Sam’s the man
SZMODICS STRIKE DENTS FARKE’S TOP-TWO BID
SAMMIE SZMODICS’ dramatic late winner had Blackburn fans taunting Elland Road with vicious chants of “Leeds are falling apart”.
Hitman Szmodics bagged his 30th goal of the season in the 82nd minute to boost Rovers’ battle against the drop.
But this was a disaster for Daniel Farke’s Whites who have now won just one of their last five games as they crashed to their first home defeat of the campaign.
Leeds supporters were left bitterly frustrated by their team’s lack of cutting edge, the visitors’ time-wasting and ultimately the deadly finishing of Szmodics.
Alan Shearer was the last player to hit 30 goals in a season for Rovers in 1995-96 and boss John Eustace paid tribute to his talisman.
Eustace – whose struggling side had been stuffed 5-0 at Bristol City in midweek – celebrated just his second win since taking charge in February.
He said: “No one else has really stepped up and without
Sammie’s goals this season then we really would have been in trouble.
“He’s a fantastic player but it’s been a group effort to create those chances for him and I was very proud of the whole team today.
“To come back from a defeat on Wednesday in the style that we did was very pleasing. Obviously without the ball we had a game plan and it was a fantastic bit of play for the goal. I’m delighted with the efforts of the group.”
The contrast in emotion with Leeds counterpart Farke could not have been greater. The German is seeing his side lose form at just the wrong time as their top-two hopes suffered another massive blow.
As Sunderland did in midweek when drawing 0-0 at Elland Road, Blackburn defended superbly and restricted Leeds to half-chances.
Aynsley Pears saved from Crysencio
Summerville and
Willy Gnonto in the first half before home frustrations grew as the match wore on.
Szmodics, who forced Illan Meslier into a decent save with an effort on the counterattack in the first half, was a lingering threat.
As Leeds struggled to penetrate, Rovers pilfered the points eight minutes from time when Tyrhys Dolan’s delightful pass put Szmodics through.
He hit a first-time right-foot shot past Meslier and Farke groaned: “Szmodics had the quality that we did not show today – he needed one chance to score.
“How challenging is this period? Leeds United is an emotional club with great history. But the shirt can be heavy because of the expectation, especially for young players.
“I do not want to take all the pressure away – they are leading a privileged life with lots of money and in the spotlight.”
LEEDS: Meslier 6; Roberts 6 (Byram (67) 6), Rodon 6, Ampadu 6, Firpo 6 (Anthony (89) 5); Gray 6, Gruev 6 (James (68) 7); Gnonto 7 (Joseph (80) 6), Rutter 6 (Bamford (68) 6), Summerville 6; Piroe 6
BLACKBURN: Pears 7; Carter 6, Wharton 6 (McFadzean (46)
7), Hyam 7, Pickering 6; Tronstad 6, Rankin-Costello 7; Brittain 6, Szmodics 8 (Telalovic (90) 5), Dolan 6 (Chrisene (84) 6); Gallagher 6
STAR MAN: Sammie Szmodics – Worked hard and produced late touch of class.
James Bell 6