Bielsa must have done some reflecting after the Norwich City match. This was Leeds back to their old ways – harassing the opposition and charging relentlessly forward. It was a promising return to form complete with gaping holes in the defence.
Rodrigo appears not to be regarded as an out and out striker and was moved in this match in advanced midfield. James was put into striker position – again it reads as Bielsa favouring James in a new position – this time not on the wing.
It was great to see Adam Forshaw starting a match. After a couple of years out with injury it is a relief to finally see him starting a league game – with such a small squad we need every player we have.
It was a breathless first half hour with Leeds fighting for every ball and working the ball up through Raphinha. As much as Leeds created corners and opportunities the keeper Schmeichal was not troubled. In fact Vardy was left as the lone striker for Leicester with many a long ball sent to him. This challenged our defence with Vardy calling a for a penalty early on.
Leicester played very high up to pressure Leeds when they played out from the back which gave Leeds problems.
Raphinha’s goal came from a free kick on the right and went low through all the players with Rodrigo unmarked but ultimately not needing to touch it as it made it in to the far right corner.
The Leicester equaliser followed the manner of the Norwich game where Leeds conceded a one goal lead within a couple of minutes. It was a class goal from the corner of the penalty box that Meslier was not going to stop. But the lack of tight marking that allowed the shot was what Raphinha was questioning when he pointed to his head – not staying focused.
Leeds continued the pressure with a corner almost beating Schmeichal into the near corner of the net. Raphinha was then given free kick duties from the left as well. From the next corner Phillips was blatantly stopped but the referee didn’t agree.
Second half
Awful start to the first half. Echoes of the mistake that led to the Norwich when Meslier gave away a corner. Same happened here and Leicester were unlucky not to score from the corner. Immediate reply from Leeds with the Leicester goal bombarded. Harrison still not firing on all cylinders with a shot in front of goal hit skywards.
The attacks on the Leicester goal were relentless but few shots on target. James managed to aim for the roof of the stand. Rodrigo on and off target.
After all that pressure Leeds failed to defend a corner with a low shot headed back to a Leicester Player by the back post that was not defended. It was cruel but then VAR came to the rescue and judged it to be offside. Leeds were lucky.
The game became messy with a Cooperism on the penalty box that Meslier had to tidy up.
Tyler Roberts, the nearly man, replaced Harrison for the last ten minutes. Cresswell replaced Forshaw as the fourth defender. It was a mad moment in the Leicester penalty box with Raphinha finally having another shot at goal but ending up with more power than focus.
This was a firey match with Leeds moving much more quickly and charging down Leicester with the ball, and winning the ball, and better one touch passes. However, that final pass was still missing. Mistakes in the defence cost Leeds a victory. Again, it has been the Raphinha show.
Man of the match: Raphinha
[…] And now we have to start again with Marsch in charge. Time to move on as we play away against Leicester City. Leeds are the wild card as it is unknown how the players are reacting to the loss of Bielsa and […]