Bamford’s return proves decisive for five-star Leeds

PATRICK Bamford’s first league goal for Leeds sent Marcelo Bielsa’s team to the top of the Championship — temporarily at least.

Substitute Bamford’s low shot on 66 minutes made it five straight wins for Leeds while Bolton remain winless since September.

It was Bamford’s first game back after the September knee injury which disrupted his progress after a £7million summer switch from Middlesbrough, though he scored a midweek U23s’ hat-trick.

Bielsa said: ‘It’s very good for his confidence and he worked very hard to get his fitness back.

‘It was a deserved win but a hard win. We had the possession but didn’t create enough chances.’

Leeds certainly started better with Ben Alnwick forced to tip over Pablo Hernandez’s header inside five minutes.

But while Leeds continued to dominate possession Alnwick was largely untroubled in the first half.

Bolton’s best opportunities came from Craig Noone set-pieces or when winning the ball high.

Leeds began causing their own problems in the second half. First Bailey Peacock-Farrell dawdling with the ball in his area before Hernandez gifted the ball to Noone, but recovered before the Bolton man could strike.

Bielsa summoned Bamford from the bench and within five minutes he provided the winner.

Hernandez’s clever pass found the striker in space and he drilled a shot past Alnwick to the delight of the 4,577 travelling supporters.

Bolton claimed a late penalty after Noone tangled with Kalvin Phillips, but referee Robert Jones waved play on. Jack Hobbs then saw his header from Josh Vela’s corner cleared by Jack Clarke.

Bolton manager Phil Parkinson said: ‘The referee hasn’t given another stonewall penalty.

‘Leeds are a good side and we restricted them to very few chances. We just lacked the quality to go and hurt them.’