Bielsa’s super-sub becomes super-star in Leeds’ 2-0 Derby win

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Leeds United extended their lead at the top of the Championship on Friday night with a comfortable victory over Derby County at Elland Road.

However, the result was somewhat marred by the ongoing spying controversy story, which developed at quite a speed throughout the day.

Kemar Roofe and Jack Harrison scored either side of half time to seal the points for the hosts.

For now, Leeds can be happy with their result and their position in the table, but there are sure to be ramifications for their misdemeanour in the coming days.

Here are five things we spied during Friday’s game.

1. Bielsa confesses, Lampard fumes

Any tactical talking points in the build-up to the game were completely overshadowed by accusations and confirmation of spying, in which Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa has become primarily embroiled.

In his pre-match interview with Sky Sports, Bielsa took full responsibility for sending an employee of Leeds United to spy on a Derby Country training session on Thursday. Earlier on Friday, Derby released a statement confirming the man had been arrested.

Common sense immediately indicated Leeds had been spying on Derby to get the upper hand, but it almost seemed too surreal to be true. What’s more, nobody at Leeds was going to actually admit to the crime – were they?

Bielsa shocked everyone with his pre-match confession, via a translator. The Argentinian suggested spying was culturally acceptable in Argentina, but Frank Lampard was having none of it.

The Derby boss fumed in his pre-match interview, blasting Bielsa for failing to adapt to a new culture and insisting he would have huge problems with Leeds’ behaviour regardless of the result of the match.

2. Controversies almost steal limelight

If there hadn’t already been enough controversy before this one, the officials decided to make two hugely contentious decisions in the opening minute.

Ezgjan Alioski was knocked over in the penalty area and the referee initially pointed to the spot. However, the Leeds fans’ cheers were soon silenced by the linesman’s flag.

The ruling was offside, but replays showed Alioski was clearly onside. The penalty decision itself was six of one, half a dozen of the other. It’s difficult to tell whether it all evened itself out or the officials simply got away with two very questionable decisions.

Either way, it was a comical moment given there had been so much focus on controversies leading up to the game.

The referee missed another penalty shout when Pablo Hernandez had his foot stepped on 10 minutes into the second half. If not for ‘Spygate’ and Leeds’ easy victory, the hosts might have had something to complain about themselves.

3. Jack Clarke is one to keep an eye on

If you had never watched Jack Clarke before, you wouldn’t have guessed he was making his first Championship start against Derby.

The 18-year-old, who has mostly been used as an impact substitute up until now, was instrumental in Leeds’ victory, providing a neat shimmy and brilliant cross for the opener before playing a key role in the second goal with another fine delivery.

It’s far too easier to compare every hot prospect to a world class star, but there are noticeable similarities between Clarke and a young Gareth Bale.

Bale is stronger on his left foot and Clarke on his right. Still, the way Clarke breezes past his marker and delivers low, accurate crosses into dangerous areas is reminiscent of Bale when he was a winger.

It’s too earlier to predict the heights Clarke will reach, but he certainly looks like a player with a big future.

4. Derby offer next to nothing

On this evidence, there are plenty of reasons Leeds lead the way in the Championship while Derby are only pushing for a play-off spot.

A top six finish in Lampard’s first season shouldn’t be scoffed at, but Leeds are a level above right now.

The Yorkshire side were utterly dominant, particularly in the first half. Derby lost the ball 89 times in the opening 89 minutes, mainly because Leeds didn’t give them a second’s rest in possession – it’s almost as if the hosts had prior knowledge of how Derby would play…

Of course, there will be plenty of jokes about the spy incident. But at the same time, it’s impossible to know how the game would have turned out if not for all the distracting controversy.

5. Kemar Roofe gives Leeds the edge

For any side aiming for promotion from the Championship, a goalscorer is a necessity. Kemar Roofe is proving to be all of that and more for Leeds this term.

Roofe opened the scoring with his 10th goal in his last 14 league appearances and his 14th Championship goal of the campaign.

The 26-year-old has a poacher’s instinct, as he demonstrated for the first goal. Roofe’s keen movement allowed him to get across his man with ease, and he put the ball past Scott Carson with a deft touch that had just the right amount of power and height.

Only a player with confidence can finish in such a way when the pressure is on. In Roofe, Leeds possess a player who will add a minimum of 20 goals to their final haul, a tally that will serve the team’s promotion push well.

The post Leeds 2-0 Derby: Bielsa’s pair of Jacks end losing streak after ‘spy gate’ appeared first on Squawka News.



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