MX23RW : Friday, October 4 19:03:07| >> :600:247720:247720:
Oct 1, 2019 at 7.45pm UK at ​Elland Road
Attendance: 34,648
LeedsLeeds United
1-0
West BromWest Bromwich Albion
Alioski (38')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Marcelo Bielsa admits Leeds needed luck to beat West Bromwich Albion

Marcelo Bielsa admits Leeds needed luck to beat West Brom
© Reuters
A deflected effort from Ezgjan Alioski separated the sides at Elland Road.

Marcelo Bielsa admitted Leeds rode their luck as they narrowly beat West Brom 1-0 to overtake them at the top of the Sky Bet Championship.

Ezgjan Alioski scored the only goal, via a deflection off former Leeds defender Kyle Bartley.

Albion bossed the majority of the second half but could not find a way past a stubborn home defence.

Bielsa admitted: "It was big big effort from the team tonight.

"We tried to manage the match, but at the end West Brom's creative play was difficult to defend.

"We put all our energy into defending which made it difficult to then put our energy into the attacks."

Bielsa made a bold decision to replace Tyler Roberts, who had come on himself as a substitute at the start of the second half, with defender Luke Ayling in the closing stages.

And the Argentinian defended his decision, saying: "The change was not for his (Roberts) performance. He worked a lot but the shape of the match turned and changed.

"I was forced to make the change to put a more defensive player on the pitch."

For West Brom boss Slaven Bilic it was a maiden loss in the Championship since he arrived in the summer.

"I'm very disappointed with the result but I'm proud of how we played second half," said the Croatian.

"We knew who we were playing and we talked about this as a big opportunity.

"They (Leeds) were more aggressive in the first half and scored a goal. But in the second I didn't see Leeds for a long time.

"I think we definitely deserved one goal and I'm disappointed that we didn't take any of these chances.

"But it's important we don't lose focus or belief."

body check tags ::

Click here for more stories about Marcelo Bielsa

Click here for more stories about Leeds United

Share this article now:
Instagram - Follow Sports Mole
Everton boss Marco Silva applauds on August 17, 2019
Read Next:
News Extra: Sporting 'want Silva', Southampton 'disrespectful', New United scout
>

Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool77001851321
2Manchester CityMan City75112772016
3Leicester CityLeicester7421135814
4Arsenal73311211112
5West Ham UnitedWest Ham7331109112
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs7322149511
7Chelsea73221413111
8Bournemouth73221312111
9Crystal Palace732267-111
10Manchester UnitedMan Utd72329729
11Burnley723210919
12Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd72237708
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves7142911-27
14Southampton7214711-47
15Everton7214612-67
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton7133510-56
17Norwich CityNorwich7205916-76
18Aston Villa7124811-35
19Newcastle UnitedNewcastle7124413-95
20Watford7025420-162

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!