GO BACK, JACK, DO IT AGAIN
Harrison scores and
THIS was another four-midable display from Marcelo Bielsa’s exciting troupe of entertainers who have taken the Premier League by storm.
Forget them if you fill in the betting coupons every week because they have not drawn a single game on their travels.
It is nine wins and nine defeats – there is no safety net with this bunch of buccaneers as Burnley discovered.
And the truly outstanding display came from Manchester City loanee Jack Harrison, who scored one and made two for substitute Rodrigo.
The Clarets’ meltdown set an unwanted club record of nine consecutive home league games without a victory in top-flight football.
Not a happy place for Sean side, but ecstasy for Leeds boss Bielsa as his players went on the rampage with a four-goal show.
It was a slow burner and his side could have expected a half-time Bielsa blast after wasting opportunities before Mateusz Klich struck just before the interval.
“It was a great offensive performance in the second half,” said Bielsa.
“The players are at a very high level. In the second half, we were more efficient.”
Pascal Struijk had been the biggest offender, sending a free header from a Kalvin Phillips ball wide, with keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell rooted to his line.
That led to a dug-out seat receiving a kicking from the frustrated Leeds coach.
But there would have been a Burnley inquest about how Klich was able to advance towards the edge of the area from the centre circle without a single challenge.
And Dyche’s side paid the price with the Poland internaDyche’s tional curling a wonderful strike into the corner of the net.
Matej Vydra squandered a one-on-one with Illan Meslier, the Leeds keeper sticking out a leg to divert the effort around the post.
That proved costly as well for Burnley with the visitors visibly growing in stature.
Rodrigo finally looked like the club’s record buy and helped himself to two goals after replacing a disappointing Patrick Bamford.
But it was an instinctive goal from that all-action man Harrison which set the skids under the home side. A low
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It was a great offensive performance in the second half and we were more efficient. The players are at a very high level.
drive from Ezgjan Alioksi appeared to be hurtling wide until the England Under-21 star took over, glancing it into the net with the back of his heel.
Burnley were now spluttering in the Leeds slipstream and further damage was to follow as the famed central defensive partnership of Ben Mee and James Tarkowski faltered under the swift and deadly counterattacks.
Harrison, inevitably, was the provider with a lacerating through ball for Rodrigo to move into the area and confidently chip over the exposed Peacock-Farrell to make it 3-0.
And the Spaniard was not done, finishing off a brilliantly executed passing move involving Phillips and the electric Harrison. Bielsa added: “It has taken him time to find his real form.
“But he can be a formidable player and plays for the Spanish side who are a powerhouse.”
Not only should Leeds make sure they secure a new contract for their manager, they will be aiming to make Harrison’s loan move to Elland Road permanent.
For Burnley boss Dyche, it has been a tough season, but they can at least look forward to a sixth consecutive campaign in the Premier League.
He said: “They were more clinical. We didn’t have the cutting edge that we needed.
“It’s hard to ask any more of my players.
“We had an emotional game against Fulham on Monday and it was a big result. I was expecting us to slide off more than we did really, but physically we were still at it.
“They have had a great season and are on a good run of form.
“We have got 39 points and have earned the right to be in the Premier League again next season.
“We need to build on that for the future.”
For Leeds, it’s almost certainly going to be a top-10 finish.
They may not be the pools punters pals, but pretty well everyone else likes them.