Ethan Ampadu: 'It didn't really feel like a 2-0 game' - Leeds captain reacts to Bournemouth defeat

Ethan Ampadu admitted Leeds United were left frustrated after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League, with the Whites captain believing the final scoreline did not tell the full story of Saturday's encounter.

Daniel Farke's side travelled to the Vitality Stadium looking to return to winning ways but were unable to halt Bournemouth's impressive run of form, with goals from Evanilson and Amine Adli securing all three points for the hosts.

Leeds made an encouraging start and thought they had taken the lead through Dominic Calvert-Lewin, only for VAR to intervene and rule out the striker's effort for handball.

The Cherries subsequently took the lead through Evanilson in the 31st minute before Adli added a second deep into stoppage time.

Despite the disappointing result, Ampadu felt the contest had been much closer than the scoreline suggested, acknowledging that Bournemouth's clinical finishing ultimately proved the difference between the two sides.

"Yeah, absolutely frustrating," the Leeds captain explained after the final whistle.

"It didn't really feel like a 2-0 game, but it is at the end of the day so we have to look at what we can do better. They only had a couple of chances and they put them in the back of the net. Maybe as a team, as a whole team, we can be better."

The Welsh international recognised the intensity of the challenge awaiting Leeds against an opponent who have established themselves as one of the Premier League's most difficult sides to play against.

Both teams entered the fixture with an aggressive approach, and Ampadu explained that matching Bournemouth's energy and winning the individual battles across the pitch had been central to Leeds' preparations.

"We knew they play with a lot of intensity, and so do we. So we wanted to make sure that we matched that. We wanted to win that battle and we knew that this game was going to come down to small chances."

Ultimately, Leeds were unable to make their positive moments count, while Bournemouth demonstrated the composure required to take advantage of their opportunities.

The disallowed Calvert-Lewin goal represented a significant moment in the contest, particularly given the visitors' promising opening, but Ampadu was keen to focus on what his side could learn rather than dwell on the disappointment.

The captain acknowledged that the outcome could have been different had Leeds been more effective in key moments, although he accepted that the result was now something the squad needed to reflect upon.

"Maybe on another day the game would go a bit differently, but unfortunately today it wasn't to be," he continued.

"So, yeah, like I said at the start, we have to look back on it and see what we can do better."

With Leeds now needing to turn encouraging spells of performance into positive results, Ampadu's comments underline the frustration within the dressing room following a defeat that could arguably have been much closer.

For Farke and his players, the focus will quickly turn towards their next Premier League assignment, with the Whites looking to respond and ensure the lessons from the south coast are put into practice.