Category: Leeds United

Wolverhampton Wanders 2 – Leeds United 3 – HT 2-0

Castro Otto (26′),                     Harrison (63′), Rodrigo (66′)

Machado Trincão (45’+11)      Ayling (90’+1)

Assists –

Machado Trincão (26′),           Greenwood (66′)

Podence (45’+11)

Luke Ayling scored an injury-time winner as Leeds came back from two goals down to beat 10-man Wolves in a pulsating encounter at Molineux and move seven points clear of the relegation zone.

A bizarre, bruising and breathless Premier League contest was turned on its head by Raul Jimenez’s red card eight minutes into the second half.

At that point, Wolves were cruising, ahead in the game thanks to Jonny’s first goal since July 2020 and a superb effort from Francisco Trincao in the 11th minute of first-half stoppage time – and facing a side forced into three injury-related first-half substitutions.

But when Jimenez, who had already been booked, collided with Illan Meslier chasing a 50-50 ball, referee Kevin Friend decided the Mexican was at fault and produced a second yellow card.

The Leeds keeper could not continue and became the fourth visiting player to be replaced because of injury, joining the only recently returned Patrick Bamford on the bench.

Amid the chaos, Wolves completely lost their way. Jack Harrison turned home the loose ball after Ayling had first struck a post to make it 2-1, then had the rebound cleared off the line.

And three minutes later, after a Dan James effort had come back off the woodwork, Rodrigo’s shot flew in as Conor Coady tried to clear off the line.

Then, just as eight minutes of injury time was being signalled, Ayling reacted quickest as the ball bounced on the edge of the six-yard box and smashed it home before being mobbed by ecstatic team-mates.

This was a very important win for Leeds United, hopefully the road now to staying up in the Premiership.

League position 16th after 30 games – After 30 games last season, Leeds were 10th.

Head coach Marcelo Bielsa has been sacked by Leeds United after a run of poor form that saw his side suffer several heavy defeats.

The 66-year-old Argentine, appointed in June 2018, leaves with the Whites two points above the relegation zone.

Under Bielsa, Leeds finished ninth last season on their return to the Premier League after a 16-year absence.

But Saturday’s 4-0 defeat by Tottenham meant they had lost their past four games by an aggregate score of 17-2.

Yes Leeds have been badly affected by injuries this season, but for some strange reason he didn’t want to change the style we played.

You can’t concede 17 goals in four games and not do something different.

It’s sad to see him go after what he has done for the club.

Hopefully we can do enough to stay up.

Liverpool 6 – Leeds United 0 – HT 3-0

Salah (15 pen, 35 pen),

 Matip (30), Mané (80, 90),

 van Dijk (90+3)

Assists

Salah (30), Henderson (80),

Robertson (90+3)

Rampant Liverpool closed the gap on leaders Manchester City to three points after cruising to a sixth Premier League win in a row at Leeds United’s expense at a raucous Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp’s side warmed up for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final with an utterly dominant display that included three goals in 20 first-half minutes.

Two of those came from penalties by Mohamed Salah, who also set up defender Joel Matip for his first goal since December 2020.

Sadio Mane added two late goals and Virgil van Dijk scored with an added-time header.

Leeds are as deeply in a relegation battle as Liverpool are in a title race after a humiliating defeat on Merseyside.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side started the day with a five-point cushion but this dispiriting result – coupled with Burnley’s win over Tottenham – means they are just three points above the bottom three having played more games than the trio immediately below them.

Bielsa’s side have conceded 56 goals this season – the highest number in the Premier League – including 31 in the past nine matches.

This was not a good day at all, on top of the other recent performances, we can’t score and letting goals in at will.

League position 15th after 25 games – After 25 games last season, Leeds were 10th.

SUN 16 Jan 2022 PREMIER LEAGUE

West Ham United 2 – Leeds United 3 – HT 1-2

Bowen (33), Fornals (52) – Harrison (10, 37, 60)

Assists

Cresswell (33), Antonio (52) – Forshaw (10), Ayling (37), Raphinha (60)

Jack Harrison scored his first career hat-trick as Leeds United avenged last week’s FA Cup defeat with a thrilling Premier League victory over West Ham at London Stadium.

The visitors, who lost 2-0 seven days ago, were pegged back twice before Harrison scored the pick of his three goals with a neat chip over Lukasz Fabianski as Leeds made it consecutive league wins for the first time this season.

Harrison opened the scoring with a fierce strike in the 10th minute but West Ham recovered from their lacklustre start to equalise through the in-form Jarrod Bowen.

Leeds took the lead again before the interval as Harrison sneaked in at the back post to convert off his thigh from Luke Ayling’s downward header following a corner.

Pablo Fornals scored his first goal since November to draw the Hammers level for a second time in the 52nd minute, but Harrison sealed victory eight minutes later.

Bowen, who had earlier scored his fourth goal in three games, missed a golden chance in the final seconds to draw the hosts level as he could only chest the ball over the bar from a few yards when unmarked.

League position 15th after 20 games – After 20 games last season, Leeds were 12th.

SUN 05 DEC 2021 PREMIER LEAGUE

Leeds United 2 – Brentford 2 – HT 1-0

Roberts (27), Bamford (90+5) – Baptiste (54), Canós (61)

Assists

Raphinha (27), Ayling (90+5) – Mbeumo (61)

Patrick Bamford returned from injury to score a stoppage-time leveller off the bench for Leeds against Brentford at Elland Road.

Tyler Roberts put the hosts in front at half-time but two goals either side of the hour from Shandon Baptiste and Sergi Canos almost secured a second win in three league games for the Bees.

Despite Bamford’s return Leeds’ injury issues continued, with captain Liam Cooper hobbling off after 15 minutes to be replaced by Jack Harrison and Kalvin Phillips withdrawn in the second half.

