Dynamite kid Joe breathes new life into Bielsa’s boys
TEENAGER Joe Gelhardt came off the bench to help give Marcelo Bielsa’s side the kiss of life – days after Wolves players got CPR training.
In football terms Leeds were lifeless, trailing to an early goal from Hwang Hee-chan and being harangued by their fans
They looked for salvation in the shape of England’s Kalvin Phillips, on the bench as Bielsa aimed to ease his injured talisman back into the fray.
But to the fans’ dismay the midfielder was left there as the Argentinian looked to Gelhardt, 19, plucked with little experience from Wigan.
Surely even the experienced Bielsa couldn’t have believed the impact this pint-sized striker was going to make?
Gelhardt twice went agonisingly close before, four minutes into six minutes of added time, another run into the area was halted illegally by Nelson Semedo and referee Rob Jones pointed to the spot.
Rodrigo stepped up and sent keeper Jose Sa the wrong way for a more than welcome point.
All the talk last night in West Yorkshire was of the exciting Scouser Gelhardt.
Bielsa said: “In the last 15 minutes he was causing danger constantly. He got a penalty and could have scored two goals. He and Rodrigo created enough chances to have won the game.”
Gelhardt added: “It was crazy. I sort of went dumb when I heard all the noise. I would love to play more Premier League games here. You learn so much from the manager.”
Until Gelhardt came on it was all about Wolves having a new Bull in town. A fourth goal in six games for Hwang since joining on loan from RB Leipzig has made him a Molinuex favourite.
Even more so that his name in
South Korean translates to bull – triggering memories of Wolves legend Steve Bull.
The 10th-minute goal was a nightmare for Leeds winger Jack Harrison who was taken to the cleaners by Semedo who cut in and set up Raul Jimenez.
The Mexican scuffed his shot but it rebounded to Hwang, who calmly stroked home.
Leeds looked fragile every time they were placed under pressure. At half-time Bielsa hooked Harrison and ended the experiment of playing Daniel James through the middle.
But he suffered a blow when Raphina went off injured.
As Wolves looked to run the clock down it was the latest kid on the Leeds block, Gelhardt, who offered the home side a lifeline which eventually slowed Wolves’ surge up the table.
Boss Bruno Lage insisted: “I think we were under control in the game. I think the penalty was very soft. I haven’t seen it on TV but I thought it was soft but this is football and I don’t want to really discuss it.
“Hwang did well and I am very happy with him.”
Meanwhile, Leeds could be in trouble with what appeared to be a lighter thrown towards Jimenez from the crowd.