Tag: Leeds United FC

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Klopp reacts to ‘brilliant’ Liverpool display in six-goal rout of shambolic Leeds

Jurgen Klopp

Mueez Ajao

– Liverpool’s 6-1 mauling of Leeds United at Elland Road on Monday was their best performance of the season according to manager Jurgen Klopp, who has not ruled out a push for a Champions League place in the final weeks of the campaign.

– The victory was Liverpool’s first in six games in all competitions since they beat Manchester United 7-0 in early March, as they inflicted a record home Premier League defeat on hapless Leeds who are battling against relegation.

– “I think it’s the best game we’ve played this season from all different perspectives,” Klopp told Sky Sports. “We forced a lot of errors, sensational goals and counter-pressing, the best game for long time.

Also Read: How Leeds fell victim to Liverpool’s hunger for win

– “There were a couple of tough moments, we conceded an unnecessary goal, but these things happen. Apart from that we were in control of the game.”

– Liverpool have also beaten Bournemouth 9-0 in the Premier League and Rangers 7-1 in the Champions League this season, but Klopp said he will always judge his players on performance rather than the number of goals they score.

– “I’m not bothered about scoring six, it’s about the performance. This was a winning performance,” he said. “We can be super offensive orientated if we react in the right moment. I can’t explain why our counter-pressing didn’t work [earlier this season], but tonight it clicked.

– “I’m not sure how many goals we scored after we won the ball back — that makes all the difference.”

– Leeds boss Javi Gracia looked utterly defeated in his postmatch interviews and was at a loss to explain his team’s capitulation.

– “It’s hard to accept the game today, the result as well,” Spaniard Gracia, who took over in February, told the BBC. “We lost composure during the game. Maybe the first goal opened the game and maybe came from a handball [by Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold], but after that there is nothing to say, we have to improve for the next game.”

– Leeds now have the worst defence in the top flight with 60 goals conceded in 31 games and are only two points above the relegation zone ahead of a trip to Fulham on Saturday.

– “It’s something we need to work on and try to improve,” he said. “It’s something we didn’t do in the previous games and now we are in the most important part of the season. We have to be more solid and defend better.”

– Leeds were booed off the pitch at the final whistle by those fans still inside Elland Road and Gracia acknowledged there was no quick fix to their defensive frailties beyond heightened effort and concentration.

– “We played today against a very good team. They played much better, they deserved the result and we tried but it was impossible to do it better,” he said. “The only message [to the players] is to try to play better next game, try and get a better result and this way they [the supporters] will be with us.

– “There is only one way. Try to work hard and try to improve.”

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Roy’s revival continues as five-star Palace crush Leeds at Elland Road

Roy Hodgson

Mueez Ajao

– Crystal Palace staged a remarkable second-half turnaround to give a significant boost to their Premier League survival hopes and leave stunned Leeds with plenty of work to do in their own bid to avoid relegation.

– The Eagles scored four goals after the break with Jordan Ayew – in for the injured Wilfried Zaha – scoring two in an incredible demolition of the home side.

– Such a victory looked hugely unlikely after Patrick Bamford’s 50th goal for the club gave Leeds the reward their early dominance deserved.

Also Read: New Crystal Palace boss Hodgson ‘never felt old enough to retire’ on return

– But from then on it all went downhill as Marc Guehi flicked in an equaliser on the stroke of half-time before Palace scored two goals in two minutes soon after the break.

– First, Ayew made it 2-1 with an excellent header before Eberechi Eze added a quick third, poking in from Michael Olise’s pass.

– Odsonne Edouard drove a fourth into the bottom corner following a quick counter – with the excellent Olise providing the assist again – and Ayew completed the rout late on when he lifted a shot over Illan Meslier, prompting many Leeds fans to leave.

– The stunning win moves Crystal Palace up to 12th in the Premier League, six points clear of the relegation zone, while Leeds are 16th, just two points above the drop.

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Jesus’ resurrection returns precious points for Arsenal to stay 8 points clear

Gabriel Jesus

Mueez Ajao

– Gabriel Jesus scored his first Arsenal goals since October as the Gunners restored their eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a comfortable win over Leeds.

– Second-placed Manchester City’s victory at home to Liverpool on Saturday lunchtime had cut the gap to five points, but Jesus’ first-half penalty – awarded for Luke Ayling’s mistimed challenge on the Brazilian – put Mikel Arteta’s side in front just after the half-hour mark.

