Jesse Lingard plays first full FC Seoul game as Ulsan snatch top spot

The Pohang Steelers now sit in second place, one point behind defending champions Ulsan HD, while FC Seoul are in ninth place with 16 points — five points above last-place Daejeon Hana Citizen.

FC Seoul's Jesse Lingard, center, dribbles the ball during a K League 1 match against the Pohang Steelers at Pohang Steelyard in Pohang, North Gyeongsang in a photo shared on FC Seoul's official Instagram account on Monday. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

FC Seoul midfielder Jesse Lingard played a full 90 minutes for the first time in the K League 1 on Saturday against the Pohang Steelers, but his side drew 2-2 and slipped one place down to ninth on the league table.

Playing as one of the two forwards in the 4-4-2 formation at Pohang Steelyard in Pohang, North Gyeongsang, Lingard did not just stay in the penalty box, but made movements outside the box and on the sides to make crosses and passes for his teammates, although they failed to capitalize.

FC Seoul technically scored first, with defender Lee Tae-seok failing to clear a cross and scoring an own goal in the fourth minute to put Pohang up 1-0.

Stanislav Iljutcenko equalized in the 41st minute, turning in the rebound that defender Eo Jeong-won could not clear.

The Steelers made it 2-1 with a penalty by Lee Ho-jae in the 84th minute, but the capital side equalized again with a goal by Lin Sang-hyub three minutes later, sharing one point each in the end.

Saturday’s draw pushed both sides one spot down on the 12-team table. The Steelers now sit in second place, one point behind defending champions Ulsan HD, while FC Seoul are in ninth place with 16 points — five points above last-place Daejeon Hana Citizen.

Lingard’s improved form, however, is a bright sign for FC Seoul. Throughout Saturday’s match, the English midfielder made multiple one-touch passes that allowed his side to progress build-ups and transition quickly, displaying a glimpse of his glory days in the Premier League.

The former Manchester United midfielder has now played five matches since he joined FC Seoul in February, although he has yet to record a goal or an assist.

Reigning champions Ulsan, meanwhile, thrashed Daejeon 4-1 at home on Saturday and took the top spot on the table.

Ulsan HD celebrate during a K League 1 match against Daejeon Hana Citizen at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium in UIsan in a photo shared on Ulsan's official Facebook account on Sunday. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

The loss extends Daejeon’s winless streak to five games. The poor run to the 2024 campaign also prompted then-manager Lee Min-sung to resign last week, with interim manager Jung Kwang-seok taking the helm.

Over in Jeonju, North Jeolla, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors recorded a goalless draw with Gimcheon Sangmu.

Incheon United also drew 1-1 with Gwangju FC at Incheon Football Stadium on the same day where they played without fans in the supporters’ zone. The K League had forced Incheon to shut down the section as a punishment for fans who threw water bottles onto the pitch after a game against FC Seoul on May 11.

Due to the punishment that forces Incheon to close the zone for five home games, the club cannot operate it until they host Suwon FC on July 21.

Four other teams were in action on Sunday.

Gangwon FC beat Daegu FC 2-1 in Daegu thanks to the stoppage time winner by Hwang Mun-ki. Jeju United also secured three points after a 1-0 win over Suwon at home.

All 12 K League teams will be back for mid-week action this week.

FC Seoul will travel south to face Gimcheon, while Gwangju host the Steelers at home on Tuesday.

Daegu will travel north to face Suwon, and league leaders Ulsan will also travel up north to take on Incheon.

Gangwon will take on Jeonbuk in Gangwon, and last-place Daejeon will face Jeju at home.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]