Roofe scored the winner as Leeds beat Aston Villa.
Kemar Roofe has urged Marcelo Bielsa to hand Jack Clarke his first start for Leeds United, when talking to the club’s official website, after Leeds earned an excellent 3-2 last-gasp win over Aston Villa.
Villa had taken an early 2-0 lead in the first half thanks to goals from Tammy Abraham and Conor Hourihane. But the introduction of Jack Clarke at half-time saw Leeds turn the game on its head.
Clarke dumbfounded Ahmed El Mohamady to score his first senior goal and Leeds’ first of the match, before Pontus Jansson equalised from a corner. Roofe scored deep into injury time to put Leeds top for Christmas.
Speaking after the match, Roofe told Leeds’ website that he reckons 18-year-old star Clarke should be given his first start after scoring Leeds’ first – but reckons Bielsa has a plan for the teenager.
“Just look at his goal and that tells you everything you need to know about him,” Roofe said. “He’s come on. He’s changing games every time he comes on the pitch. Now, I think he’s got a good chance of coming on and starting 90 minutes.
“I think he will be starting soon. He scored today so it would be a nice reward to give him a start. The gaffer is obviously getting things right and has a plan for him.”
Clarke’s excellent Leeds breakthrough this season has seen him come off the bench eight times in the Championship. He provided an assist for Pablo Hernandez’s goal in the 1-0 win over Sheffield United, before scoring on Sunday.
Leeds next play Blackburn Rovers on Boxing Day at Elland Road and the Whites are sure to be out for revenge, with Tony Mowbray’s side being one of the three teams to have beaten Leeds this season.
Top for Christmas, Leeds will be fully aware that the last 10 leaders at Christmas have all gained promotion. Six wins in a row and now six points above the play-offs, Leeds are favourites to go up.
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