ROAR EMOTION

Leeds stars spurred on by the wall of sound at Elland Road... and even Bielsa is ready to burst into song

PENALTY hero Rodrigo praised Leeds’ fanatical backing and straightlaced boss Marcelo Bielsa almost broke into song.

But after the dust had settled on Leeds’ dramatic last-gasp draw, one thing was clear – Elland Road is probably now the Premier League’s most intimidating stadium to visit.

Bielsa’s team spent last season back in the top flight after a 16-year gap, but Covid restrictions saw them behind closed doors.

Now Leeds fans have returned in their tens of thousands and are firmly behind their stars, despite a worrying opening which has now seen them win just five of the 15 points that have been available on home turf so far this season.

But Bielsa had no doubt of the role played by the near40,000 crowd in winning point number five.

Bielsa said: “I received something that was written to me from Chile and it reminded me of a song the fans in that country sing.

“That says that when a team is not playing well the more you have to shout because that makes them win. Today in the moment when the team most needed it, the people had a decisive presence.”

The supporters certainly roared Leeds on as they staged a late comeback to try to cancel out an early opener from Wolves’ in-form South Korean forward Hwang Hee-Chan.

But they also fed off the energy and spark provided by 19-year-old super sub Joe Gelhardt, who came off the bench and won a 93rdminute penalty after his dribble was stopped by Nelson Semedo’s trip.

Rodrigo coolly buried the spot-kick for his first goal of the season and admitted that the Elland Road crowd had played their part.

The Spaniard (running away in celebration, below) said: “That was amazing.

“We push up the field and the fans feel that and push us further. This support was really important to keep going, to maintain the faith.” Leeds will have to make the most of that home advantage if they are to climb away from the Premier League’s drop zone.

Three upcoming home games against Leicester, Crystal Palace and Brentford look the perfect opportunity for Bielsa’s side to put some points on the board, regardless of their current injury problems.

And the Leeds boss was at least pleased that the draw was an improvement on the tame loss at Southampton a week earlier.

He said: “It was a step forward compared to last week. This was a performance a lot more like what the team is capable of.

“And even if we have a series of players not present, the feeling is this group is

sufficient to play the way we want to play.”

Wolves star Conor Coady certainly left Elland Road with a new appreciation of the problems visiting teams will face.

He said: “People say we have come here and defended but honestly I can’t explain how tough it is coming here.

“It’s such a different way of playing that Leeds have, and how they do it.

“We were trying not to get caught up in basketball matches and bodies all over the pitch. But they make it tough with how intense their approach is.”

Leeds appear to have avoided adding to their long-term injury list, despite Brazil forward Raphinha hobbling off.

His game ended after a foul by Romain Saiss, and he was carried done the tunnel.

But Raphinha (right) later put out an update on social media. He wrote: “It was nothing serious. So I’m back soon.”

The Leeds have already been struggling to cope without key players Kalvin Phillips, Patrick Bamford, Robin Koch and Ezgjan Alioski.