Leeds bid farewell to Lorimer by seeing off Blades inyorkshire derby
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Harrison (12), Jagielka (49) og
SHEFFIELD UNITED 1 Osborn (45+2)
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa was delighted his side delivered a Yorkshire derby win on the day the club remembered their record goalscorer Peter Lorimer.
Bielsa’s side climbed back into the Premier League’s top 10 after Jack Harrison’s opener and Phil Jagielka’s own goal secured them victory against Sheffield United, who had equalised through Ben Osborn. Lorimer, who scored a record 238 goals for Leeds in 705 appearances, died last month aged 74 following a long-term illness and the club paid tribute via a minute’s applause before kick-off.
Leeds fans Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight, who were killed in Turkey before a Uefa Cup tie against Galatasaray in April 2000, were also remembered. “Victories always generate happiness and optimism,” Bielsa said. “When we lose someone it always generates sadness and memories.
“It’s very difficult for happiness or victory to compensate for the loss of someone, (but) it’s better to have one to say goodbye to such an extraordinary player.”
Leeds passed the 40-point mark by registering their 13th win in their first season back in the top flight.
But despite dominating for long periods, Leeds missed plenty of chances and were pushed all the way by their rock-bottom rivals.
“We won only by one goal,” Bielsa said. “When the opponent sees there’s only a one-goal difference they insist on arriving at the opponent’s goal.
“We had a sufficient amount of chances to have scored more goals. Many dangerous situations that didn’t end in shots that would have increased the options we would have had to score more goals.”
Kalvin Phillips and Stuart Dallas both forced Aaron Ramsdale into full-stretch saves as Leeds went straight on to the offensive. But the
stopper was helpless when Raphinha’s ball in across the face of goal to the far post picked out Harrison, who tapped Leeds into a deserved 12th-minute lead.
And when it seemed Leeds would have to settle for a 1-0 lead at the interval, the visitors struck in first-half stoppage time.
Raphinha carelessly gave the ball away in midfield and although Oliver Mcburnie’s shot was charged down, the ball fell to Osborn and his effort had clearly crossed the goal-line when it was blocked by Luke Ayling.
Leeds were soon back in front, regaining the lead four minutes after the restart. Roberts’ ball found Harrison and his low cross aimed for Raphinha at the back post was diverted past Ramsdale by the sliding Jagielka.
Dallas’ shot soon after clipped the crossbar.
Blades sub Rhian Brewster crashed a 25-yard effort just wide and fellow replacement Oliver Burke’s low effort was just off target.
Blades caretaker boss Paul Heckingbottom said: “It’s been a tough year for everyone, but we can either sit back and moan about that or start looking forward.
“There were moments today that were very good, but we didn’t capitalise on enough opportunities.
“Those little moments were the difference today.”
LEEDS UTD:
Meslier 6; Ayling 7, Cooper 7, Llorente 6, Alioski 6; Phillips 7, Raphina 8, Dallas 7 (Koch 90), Roberts 6 (Klich 81, 6), Harrison 7, Bamford 6 (Rodrigo 65, 6). Unused subs – Poveda, Casilla, Helder Costa, Hernandez, Struijk, Shackleton.
SHEFF UTD:
Ramsdale 6; Bogle 6 (Brewster 73, 5), Jagielka 5, Stevens 6; Baldock 6 (Ampadu 45, 6), Lundstram 6, Norwood 6 (Burke 65, 6), Fleck 6, Osborn 7; Mcgoldrick 6, Mcburnie 7 (Egan 77, 6). Unused subs – Mousset, Lowe, Foderingham, Bryan, Ndiaye.