Leeds entered the top half of the Premier League table with a 2-1 victory over Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.
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The home team took the lead with just 12 minutes on the clock when Raphinha chopped up the blade’s backline with a sharp run, before it unselfishly picked out Jack Harrison on the back post who made no mistake when he knocked home.
12 ‘GGGGGGOOOAAALLLL !!! HARRISON !!! 1-0 pic.twitter.com/7fLIoVOBa9
– Leeds United (@LUFC) April 3, 2021
Leeds dominated the majority of the first half but at half-time Sheffield United struck an unlikely equalizer. Kalvin Phillips initially did well to block Oli McBurnie’s goal effort, but the ball deflected to the legs of Osborn’s feet which restored parity for his side from close range.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men restored their lead early in the second half as Phil Jagielka desperately tried to block Harrison’s teasing cross just to divert the ball into his own net.
Sheffield United gave it their all in an attempt to take a point but they did not really look to threaten Meslier’s goal again when Leeds noted the back-to-back league wins for the second time in the calendar year.
These are the highlights of the match out of the way, now to all the important players from Leeds and Sheffield United …
Illan Meslier started in goal for Leeds | Justin Setterfield / Getty Images
Illan Meslier (GK) – 6/10 – Absolutely nothing he could do with Blade’s equalizer. Showed good handling but really did not get much to do.
Luke Ayling (RB) – 7/10 – Must have produced at least three or four fantastic final challenges to limit the Sheffield United attacks. His usual energy ball in the future.
Diego Llorente (CB) – 7/10 – The kind of no-nonsense screen you don’t see too often in the Premier League anymore. Took no prisoners when he went to the ground and was happy to step into the vast areas to cover his backs.
Liam Cooper (CB) – 7/10 – The task of keeping McBurnie quiet and he was kept on his toes all afternoon. Looked to enjoy the physical challenge Scotsman offered and won his fair share of flying duels.
Ezgjan Alisoki (LB) – 6/10 – Offers width on Leeds left and continued to flood forward in an attempt to help the attack. Some lazy distribution but still a decent performance.
Kalvin Phillips was back in the Leeds team after his international achievements in recent weeks Stu Forster / Getty Images
Calvin Phillips (DM) – 7/10 – Controlled the game from a deep lying midfield position, regained possession for his side on a number of occasions and helped launch attacks.
Stuart Dallas (CM) – 6/10 – The quietest in Leeds’ midfield. Didn’t do anything wrong but never seemed to really have an impact on the game.
Tyler Roberts (CM) – 8/10 – A very good all-round screen. Pressed further up the field when Leeds were in possession and looked dangerous on the ball, while he did not neglect his defensive duties when the away team moved forward.
Patrick Bamford led the home team | Naomi Baker / Getty Images
Raphinha (RW) – 7/10 – Superb run to cut through Blade’s defense and put it on a plate for Harrison to open points. Caught in possession a couple of times on his own half that offered pressure, but going forward he looked excellent.
Patrick Bamford (ST) – 6/10 – Made a lot of selfless leaps of the ball to open up space for his frontline partners to weave their magic. Fought to influence the game whenever he had the ball at his feet and looked unhappy to be pulled back.
Jack Harrison (LM) – 8/10 – Got his seventh Premier League goal of the season to put Leeds ahead. Was a threat all afternoon and could easily have gotten a hat-trick if it were not for a good goalkeeper.
? A first change for # LUFC when Rodrigo replaces Bamford. 2-1 pic.twitter.com/Ry3eXKXgKh
– Leeds United (@LUFC) April 3, 2021
Rodrigo (ST) – 6/10
Mateusz Klich (CM) – Not applicable
Robin Koch (CM) – Not applicable
Aaron Ramsdale makes a fantastic save to deny Jack Harrison | Pool / Getty Images
Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 8/10 – Did brilliantly to spread and prevent Harrison from doubling his speech for the afternoon before taking an even better save against Patrick Bamford. Leeds could have scored four or five points if it were not for him.
George Baldock (CB) – 6/10 – Picked up a knock early in the game and tried to continue but was finally pulled just before half time.
Enda Stevens (CB) – 5/10 – Struggled to cope with Bamford’s runs and sometimes found himself chasing shadows.
Phil Jagielka (CB) – 6/10 – Really can not be blamed for putting through his own net because Raphinha was waiting behind him to knock home if he let the cross go further.
Jayden Bogle Challenges Ezgjan Alioski | Laurence Griffiths / Getty Images
Jayden Bogle (RWB) – 5/10 – Tried to pull his team up on the pitch but it turned out to be a high order and he ended up just too often out of position.
John Lundstram (CM) – 4/10 – Sloppy in possession all afternoon and it was something that the home team soon put on when they looked to press him when he had the ball at his feet.
Oliver Norwood (CM) – 5/10 – Nice and tidy but just showed no urgency with Sheffield United who wanted to chase the game in the second half. Pulled back with 25 minutes to play.
John Fleck (CM) – 6/10 – The most advanced of Blade’s midfield three. Showed a desire to connect games with the front line but when he was in the last third there was very little quality.
Ben Osborn (LWB) – 5/10 – Could not contain Raphinha at all and found himself stumbling over his own feet like a Sunday League player fresh from a kebab and a two hour nap.
David McGoldrick sprints from Kalvin Phillips | Pool / Getty Images
Oli McBurnie (ST) – 6/10 – The incomprehensible task of leading the line himself was enough, but he did a decent job with it. Tossed around and showed some good details.
David McGoldrick (ST) – 5/10 – Looked to fall into space and cause problems but was often crowded by Leeds backline.
45 ‘First leaf change.
George Baldock is injured and is replaced by Ethan Ampadu.
⚪️ #LUFC 1-0 #SUFC? pic.twitter.com/kBgJrvmzQd
– Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) April 3, 2021
Ethan Ampadu (CB) – 7/10 – Introduced during the first half and produced a number of timely challenges to prevent Leeds from expanding its lead.
Oliver Burke (RW) – 6/10
Rhian Brewster (ST) – 5/10
John Egan (CB) – 6/10
