Bielsa must replace Leeds ever-present with "incredible" game-changing talent after Sheffield United win

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With the festive period among us clubs know the result will be all that matters as games begin to come thick and fast.

December couldn’t have gotten off to a more tantalising start in the Football League as Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United and Leeds United squared off at Bramall Lane.

Both sides went into the lunchtime showdown only separated by two points and knew victory would see them atop of the league before the afternoon kick-offs.

Marcelo Bielsa, the revered Argentine coach, has in a short space of time transformed Leeds – particularly their approach and playing style – whilst his opposite number in the Blades dugout Chris Wilder continues to see his stock rise.

Here are five things we learned from what turned out to be an even tighter affair than expected.

1. A 26-year wait ends

It was always going to take something special for Leeds to leave Bramall Lane with all three points, but even they couldn’t have imagined how their historic victory would come about.

An error from Sheffield United goalkeeper Dean Henderson inside the final 10 minutes gifted possession to Jack Clarke, on as a second-half substitute, who squared his pass to Pablo Hernandez to slot into an empty net.

Since their opening weekend loss to the recently demoted Swansea City, the Blades haven’t allowed any side to leave their home with all the spoils. That was until today.

Of those previous eight clubs, before Leeds showed up,  only three (Birmingham City, Stoke City and Sheffield Wednesday) left with a point whilst Norwich City, Aston Villa, Preston North End, Hull City and Wigan all tasted defeat.

By winning here Leeds registered their first Bramall Lane win since April 1992. A date which lives in memory as it confirmed the Yorkshire club as English champions.

2. Sharp finally Blunts

Leeds weren’t the only ones struggling in front of goal at Bramall Lane before finally breaking the deadlock, albeit fortuitous (but, as the saying goes, fortune favours the brave).

Sheffield United’s feared marksman Billy Sharp, who previously enjoyed a season at Elland Road, failed to add to his 10 goals this campaign. An event made even more noteworthy because of the opposition.

“I seem to do well when I play Leeds,” he said ahead of the weekend showdown. “It is not that I lift my game or anything, I try to play at 110% every game.”

To say the forward has a good record against his former club is an understatement. Heading into the weekend he’d bagged seven goals in seven previous meetings. Sharp has only scored more against Coventry City (8) and Blackpool (10).

On Saturday afternoon, however, the Sharp mustered just one shot – which failed to hit the target – and found himself blunted by Bielsa’s back three.

3. Clarke truly announces himself

As obsessive as he is, there’s something romantic about the way Leeds boss Bielsa views the beautiful game.

Under him there’s a certain way of playing, having the Peacocks lining up in a 3-4-3 formation is his means of achieving that goal, but today they were some way off the pace. That was until the introduction of youngster Jake Clarke at half-time.

Ezgjan Alioski, who has started all 20 Championship games this season, was ineffective yet again; Bielsa’s reaction was to repeat the same substitution from the 1-0 win against Reading.

The addition of the Leeds’ academy graduate was a catalyst. In the opening 45 minutes, the Elland Road-based club were off the pace, failing to create a single chance, that changed in the second 45 with Clarke playing a pivotal role.

His reaction to Henderson’s mistake saw him register the first assist of his senior career; there was a cool head on his 18-year-old shoulders, and Bielsa – renowned for nurturing talent – would most certainly have been pleased with Clarke’s contribution.

The United faithful now want to see the teenager replace the Macedonian from the start.

4. Flapping Peacock-Farrell can still improve

Before their meeting with Bristol City last month Bailey Peacock-Farrell, who came through Leeds’ esteemed academy, was the club’s first choice goalkeeper. He featured across 17 matches in the process keeping six clean sheets and conceding 17 (or an average of one per game).

After being dropped Peacock-Farrell returned in the narrow 1-0 home win over Reading spectacularly saving a last minute penalty from Marc McNulty. His performed earned renewed praise and those backing him would have been even more chuffed today.

Just after the hour mark Peacock-Farrell was called into action. David McGoldrick, who had been one of the Blades better players, beared down on him but the young ‘keeper stood strong to keep his side in the game.

For all the positives there’s still room for improvement. Peacock-Farrell is yet to keep Leeds’ spectators at ease with his goalkeeping; he still tends to flap when coming from crosses, but that can easily be improved with the right training and time.

5. Shirt-pulling is now part of the game

All eyes were on referee Oliver Langford with every decision he made in this hotly-contested Yorkshire derby contested. Unfortunately neither fanbase were prepared to give him full marks as his lack of prosecution and consistency when it came to shirt-pulling, inside and outside the penalty, infuriated many.

The post Sheffield United 0-1 Leeds United: five things learned as game-changing Jake Clarke helps end 26-year wait appeared first on Squawka News.



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