Leeds have Guardiola to thank for their loan star

MARCELO BIELSA admits he owes a thank-you call to Pep Guardiola after escaping from Millwall with a point.

Leeds’ unbeaten start to the Championship season was in real peril at The Den, Jed Wallace’s effort separating the sides as the minutes ticked away.

But after a spot of fingerpointing between the managers lent a bit of spice to the closing stages, 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 to express his gratitude for Harrison’s arrival, 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, and Bielsa conceded that things could have ended very differently for his side.

He said: “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.”

The contrast in styles between the sides was evident throughout – Leeds were neat, tidy and slightly toothless without Kemar Roofe or Patrick Bamford, while Millwall’s best moments came from long balls and long throws.

After an even opening half, the Lions got their noses in front with 55 minutes on the clock.

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 pushed for a leveller, Luke Ayling forcing Luke Amos into a smart reaction stop and Tyler Roberts went close with a header. But the visitors appeared to be running out of steam until Harrison set up a chaotic finale.

Lions sub Tom Elliott saw a towering header come back off the post and tumbled in the box, but there was no dramatic winner for the home side.

“It was a game of few chances but we matched Leeds,” said a frustrated boss Neil Harris.

“They’re a top side, but we should have won the game at the end.

“It’s a performance I knew was coming. There was a real focus today.

“I’m disappointed for my players that they didn’t get the three points. They deserved it.” Both managers were also keen to draw a line under the needle on the touchline, which started with Bielsa gesticulating at the Millwall bench and almost boiled over when Samuel Saiz sprinted across 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 have behaved like this. I apologise.” Harris said: “It’s just football. “We should have given the ball back quicker, and they got excited when they scored. “I spoke to Marcelo and there’s no problem.”