 Leeds United 1 - Patrick Bamford provides Whites spark to earn Baggies point

A second half own goal from West Brom defender Kyle Bartley earned Leeds United a 1-1 draw with the Baggies on New Year's Day. Marcelo Bielsa named the same starting line-up for the second visit to the Midlands in four days as Eddie Nketiah kept his place up front. Patrick Bamford returned to the bench in place of Tyler Roberts, who was left out due to a tight hamstring. It was a nightmare start for Leeds as Albion opened the scoring with their first attack of the game inside two minutes. Kiko Casilla failed to clear a corner with a punch as the ball bounced around the Whites box it was forced home by Semi Ajayi with referee Robert Jones requiring goal-line technology to award the strike. United responded well from the early setback as they enjoyed strong spells of possession but it was Casilla who was again forced into action. The Spaniard kept out a Matheus Pereira free-kick before Matt Phillips failed to convert as he burst through on goal with the goalkeeper's legs providing the all important intervention. Leeds pushed on but failed to make any breakthrough in what was a cagey first half. Bielsa responded by making a double substution at the break as Bamford and Barry Douglas replaced Nketiah and Gjanni Alioski. It was an immediate impact from the striker as he levelled up proceedings shortly after the interval. Stuart Dallas swung in a ball from the left which was met by the head of the striker before taking a big deflection off Albion defender Kyle Bartley and into the net. United were sparked into action as they tested the hosts defence with a spell of sustained pressure. Bielsa's men failed to make the breakthrough, though, as the game ebbed and flowed between the two teams. Casilla again kept out a free-kick as Albion caught a second wind. There was to be a worrying moment at the back for the Baggies as Johnstone left his box to sweep up a Ben White long ball. The goalkeeper was caught in possession by Bamford but luckily for the hosts his touch was heavy and out of play. It was a frantic finish between the two sides as Bamford again burst through and drilled low at Johnstone's legs before Casilla brilliantly tipped a Kyle Edwards shot over the bar from inside the area. The pair, though, couldn't be separated as the points were shared at the top of the Championship. West Brom: Johnstone, Furlong, Bartley, Ajayi, Gibbs, Sawyers, Livermore, Phillips, Krovinovic, Pereira, Robson-Kanu. Subs: Bond, Hegazi, Barry, Edwards, Zohore, Austin. Leeds United: Casilla, Ayling, White, Cooper, Alioski, Dallas, Phillips, Klich, Harrison, Costa, Nketiah. Subs: Meslier, Casey, Douglas, Berardi, Gotts, Stevens, Bamford. Attendance: 25,618 (Away: 1,989)