BIELSA GETS ROOFE-LESS
Kemar’s header puts Leeds on top as Ipswich struggle
MAYBE Marcelo Bielsa will give his Leeds players more than a six after they beat Ipswich to go top of the Championship.
Bielsa had marked their recent form six out of 10 as they had won only one of their previous five games.
The demanding Argentinian should be happier after watching his side brush aside Paul Hurst’s toothless Town to return to winning ways.
Despite this victory, Bielsa will know there is room for improvement and Leeds did not play with the intensity that marked their flying start to the campaign until the final quarter.
Leeds’ head coach had called on them to be more ruthless and will probably feel they should have scored more.
They managed two through Kemar Roofe’s first goal since August 21 and a fine strike from captain Liam Cooper.
Pablo Hernandez assisted for both goals and the classy Spaniard stood out on his first start since August 25.
Leeds also benefited from playing an Ipswich side devoid of confidence, who are a defeat waiting to happen.
The Tractor Boys offered little resistance, despite Hurst making seven changes, and remain stuck in the relegation mire at the bottom of the Championship with just a solitary win over Swansea.
For Town fans, it is a case of being careful what you wish for and old boss Mick McCarthy’s reign must look better with every defeat. Bielsa (below) responded to Pontus Jansson’s suspension by moving Kalvin Phillips into a three-man defence and Leeds soon took control. They opened the scoring on 22 minutes from a trademark Bielsa passing move. Samuel Saiz found his countryman Hernandez on the right and he curled in a delicious cross for Roofe to head home his fifth goal of the season from six yards out. Leeds seemed content to play within themselves before increasing the pressure in the second half.
Stuart Dallas, who replaced the injured Gaetano Berardi, had a shot touched behind by recalled keeper Bartosz Bialkowski.
Cooper then doubled their lead on 66 minutes with a finish any striker would have been proud of.
From a short corner, Hernandez pulled the ball back from the byline towards Cooper. Phillips stepped over it and the centre-half finished expertly from just inside the box.
Finally Leeds cut loose and Ezgjan Alioski thumped a shot against the post before Bialkowski denied the Macedonian and Adam Forshaw. LEEDS: