GIVES PRESTON LIFELINE
Worried Bielsa knows Leeds will go nowhere with defensive howlers
Mateusz Klich’s strike ruled out an early Danny Graham opener but United tasted defeat on the road for the first time this season when Darragh Lenihan headed Blackburn’s winner on 70 minutes. Just two wins in eight matches have sabotaged Leeds’ excellent start to the season. And Bielsa admits recent results are a cause of serious concern to him. “Negative results are always a source of worry,” groaned the Argentinian. “It is normal in such a long competition there are ups and downs. “If you link this to recent results, this is a bad moment for us. “We need to find a solution as soon as possible. We needed to win this game but we did not defend as we used to. “We could have avoided the goals they scored but our defensive display was not good enough – and they had other chances.” Bielsa’s game plan was shot to pieces by a bullet header from Graham in the third minute. The 33-year-old, who made a handful did have opportunities to score a few goals.”
Those opportunities were few and far between, though, as Hull pinned them back for most of the game.
Nigel Adkins (right, with Neil) saw his strugglers hit the woodwork three times and forced several saves from Preston keeper Chris Maxwell before scoring through Jarrod Bowen’s 85th-minute penalty.
“We played well and created a lot of chances,” of appearances for Leeds on loan, bagged his fourth goal of the season when he was allowed to turn in Harrison Reed’s corner.
Rovers wasted further chances and were punished when Klich equalised in the final seconds of the first half with a simple tap-in.
But Rovers claimed the victory their fearless display deserved when Lenihan scored for the first time this term with 20 minutes left.
The commanding centre-back towered above the visiting defenders at the back post to head home sub Craig Conway’s corner.
The introduction of Pablo Hernandez minutes later gave Leeds a muchneeded lift.
They mounted a spirited fight-back with Klich denied a second goal on 84 minutes when David Raya acrobatically saved his volley destined for the top corner.
Ewood Park boss Tony Mowbray (below) said: “I am so pleased for the players, the set-pieces were something we worked really hard on.
“The international break was good for us as coaches as we had more time to work on the opposition and it showed on those set-pieces.
“We knew they had two good headers of the ball and we isolated them and that allowed Graham to power through for the first and Lenihan for the second.
“This team gives you everything – and a bit more.” Adkins said. “It was another good performance and we put ourselves in a position to win it.”
Preston failed to build on a promising start and were fortunate to be on level terms at the end.
The penalty was given away by defender Jordan Storey who impeded Chris Martin.
Neil said:”i thought it was a bit soft. But there are no complaints. They got hold of each other, but Chris is an experienced player and goes down.” There looked to be no way back for Preston, but they stunned Hull with an undeserved leveller four minutes into injury time as Moult turned quickly inside the box to fire past David Marshall.