‘What a touch’: Ferdinand & Hasselbaink admit ‘applauding’ Leeds man’s display last night

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Les Ferdinand and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink lauded Jack Harrison on Amazon Prime Sport on Wednesday night after he helped Leeds record a 5-2 win over Newcastle United.

One moment during the match, Harrison’s first time touch following a cross-field ball and then his assist for Rodrigo’s goal, had both Ferdinand and Hasselbaink standing up and ‘applauding’ at pitchside.

If they thought that was special then the technically-gifted Leeds winger would put the cherry on the cake late on when his thunderous late strike ensured it was a five-star performance from Marcelo Bielsa’s men.

At first, both Ferdinand and Hasselbaink shared their thoughts on the assist Harrison provided for Rodrigo’s goal before the latter spoke in awe about his long-range goal.

“Leeds get the ball, they play it wide,” said Hasselbaink. “And what a touch from Harrison. Then what a cross. Rodrigo is there to head it in.

“We [Hasselbaink and Ferdinand] were standing up.”

Ferdinand added: “Yes, we were applauding that. Then you look at Newcastle. Look at how many people they have in the box. You have got near enough eight players in the box and Rodrigo is still able to get in there. Great skill from Harrison”

Hasselbaink then added about Harrison’s thunderous late strike: “He made it look very easy.

“To run that far, that late in the game and still have the control and to hit it this sweet. You have to hit it perfectly to get it into the top corner and he did. As soon as it comes off his foot, the goalkeeper never had the chance.”

From Newcastle’s perspective, it does seem as though their players were still self-isolating because they couldn’t get near this non-stop relentless machine that is Leeds United.

On one hand, it’s morale-sapping for the North East outfit that they have conceded five against a newly-promoted side.

But Leeds caused the champions of England similar problems on the opening day of the season, so whilst on paper, they have just been promoted, out on that pitch they are performing like a European-chasing outfit.