Just shy of the half-hour mark, Roberts, on his 100th appearance for Leeds, opened the scoring.

The Wales forward stayed onside to steer home Raphinha’s second cross in quick succession, after the Brazilian’s initial effort was cleared by Pontus Jansson.

Luke Ayling, returning to the side after more than two months out, almost doubled the hosts’ lead moments after the restart, heading Raphinha’s free-kick towards the top corner only for Alvaro Fernandez to deny him with an acrobatic save.

Brentford levelled through Baptiste on 54 minutes, the midfielder reacting quickest after Canos’ cross was deflected and placing a finish past Illan Meslier from the edge of the area.

The momentum changed and seven minutes later the turnaround was complete. Moments after missing a great opportunity Canos fired the Bees ahead, combining with Bryan Mbeumo before lashing home.

League position 14th after 15 games – After 15 games last season, Leeds were 11th.

SUN 31 OCT 2021 PREMIER LEAGUE

Norwich City 1 – Leeds United 2 HT 0-0

Omobamidele (58) – Raphinha (56), Rodrigo (60)

Assists

Rashica (58′) – James (56), Phillips (60)

Bottom club Norwich City remain without a Premier League win 10 games into the season after slumping to defeat against fellow strugglers Leeds United at Carrow Road.

After a dour first half, the match burst into life when Raphinha dribbled past three players to fire the visitors into a 56th-minute lead after being picked out by Dan James.

Norwich were level inside two minutes when 19-year-old defender Andrew Omobamidele headed home from a corner needlessly conceded by keeper Illan Meslier.

But Leeds restored their advantage on the hour through Rodrigo’s long-range effort after Norwich had lost possession outside their own box.

This was Leeds first away win of the season and we need to improve for sure.

League position 17th after 10 games – After 10 games last season, Leeds were 11th.

FRI 17 SEPT 2021 PREMIER LEAGUE

Newcastle United 1 Leeds United 1 HT 1-1

Saint-Maximin (44’minutes) Raphinha (13’minutes)

Assists –

Joelinton (44’minutes) Bamford (13’minutes)

Allan Saint-Maximin’s fine equaliser lifted the pressure on Newcastle boss Steve Bruce as his side earned a point against Leeds.

After a week when Bruce had to defend his position following further criticism from fans, the mood turned ugly inside a packed St James’ Park when Raphinha cut in from the right and sent his cross into the far corner of Karl Darlow’s goal after 13 minutes.

As Leeds threatened to run riot against a disjointed Newcastle, “we want Brucey out” was sung by all sides of the stadium.

Marcelo Bielsa’s free-spirited side should have been further ahead before the break, but after Matt Ritchie hit a post, Saint-Maximin lifted the mood when he danced around the Leeds defence before finding the bottom corner.

It was a massive goal for both Newcastle and Bruce, who punched the air in delight, and restored some equilibrium after a torrid first half.

There was less stress for Bruce after the break as Newcastle switched to four at the back and Saint-Maximin twice tested Illan Meslier in the Leeds goal.

The result left both sides still searching for their first win of the season, and at the wrong end of the table.

League position 16th after 5 games

Saturday 14th August 2021 – PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester United 5 Leeds United 1 1-0 HT

Bruno Fernandes (30’minutes, 54’minutes, 60’minutes), – Ayling (49’minutes)
Greenwood (52’minutes),
Fred (68’minutes)

Assists – Pogba (30’minutes, 52’minutes, 54’minutes, 68’minutes), Lindelöf (60’minutes) – Dallas (49’minutes)

Can you believe the season is back and not the way we would have wanted to start, though you could say a slight improvement as we lost this fixture 6-2 last season.

Bruno Fernandes scored an opening-day hat-trick as Manchester United swept Leeds aside with a devastating second-half display.

The Portugal midfielder opened the scoring on the half-hour at a packed Old Trafford, but Luke Ayling’s thunderous strike drew Leeds level early in the second half.

Mason Greenwood restored the hosts’ lead with a crisp finish less than two minutes later, before Fernandes’ low shot was ruled to have crossed the line by referee Paul Tierney after a check of goal-line technology.

The 26-year-old quickly completed his hat-trick with a thumping finish from Victor Lindelof’s pass, before Fred added United’s fourth goal in 14 minutes from Paul Pogba’s cross – the Frenchman’s fourth assist of the afternoon.

For a team whose league record at Old Trafford is poor – Leeds have not won here since 1981.

League position 20th after 1 match.

Sun May 23rd 2021 PREMIER LEAGUE

Leeds United 3 West Bromwich Albion 1 FT – 2-0 HT

Rodrigo (17’minutes), Phillips (42’minutes), Bamford (79’minutes pen) – Robson-Kanu (90’minutes)

Assists Raphinha (17’minutes)

Leeds United ended their first season back in the Premier League with a fourth successive victory as they comfortably beat relegated West Brom in front of the returning fans at Elland Road.

Able to watch their side at home in the top-flight for the first time in 17 years, 8,000 Leeds supporters created a suitable party atmosphere to celebrate the club’s stellar campaign, and Marcelo Bielsa’s side produced a fitting finale.

Goals from Rodrigo, Kalvin Phillips and substitute Patrick Bamford ensured the hosts end the season ninth, after one defeat in their final 11 games.

Leeds won four in a row in a single Premier League season for the first time since April 2001.

Leeds’ striker Patrick Bamford scored his 17th Premier League goal of the season, the most by a player for a promoted club in a top-flight campaign since Charlie Austin for QPR in 2014-15 (18).

Raphinha registered his ninth Premier League assist for Leeds, the first player to do so in a top-flight season for the club since both Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (13) and Harry Kewell (nine) in 1998-99.

Final league position 9th after 38 games