BARKER BITES BIELSA BOYS

United toothless after boss makes NINE changes

Leeds 0 Preston 2

MARCELO BIELSA played a big part in shaping Pep Guardiola’s successful coaching career.

But the Leeds boss was left cursing one of Guardiola’s young guns as his Championship table-toppers crashed out of the EFL Cup.

Having come through Manchester City’s youth ranks, Brandon Barker was sent on loan to Preston in the summer and showed his quality with a stunner at Elland Road

Holding on desperately to a one-goal lead and down to 10 men, the 21-year-old (scoring, above) broke down the left in first-half stoppage time and lashed a fine finish past Jamal Blackman. It was his second goal in the competition and crucial as Alex Neil’s strugglers wrecked Leeds’ unbeaten start to the season in front of a bemused home crowd.

Bielsa had made nine changes to the side that won 3-0 at Norwich on Saturday – and paid a heavy price.

Sluggish and subdued, just 45 seconds had gone when Leeds defender Conor Shaughnessy brought down Louis Moult in the box. Up stepped Daniel Johnson to coolly roll the spot-kick into the corner for the opener – and his first goal since January.

Weakened and woeful, United were a shadow of the side that had started the season so impressively. They did come close to a leveller when Jamie Shackleton met a volleyed cross from Stuart Dallas on the right with a thumping drive that was superbly tipped over onehanded by Chris Maxwell.

The visitors then had Ryan Ledson sent off in the 29th minute for a shocking two-footed lunge on Tyler Roberts.

But the brilliance of Barker and a defiant defence left Leeds and Bielsa well beaten.