PAT THE PREMIER IN-FORM STRIKER
Leeds ace Bamford shows he IS top-class with his third of
SO much for Patrick Bamford not being able to score in the Premier League.
The Leeds striker was questioned before the season started because he had only netted once in his previous 27 top-flight appearances.
No one doubts Bamford any more after he headed an 88thminute winner to make it three in his first three Premier League games for Leeds. Bamford fully deserved his goal for his lung-bursting work rate, and he half- blocked keeper Aaron Ramsdale’s clearance in the first seconds in an example of his non-stop pressing.
Boss Marcelo Bielsa loves him for the way he leads Leeds’ line as their No.9 and finally he is taking his place as the club’s new goalscoring hero.
The Leeds contingent inside Bramall
Lane erupted when Bamford scored to settle this tight Yorkshire derby, and even the reserved Bielsa shook his fists in delight, as he sat perched on his upturned tub. By contrast, Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder was gutted and this sixth straight league defeat leaves his side bottom of the Premier League with no points and no goals.
Goals have always been the Blades’ biggest issue and Wilder’s men have failed to score in their opening three league games for the first time in the club’s history.
Leeds keeper Illan Meslier (with Luke Ayling, left) was the main reason why they drew another blank, and he made a series of fine saves, including an outstanding one from John Lundstram.
The Blades spurned other chances, most glaringly by Jack Robinson late on, and it will not help Wilder’s mood that Callum Robinson, whom he sold to West Brom in part exchange for Oli Burke, has already scored twice.
Wilder was forced into a defensive reshuffle because of Jack O’Connell’s knee surgery and John Egan’s suspension.
Bielsa also made changes and went with three at the back to
match the Blades, pushing Stuart Dallas into midfield, where he was very influential.
Leeds set the tone early and Ramsdale saved from Ayling and Dallas, while Bamford twice headed just over.
Meslier was just as resolute and he made a fantastic save, diving to his right to extend his telescopic arm – like Inspector Gadget – to push away Lundstram’s shot. As fine as Meslier’s save undoubtedly was, Lundstram should have buried such an inviting chance.
Wilder felt George Baldock should also have taken his own chance, which was again saved by Meslier.
Ramsdale was resolute for the Blades and, when Dallas did beat him by taking the ball around him, Chris Basham was there to bail out his keeper, as he c l e a red the Northern Ireland international’s effort off the line. The Blades should have scored late on, but substitute Oli McBurnie somehow missed Ben Osborn’s inviting corner, and Robinson bundled the ball wide from close range.
That miss became even more costly when Leeds snatched a dramatic victory two minutes from time.
Jack Harrison sent over a delicious curling cross from the left, and Bamford (right) pulled away from Robinson to rise and head it cleverly downwards into the far corner, giving keeper Ramsdale no chance.