Good Morning. It's Monday 27th September, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Spirited display ends in defeat
Leeds produced their best display of the season, reminiscent of scenes of six months ago; unfortunately, it was not enough, and their brave effort ended in the worse possible way. For a side depleted with injury, the hosts were well marshalled. Their free flowing football, quick counters and ability to close the visitors down as soon as they were on the ball showed the capacity Elland Road crowd that hopefully their slump has finally come to an end.
Leeds took the lead on 20 minutes. Rodrigo's cut back from deep on the right wing found Dallas. The Northern Ireland International unselfishly tee'd up Raphinha on the edge of the 'D'. His first time effort, drilled low and hard, beat Fabianski at his par post. It was no more than Leeds deserved. Moments earlier, an almost identical attack involving Rodrigo and Firpo set Dallas up on the edge of the area, but his spectacular effort was matched by a fingertip save.
It wasn't all one way traffic, and Leeds rode their luck, but Meslier was a match to anything the Hammers could muster, until two thirds of the way through the match. David Moyes' men drew level on 67 minutes when Jarrod Bowen's speculative effort took the cruellest of double deflections and nestled in the back of the net. On the balance of play, a draw would have been a fair result, but when you're languishing near the foot of the table fairness goes out the window.
Michail Antonio silenced the Elland Road faithful with a 90th minute winner after carving through the middle of the Leeds defence. This was especially cruel as the striker was lucky to still be on the pitch having flattened Meslier midway though the second half!
All in all, a much better performance, and if f Leeds play like they did on Saturday, they'll climb their way out of trouble - agree?
Bielsa post match comments
Is it time to get rid of the dead wood?
Leeds fans can be very unforgiving, especially when things are not going well. Once the finger of blame has been pointed, it's very difficult to escape its wrath. Tyler Roberts and Liam Cooper are two players who have received more than their fair share of criticism lately from the Leeds Utd faithful, but are the comments justified? Whilst we have seen Pascal Struijk break through into the first team squad, the gaffer prefers to stick with experience, but with the emergence of players such as Charlie Cresswell and Joe Gelhardt, are the old guard in danger of being replaced?
We know that Bielsa has his favourites, with both Cooper and Roberts falling into that category, will the gaffer give the first team a good shake up? It's not normally his way! We only tend to see changes in the line-up when injuries or suspensions occur! How long will it be before the Leeds crowd get on Bielsa's back?
Injury heartache for Forshaw
Adam Forshaw's injury nightmare continuous, after it was disclosed the 29yo has once again been sidelined. He joins an increasing number of players on the treatment table as the medical team at Thorp Arch are inundated with casualties. The news was greeted with moans and groans on social media, but hopefully the midfielders latest setback will only keep him sidelined for a month. According to Bielsa...
He has a tear in the posterior part of his thigh. With a muscular injury they usually consume a month's time. Forshaw makes enormous efforts not to injure himself but after two years out it is difficult to get back into the swing of things.