Picking up Harrison a good call by Bielsa
MARCELO BIELSA admitted he owes Pep Guardiola a thank you call after escaping from Millwall with a point.
Leeds’ unbeaten start to the Championship season was in peril as Jed Wallace’s effort separated the sides as the minutes ticked away.
But after a spot of finger pointing between the managers lent a bit of spice to the closing stages and Manchester City loanee Jack Harrison popped up with a leveller, arrowing home a low drive from the edge of the box to spare Bielsa’s blushes.
Asked whether he would be calling Guardiola, Bielsa said: “Of course. He knows that I’m thankful. And I didn’t need Harrison to score to be thankful for that.”
Even after the equaliser there was time for Millwall to hit the post and have a penalty claim waved away.
Bielsa added: “In the first 90 minutes we could have won the game. In those last five minutes we could have lost it. We lacked stability and have to improve.”
After an even first half, the Lions got their noses in front in the 55th minute. A looping throw from debutant Ryan Leonard was flicked on by Jake Cooper and Wallace arrived on the scene to steer a shot into the far corner.
Leeds appeared to be running out of steam until Harrison’s intervention.
Then Lions substitute Tom Elliot saw a towering header come back off the woodwork and tumbled in the box but there was to be no dramatic winner for the home side.
“It was a game of few chances but we matched Leeds,” said frustrated Millwall boss Neil Harris.
“They’re a top side but we should have won at the end.
“It’s a performance I knew was coming. There was a real focus. I’m disappointed for my players that they didn’t get the win they deserved.”
The touchline needle began with Bielsa gesticulating at the Millwall bench and almost boiled over when Samuel Saiz sprinted over to celebrate Harrison’s strike with the Leeds staff.
“I am responsible for this situation,” said Bielsa.
“Sometimes in football you behave in a way you regret. I’m too experienced to behave like this. I apologise.”