LAST-GASP LEVELLER BOOSTS BIELSA
AT the place where Arsene Wenger said his farewells to Arsenal, his successor Unai Emery effectively waved goodbye to Huddersfield’s chances of another season in the big time. There was no sentiment, no misty eyed condolences – this was a clinical demolition of any lingering ambitions the Terriers held in avoiding the dreaded drop.
“We’re going down” sang the home fans in the knowledge that their great adventure is coming to an end.
For Emery the Arsenal journey is only beginning. Except for a big fall-out with Neymar the Spaniard could now have been preparing for a Champions League clash with Manchester United.
Instead for the former Paris Saint-Germain coach, it was off to the John Smith’s Stadium in an attempt to place the Gunners’ season back on track after falling behind in their own pursuit of a Champions League place.
While Huddersfield under their own new boss Jan Siewert provided the entertainment with intricate passing and plenty of goal-mouth action which belied their lowly status, the Gunners supplied the firepower.
The Yorkshire spirit and endeavour which rescued them so dramatically last season was again in evidence – so is the incriminating statistic surrounding their lack of goals. Thanks to a goal in added on time, which gave the scoreline a more realistic look, it’s now just 14 so far.
It’s becoming so grim that they are thinking in these parts of introducing a month of the goal competition.
At times as Huddersfield pressed their foot down on the accelerator with the speedy Adama Diakhaby a constant source of danger, Arsenal lived dangerously and looked like a nervy side who arrived on the back of four defeats on their last five travels.
Their fall from grace from the days of winning the Premier League is illustrated by Thursday’s trip to Bate Borisov in the Europa League – not exactly an ideal Valentine’s Day date.
It’s why, despite his side looking disjointed and lacking real quality, LEEDS teenager Jack Clarke was taken to hospital during the game at Middlesbrough after collapsing in the dug-out during the second half.
The 18-year-old, who was substituted at half-time, collapsed and was attended to by medics who gave him oxygen before being stretchered to an ambulance. Clarke was fully conscious when he arrived at hospital but was kept in last night and will face further tests before being released. Emery’s mission is to somehow chisel out a top four finish. “Our target is to get in to the top four,” he stressed. “This win can give us confidence.
“There is a point difference between Manchester United and us. After game 26 we are on our way. Our motivation is great. We need to be consistent and then our target will come closer.
“This win takes us closer to the others in the top four and now it’s the Europa League on Thursday then in two weeks it’s Southampton at home. These two games are my focus.”
The Gunners took a MARCELO BIELSA felt that Leeds created enough chances to win at Middlesbrough after a late goal from Kalvin Phillips snatched a draw.
Phillips (right) was on hand in the six-yard box to head over the line in the 11th minute of added time after Jack Clarke collapsed in the visitors’ dugout on Teesside.
The game was stopped for seven minutes and led to referee Darren England asking 15th minute lead – the goal owing to a touch of fortune – off Huddersfield defender Terence Kongolo’s foot.
Sead Kolasinac advanced down the left flank and his deep cross was met on the volley by Alex Iwobi, the ball catching Kongolo’s heel and curling past Ben Hamer.
Huddersfield had strong claims for a penalty through a vicious drive from Jason Puncheon which struck Laurent Koscielny’s hand, although the Frenchman will claim with some justification that he was protecting his crown jewels. Rooted to the for 12 extra minutes beyond the 90 when Middlesbrough led through Lewis Wing’s opener soon after halftime.
The point lifted Leeds back to the top of the Championship, with Bielsa saying: “We could have won the game. We deserved to score that goal and we bottom of the table Huddersfield never lost heart with new boss Jan Siewert claiming: “I will fight to the end with my lads to stay in the Premier League. They made me so proud.
“We gave everything for our fans, for everyone at the club. I always tell the players the fight comes first then the luck comes back.”
Arsenal increased their lead just before the break when Alexandre Lacazette tapped in from Iwobi who had broken clear from an intelligent pass from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, back from injury. Huddersfield worryingly for Arsenal carved out chance after chance with Diakhaby twice being denied by Bernd Leno while new-boy Karian Grant had an effort cleared off the line by Nacho Monreal.
They finally broke through in added time, Diakhaby flicking a though ball over Leno only for Kolasinac, under pressure, to slice his attempted clearance into his own net – but it’s too little too late for Town. probably deserved to score more goals.”
Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis was left frustrated by the manner of the result. Pulis said: “It was disappointing because it is late, and when it comes late in the game it is always hard to take. I wish my players had seen it coming. Second half I thought Leeds were the better team, I thought at times they really pressed us.”
Middlesbrough 1 Leeds 1