Bielsa’s buoyant after Leeds demolish Spurs
Marcelo Bielsa hailed Leeds’ display in their victory against Tottenham at Elland Road as one of their best of the season.
Stuart Dallas gave Leeds an early lead and, although Son Heung-min equalised, Patrick Bamford restored the home side’s advantage before half-time and substitute Rodrigo slammed home a late third.
It was another impressive performance by Bielsa’s side against one of the top-flight’s “big six” as Tottenham’s Champions League hopes were dealt a major blow.
“Considering the fortitude of the opponent and the way we attacked and defended, and the possibilities of playing on even terms, it’s one of the best of the season,” Bielsa said.
Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made a string of crucial saves, including efforts to deny Bamford and Mateusz Klich, but the visitors were not without chances.
Harry Kane had a first-half effort ruled out by a marginal VAR offside decision and after the break struck the crossbar with a free-kick, while Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier kept out Serge Aurier’s thumping near-post shot.
“We could have scored more goals, but we could have conceded more as well,” Bielsa said. “I think the difference of two goals is adequate. To have won by more goals, it would not have corresponded, even if it was possible.
“To have won by only one goal, I also don’t think it would have been fair, but I think they could have closed the distance too.”
Tottenham had a huge incentive to secure a third straight league win under interim boss Ryan Mason, but were criticised for failing to match Leeds’ desire.
“The comparison you made is not the exact one I would make between the two teams,”
Bielsa added. “I don’t think they played without enthusiasm. On our part, I link it to the spirit of the players.”
It was soon evident Leeds’ energy levels, dimmed at Brighton, had been restored and they created two clear early openings.
Bamford’s low shot was turned away by Lloris and Pascal Struijk hooked over the crossbar following a corner soon after.
Leeds were rewarded for taking the game to their opponents in the 13th minute. Lloris saved brilliantly after Jack Harrison’s low cross had deflected off Sergio Reguilon and Dallas lashed the rebound into the roof of the net.
Tottenham hit back to equalise with their first shot on target in the 25th minute. Dele Alli’s clever through-ball carved Leeds open and Son raced clear to side-foot home.
Harrison’s drive forced Lloris into another save, before Kane thought he had given the visitors the lead. The England striker combined brilliantly with Alli and Son, but his cool, dinked finish was ruled out after the VAR confirmed he had been marginally offside.
Robin Koch’s header was deflected wide and then Leeds regained the lead just before half-time through Bamford’s 15th Premier League goal of the season.
Ezgjan Alioski charged into the box on the overlap and his cut-back was steered home by the Leeds striker from close range.
In the second half, Kane had another effort ruled out and then fired off target, before Son crashed a shot into the side-netting.
Alioski’s excellent run and cross just evaded Bamford and Mateusz Klich was denied by Lloris, while Illan Meslier produced a superb save to keep out Serge Aurier’s near-post drive.
Kane’s free-kick then clipped the top of the crossbar, but back stormed Leeds as Toby Alderweireld’s brilliant last-ditch block thwarted Klich.
Bamford and Klich then combined well to force another opening, but Harrison fluffed his chance and Klich curled a shot just over.
Leeds then made sure of all three points with six minutes remaining when Raphinha’s cross was met by a thumping finish from fellow substitute Rodrigo.
Mason’s disappointment was evident when asked if defeat had dashed his side’s chances of a top-four finish.
“I don’t know,” he said. “Look, today is a disappointing result for us. We wanted to come here and win the game.
“That’s very disappointing. We have to get over this and we have to work well this week and hopefully get three points next weekend.”
Kane’s disallowed effort came in the first half with the score at 1-1 and Mason felt the England striker had been onside.
“Of course (it could have changed the game),” he said. “Goals change games.
“I’ll be honest, when I saw it on the touchline I thought it was onside. The first time I watched it I thought it was onside and I’ve watched it three or four times since and my opinion hasn’t changed on that.”
When asked if his players had shown enough intensity, Mason added: “Yes I did. The players showed they wanted to win.”