Hernan’s the man
MARCELO BIELSA made a bee-line for Kiko Casilla on the final whistle to thank the goalkeeper for a crucial last-ditch save.
The second-placed Whites made it consecutive wins for the first time in almost three months thanks to Pablo Hernandez’s 57th-minute finish.
Bielsa’s side are now five points clear of promotion rivals Fulham but they were grateful to Casilla for preserving their lead when he denied Reading skipper Liam Moore.
The big call for Leeds’ boss was sticking with Casilla after the Spaniard had faced an FA hearing in the lead-up to the game over a charge that he racially abused Jonathan Leko when Leeds visited Charlton in September. Casilla’s form has suffered in recent months, during which time he has made a string of mistakes.
But Bielsa said: “Yes, I went over to Kiko because he had a very important impact on the result. Sometimes we have been better than the opponent and he has conceded some goals but here was the opposite and he saved to secure the result.”
Reading have developed something of a reputation for upsetting promotion-chasers on their travels this season, including wins at Preston and Fulham, as well as last week’s impressive 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.
Leeds struggled to stamp any authority early on and Casilla was forced turn aside a 24th-minute effort from striker George Puscas.
There was then a blow for the hosts when key midfielder Kalvin Phillips trudged off after 37 minutes.
Moore made a vital block to deny Helder Costa before rightback Luke Ayling drove inches over and Ezgjan Alioski was foiled by keeper Rafael Cabral.
Mateusz Klich was just wide for Leeds at the start of the second half but Hernandez would not be denied. The playmaker saw a shot blocked but forced his way through to cleverly lift the ball into the net.
Cabral also had to push away Hernandez’s free-kick nine minutes from time.
Reading boss Mark Bowen was unhappy with referee Jarred Gillett. He said: “With five minutes to go we should have had free-kicks and all the referee did was play on.’’
But he added: “Leeds seemed to be like a well-oiled machine.’’