‘Stealing a living!’ - Leeds’ Premier League loanee embarrassed by namesake in dramatic Villa comeback

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Leeds United snatch a Christmas No.1 as they mount a dramatic comeback after being behind 2-0 to win 2-3 in the last minute. 

Leeds were looking like they were going to return to Yorkshire with no points on Sunday, as Marcelo Bielsa’s side looked a shadow of themselves at Villa Park in the first half.

On loan from Chelsea, Tammy Abraham opened the scoring before Conor Hourihane doubled the lead for Villa with a curled effort from outside the area. Leeds rallied after the break when they replaced struggling Manchester City loanee Jack Harrison with fellow youngster Jack Clarke, who got one back for the visitors after spending 11 minutes on the pitch.

Leeds got back on level footing via Pontus Janssen’s header. Pablo Hernández assisted both of these goals and has now provided nine assists in the Championship this season; at least three more than any other player in the division.

The intensity ratcheted up several notches after that with chances to take the lead going begging at both ends. Norwich City fans might have been licking their lips in anticipation of waking up on Christmas Day top of the table, but Kemar Roofe had other ideas when he scored in the 95th minute.

Here’s five things we learned from Sunday’s exciting clash in the Championship.

1. Tammy Abraham: England’s most in-form striker

The versatile Villa forward scored the opener for his side on Sunday at Villa Park. His goal is his ninth in his last seven appearances. Abraham is on loan from Premier League giants Chelsea and Maurizio Sarri could well be kicking himself this afternoon as his high-profile strikers continue to miss the net.

Abraham has scored 12 goals in the Championship so far this season. Meanwhile, Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud have only found the back of the net six time between them.

Abraham’s nine goals in eight league appearances is more goals than any other player has scored within the top four tiers of English league football since the start of November.

2. Debutant Davis will have nightmares of Kodja

18-year-old Leif Davis made his debut today after Barry Douglas was taken ill in a pre-match warm-up. Judging by his performance in the first half the youngster was not ready for the occasion.

Jonathan Kodjia ran rings around the defender in the first half, with his strength, close ball control and dribbling ability proving too much for the young debutant.

Kodjia’s highlight of the match came when he used all the skills to evade Leeds defenders to deftly set up Conor Hourihane for his stunning goal from range.

3. Clarke embarrasses Harrison in battle of the Jacks

Jack Harrison struggled again at Villa Park and was subbed off at half time as a result after the Manchester City loanee seemed to lack confidence in the final third.  the youngster failed to attempt a single shot for Leeds in the first half.

Leeds fans were highly critical of the forward and not for the first time this season, with many of them pleading for him to return to the Etihad.

Another youngster, 18-year-old Jack Clarke, came on to replace the struggling Harrison and took only 11 minutes to find the back of the net with a sublime individual effort. His goal spurred Leeds on in the second half and his side found an equaliser five-minutes later.

4. Harry Wilson has some competition

Conor Hourihane has now scored three stunning goals in the Championship this season, all of which have been scored from outside the box. His long-range stunner come today in the first half when he pounced on to Kodjia’s brilliantly weighted lay-off to strike the ball firmly past Bailey Peacock-Farell between the sticks.

Hourihane will be hoping he can catch up with Liverpool loanee Harry Wilson, who is plying his trade with Derby County in the Championship. The 21-year-old winger has found the net from outside the area five times already this season.

5. The perfect advert for the Championship

Sunday’s clash with all its thrills and spills and twists and turns will prove to be a very good reason for football fans to tune into Championship games this season.

Villa Park was packed for this one, and the atmosphere was electric throughout. The action on the pitch freely flowed from one end of the pitch to the other for pretty much the whole game.

Much of the credit for this should go to managers Dean Smith and Marcelo Bielsa. Both tacticians are not afraid of giving youngsters a chance to shine and do not shy from taking risks with direct, fast-paced attacking football. Smith’s men, at the very lest, deserved to share the points this afternoon, but it’s Bielsa who will leave Villa Park with a spring in his step as Roofe’s late, late winner sees his side go top at Christmas.

The post Bielsa is Christmas No.1: five things learned from Leeds’ incredible comeback win at Aston Villa appeared first on Squawka News.



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