Boss challenges his players to keep their heads at top
MARCELO BIELSA challenged Leeds to be more consistent after they returned to the summit and soured Dave Whelan’s Wigan farewell.
They top the Championship for the fourth time this season and Bielsa (right) knows they must win more regularly to hang on to pole position.
The victory was only their fourth in the last 11 league games and boss Bielsa said: “The win was very important because we had just drawn at home. It was important to win the next game to follow the pace we want to follow.
“To be first in the Championship, we have to make a difference between us and the other teams.
“We did that at the beginning of the season, but we stopped doing it so if we want to stay first, we have to win more regularly.”
Leeds ignored the emotion surrounding Whelan’s last game as owner before the Hong Kong-based IEC take over on Wednesday.
Kemar Roofe scored Leeds’ winner, fairly this week, and the only hand evident was the one Wigan keeper Christian Walton gave him by presenting him with an open net. Paul Cook was disappointed his side could not win for Whelan and outgoing chairman David Sharpe.
“It’s a massive disappointment after 23 years and what they have done for Wigan Athletic and the community,” said the Latics boss, who saw his side’s 12-match unbeaten home run ended.
“But over the years they’ve had many highs and plenty of lows. That’s part of football’s journey.”
Whelan’s 23-year tenure was honoured by a minute’s applause on 23 minutes and he waved as he grappled with his emotions on a proud but sad day. Cook’s side added to the tributes by scoring on six minutes when Liam Cooper fouled Joe Garner 25 yards out and Reece James, 18, curled an excellent free-kick over the wall and inside the post. Leeds responded within three minutes through a patient passing move, which sums up their football under Bielsa. Barry Douglas played in Mateusz Klich on the left and he picked out Pablo Hernandez, who steered home from six yards.
Leeds could have had more before they scored the goal their pressure deserved within a minute of the restart to record their first comeback win since Boxing Day. Walton fumbled a simple pick-up from Hernandez’s cross and Roofe walked the ball into an empty net for his seventh goal of the campaign.
Cedric Kipre may have put Walton off, but it was still a howler. Callum McManaman missed a chance to grab a late equaliser, which would have been harsh on Leeds, who hit the post in stoppage time through Hernandez.
Walton 4, James 8, Kipre 5, Burn 6, Robinson 6, Byrne 6, Gibson 5 (Vaughan 85), Morsy 7, Naismith 5 (Lopes 70, 6), Windass 6, Garner 6 (McManaman 64, 5)
Peacock-Farrell 6, Jansson 6, Phillips 8, Cooper 6, Dallas 7, Forshaw 7, Klich 7 (Shackleton 91), Douglas 7, Hernandez 8, Roofe 7, Alioski 7