Leeds United record another win. After both goalkeepers excelled, it looked as though a first Premier League derby between the two Yorkshire sides in 26 years was heading for a goalless draw. Patrick Bamford’s late header earned Leeds United a hard-fought victory over Sheffield United, who are still searching for their first points of the season.
But with two minutes remaining, Bamford rose at the back post to meet Jack Harrison’s cross and head in his third goal of the season to send Leeds’ players and staff wild.
It was just a rewarding for a second-half in which Leeds continued to ask questions of home keeper Aaron Ramsdale. Sheffield United, who have never previously failed to score in their opening three league fixtures, will regret John Lundstram’s first-half shot being superbly saved by Illan Meslier.
But a second win of the season for Leeds, and a clean sheet, having conceded seven goals in their opening two games, will be relished by their fans – especially against one of their fiercest rivals.
Meslier lays groundwork for Leeds victory
Leeds have enjoyed an entertaining start to the season, having scored and conceded seven goals in their opening two fixtures against Liverpool and Fulham.
The fact they pushed the champions close in a 4-3 loss at Anfield and held out to beat Fulham by the same scoreline suggests they will win many new fans this campaign. But against Sheffield United they showed they could grind out a victory and were thankful to Frenchman Meslier, who excelled in goal.
In thwarting Lundstram from eight yards, he pulled off one of the saves of the season so far. He also denied George Baldock with another superb effort. Led superbly by midfielder Kalvin Phillips – a timely performance, with England manager Gareth Southgate watching – Marcelo Bielsa’s side created plenty of chances themselves in an open game.
But they could not find their way past Ramsdale, who denied Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas’ toe-poke in the first half before other efforts from Helder Costa and Bamford after the break.
When Dallas finally rounded Ramsdale from Ayling’s long through-ball, Chris Basham cleared his tame effort off the line. But Leeds finally found a way through in the 88th minute as Bamford nodded in a downward header to clinch three points.
Blades’ worst run since 2013 – the stats
- Sheffield United have lost their opening three league matches of a season for only the third time, also doing so in 1966-67 and 1995-96.
- Sheffield United have lost their past six league matches, their worst run since September 2013 (also six in a row).
- Leeds have won 14 of their past 17 league matches, keeping clean sheets in 11 of those wins.
- Bamford is the first player in Leeds’ history to score in his first three top-flight appearances for the club.
- The Leeds striker became the first player since Mick Jones in the 1968-69 season to score in Leeds’ first three matches of a top-flight season.
- Bamford is only the third player to score on matchday one, two and three of a Premier League season for a newly promoted team.
Source – BBC News
