Leeds United had to ride their luck as they stayed second in the Championship table with a 1-0 win away at Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Leeds United’s 1-0 win at Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon could be seen as a good omen in West Yorkshire.
Because the last time Leeds triumphed at Bramall Lane, all the way back in 1992, they went on to win the First Division. And with Marcelo Bielsa’s side now second in the Championship table, just a point behind Norwich City, the 2018/19 season looks set up to end in similarly vociferous celebrations.
But Leeds certainly had to ride their luck in the Steel City. It was a horror mistake from Sheffield United goalkeeper Dean Henderson which handed Pablo Hernandez an 82nd minute winner, while the hosts themselves produced a number of presentable opportunities.
And, in quotes reported by Leeds Live, Bielsa has admitted that three Sheffield United players in particular caused problems for his side.
“What I can say is we played against a serious opponent. It was hard for us to find a solution to the project of play of Sheffield United,” the Argentine said.
“The play now through the number 16 (Ollie Norwood), the movement, dropping back of number 17 (David McGoldrick, below) and the contribution in offensive play of number six (Chris Basham) were problems that took us time to solve, not because we didn’t know these kind of features of the team, but because our plans did not work regarding these three players.”
Norwood, McGoldrick and Basham have been three of Sheffield United’s standout performers in another fine start to the season for Chris Wilder’s side.
But it is a credit to both the quality and the character of this Leeds team that they were able to overcome their early problems and become the first team to beat Sheffield United at Bramall Lane since the opening day.
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