Bielsa urges calm as late winner lifts Leeds back to summit

Marcelo Bielsa can expect to be asked for a few more selfies as he walks into Leeds United’s training ground this week. The eccentric Argentinian walks the 45-minute journey to work and is regularly stopped by fans eager for a snap.

The 2,050 travelling support left the Madejski Stadium singing after Bielsa guided them to a fourth successive win and back to the top of the Championship. “It was difficult for us to create danger in the first half,” Bielsa said. “In the second half, even though it was a tight match, we commanded it.”

Bielsa was the calmest person in the Leeds dugout as Jack Harrison headed in the only goal of the game after 87 minutes. “Today, being first doesn’t matter a lot,” he said. “The most important time is in May.”

The home side were close to going in front in the third minute when Yakou Meite fired in a low cross which agonisingly evaded George Puscas. Meite then had a chance five minutes before the break, but placed his header too close to Kiko Casilla.

Leeds were much improved in the second half. Stuart Dallas struck a superb shot against the bar and went close once more, driving into the side netting. With the final whistle approaching, Helder Costa made headway down the right, crossed via a deflection and Harrison was waiting to head in his fourth goal of the season.

“We’ve got a team that is competitive, but we have to turn solid performances into points,” Mark Bowen, the Reading manager, said. Reading (5-3-2) Barbosa; Gunter, Miazga, Morrison, Moore, Richards; Swift, Rinomhota (Mccleary 90), Ejaria; Meite (Loader 86), Puscas (Boye 70). Subs Walker, Howe, Blackett, Gomes. Booked Richards. Leeds United (3-3-3-1) Casilla; Ayling, White, Cooper; Dallas, Phillips, Klich (Alioski 66); Hernandez, Roberts (Costa 35), Harrison (Shackleton 90); Bamford. Subs Meslier, Douglas, Berardi, Clarke. Booked Ayling. Referee Darren Bond (Lancashire).