Bielsa’s just 10 points from the promised land

MARCELO BIELSA has relied on one player more than any other to lead LEEDS UNITED’S Premier League promotion chase. Mateusz Klich has started all 87 League matches for the Argentine and an influential display by the Polish midfielder at Ewood Park helped seal a 3-1 victory over BLACKBURN that leaves the Yorkshire club 10 points from a top-flight return after a 16-year absence. On seven minutes, Klich slipped in Patrick Bamford for the opener and eight minutes into the second half the 30-year-old restored the two-goal buffer provided by Kalvin Phillips’ exquisite free-kick, after another cultured set-piece goal by Adam Armstrong. ‘He had a great match, he was the player who balanced the team for us,’ said Bielsa. Lee Johnson paid the price for BRISTOL CITY’S nine-match winless run either side of the shutdown. In February, the Robins were within three points of an automatic promotion place, but their form has collapsed and Johnson was sacked after a 1-0 loss to CARDIFF, their fourth consecutive defeat since the restart. Danny Ward scored an 85thminute winner to all but end City’s play-off hopes and boost Cardiff’s in sixth. ‘After the Covid-19 break we just haven’t blended or gelled,’ said Johnson before being told his fate. Said Benrahma scored a hat-trick as BRENTFORD refused to give up their pursuit of the top two, with a 3-0 win over WIGAN at Griffin Park. It compounded a miserable week for the Latics, who went into administration and face a 12-point deduction that could mean relegation. ‘We will not be lying down and just fading away,’ said Wigan boss Paul Cook in a statement after declining to hold a press conference.

FULHAM also hold out hope of automatic promotion but it took Josh Onomah’s 95th-minute strike to beat BIRMINGHAM.

At the other end, STOKE’S prospects of survival were boosted by a 4-0 thumping of BARNSLEY, who look doomed. Potters boss Michael O’Neill labelled 20-yearold forward Tyrese Campbell (above) — son of former Arsenal and Everton striker Kevin — ‘frightening’ after his brace. Rock-bottom LUTON look set for a quick return to League One after Yakou Meite smashed four past them in READING’S 5-0 win at Kenilworth Road. Meite was then seen eating pizza in the stands after being taken off with 20 minutes to go. Royals boss Mark Bowen said: ‘Yakou came to see me on Friday and put a case forward for playing as a No 9 but I said to him I feel he can find more space in the wide areas and create more chances. After the match he looked at me with a wry smile, so I maybe won that argument! ‘I was a bit surprised he was eating pizza. I’m not sure what topping, but it smelled good.’

HUDDERSFIELD and PRESTON played out a goalless draw that leaves the Terriers teetering above the relegation zone.