Liam Bridcutt impresses for Leeds

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The 27-year-old was arguably Leeds United’s best player.

Liam Bridcutt was unable to inspire Leeds United to victory in his first match as captain as the Whites went down 1-0 at home to Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

Aaron Mooy’s 55th-minute was enough to settle a fierce Yorkshire derby in which Bridcutt was perhaps a touch fortunate to avoid serious injury.

Before the break, the Leeds midfielder, a summer signing from Sunderland, was the victim of a two-footed lunge by Mooy, but the 27-year-old, to his credit, was back on his feet immediately in a moment which summed up his character.

Manager Garry Monk called it a “horrendous” challenge, and the Scotland international may have been tempted to stay down and influence the referee into dishing out something worse than a yellow card.

But Bridcutt’s honesty was not the most impressive aspect of his performance.

With 10 ball recoveries and 11 successful won duels, Bridcutt seemed every inch the combative figure in midfield which Leeds loved during his loan spell last term.

He also managed two interceptions, and won five of his nine attempted tackles, but perhaps one criticism can be found in his passing statistics.

There seemed to be a lack of urgency from Leeds – who mustered two shots on goal – all afternoon, and this may stem from defensive midfield. Only 12 of Bridcutt’s 30 passes went forward, meaning that 18 either went sideways or backwards.

Still, overall he was perhaps their best player on the park, but even Bridcutt might wonder if the result could have been different had he not been as honest as he is.