BIELSA RAGES AS FREEMAN STUNS LEEDS
ANGRY LEEDS United boss Marcelo Bielsa could not hide his frustration after seeing his side squander their chance to return to the top of the Championship table last night.
Leeds suffered a shock defeat at Loftus Road against Steve McClaren’s out-of-form Queens Park Rangers, who had lost their last seven league games. Only a win would do for Leeds to go above Norwich and Sheffield United, but a fine flick from Luke Freeman condemned them to a surprising loss.
Bielsa snapped at the suggestion his side appeared to run out of steam, saying: ‘Your question does not have any basis — if you watch the game, this team has too much energy. It is clear you don’t know what you’re talking about because it is clear this is something this team does not lack.’
Asked how frustrating he found the defeat, Bielsa said: ‘The answer is included in your question.’
QPR secured their first Championship victory since Boxing Day and McClaren said: ‘ I’m proud of the players.
‘We had to stay calm and patient, keep working, and we did that. We’ve got to take heart from this. Our target from the beginning of the season was 50 points.’
QPR sit on 42 points but it looked like they would suffer another loss as Leeds attacked at will in the first half. Patrick Bamford was consistently involved but couldn’t find a breakthrough.
Leeds were made to regret their missed chances when they conceded the opener in the 49th minute.
Massimo Luongo produced a low cross and a clever flick from Freeman beat Kiko Casilla.
An outstanding double save by QPR’s Joe Lumley somehow denied Leeds a leveller. First he stopped a low shot from substitute Stuart Dallas before blocking Bamford’s follow-up header.
Sportsmail reported before this encounter that Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani would have to consider selling the club if they miss out on promotion to the Premier League — and this was a missed opportunity.