– Leeds had created the better opportunities in the opening half hour of the contest, with Rasmus Kristensen, Crysencio Summerville and Jack Harrison all testing home keeper Aaron Ramsdale.

Also Read: Awesome Alvarez inspires Man City to massive win in the title race

– But they fell further behind two minutes into the second half when Ben White converted Gabriel Martinelli’s low cross via the underside of the crossbar.

Ben White

– Arsenal dominated from that moment on and Jesus – recalled to the side in place of Bukayo Saka – made it 3-0 with a clinical first-time finish from Leandro Trossard’s drilled cross.

Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus

– Rasmus Kristensen pulled a goal back for Leeds via a heavy deflection off Oleksandr Zinchenko, but Granit Xhaka’s late header from Martin Odegaard’s delivery completed the scoring with six minutes remaining.

Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus

– The defeat leaves Javi Gracia’s team hovering a point above the relegation zone with 10 games of the campaign left to play.

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Chelsea manager Potter delighted to end ‘tough’ winless run by beating Leeds

Graham Potter

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– There was almost palpable relief on the pitch, in the tunnel and in the stands at Stamford Bridge on Saturday after Chelsea produced their first win in seven weeks — a stuttering 1-0 victory over struggling Leeds United.

– Applause replaced the jeers of previous weeks and players, wreathed in smiles, hugged each other as they left the pitch.

– Coach Graham Potter, who took over last September, has been under enormous pressure after a string of sparkless defeats and colourless draws.

Also Read: Potter casts Leeds aside to end Chelsea’s winless run

– The club, under American Todd Boehly and a consortium, spent some £300 million in the January transfer window, adding to the expectations to succeed, but Potter has had trouble turning his expensive array of talent into an effective attacking force.

– Scoring 24 goals in 25 games is not a strike rate expected of the club used to flying high in the Premier League and who won the Champions League as recently as 2021.

– So, even if Saturday’s win was less than spectacular, it transformed Potter’s post-match demeanour.

– “It’s a big win,” a beaming Potter told reporters. “We are delighted with the win that’s for sure because we’ve had a tough period.”

– France defender Wesley Fofana, who joined Chelsea at the start of the season, but was sidelined for several weeks with injury, scored the only goal of the game, rising above Leeds defenders to head home early in the second half.

– “It’s really good for the players to win and to keep a clean sheet,” Potter said. “It gives us confidence… as we prepare for a massive game on Tuesday.”

– Chelsea face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday, needing to claw back a 1-0 deficit from the first leg.

– They will need to step up a gear to do that but Potter believes Saturday’s goal can be the start of many.

– “If you create chances the goals will come because the quality of the players is there,” he said.

– “I’m delighted for the players and for the supporters because they are the most important in the football club.”

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Potter casts Leeds aside to end Chelsea’s winless run

Wesley Fofana

Mueez Ajao

– Welsey Fofana scored his first Premier League goal for Chelsea as the Blues beat Leeds to ease the pressure on manager Graham Potter.

– After a run of just one win in their past 15 games, there was a sense that three points were a must for Potter, despite insisting he retained the support of the club’s owners before the game.

– The Blues made a blistering start and could have been 3-0 up inside 30 minutes.

Also Read: Chelsea fan banned from football for racist gesture towards Spurs Son

– Kai Havertz was one-on-one with Leeds keeper Illan Meslier, while Joao Felix smashed a shot from distance against the crossbar before Ben Chilwell prodded wide from an excellent position.

– After that there was a growing sense of deja vu around Stamford Bridge as Chelsea faded while Leeds grew into the game, with Jack Harrison sending a free-kick over the bar before the break.

– But Fofana ended Chelsea’s run of 396 minutes without a goal when he rose to head home from a corner early in the second half.

– Leeds upped the pressure in the closing stages as the hosts dropped deep to try and hold on for a precious win, making for a nervous finale to the game for the home fans, but they held on to secure their second win this year.

– Chelsea remain 10th despite the win while Leeds are 17th and only out of the bottom three on goal difference.

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Leeds appoint ex-Watford boss Gracia as new manager

Javi Gracia

Mueez Ajao

– Leeds United have appointed former Watford boss Javi Gracia as their new manager, the club announced on Tuesday.

– Gracia replaces Jesse Marsch, who was sacked on Feb. 6 following seven games without a win in the Premier League.

– “Leeds United are delighted to announce the club have agreed terms with Javi Gracia to become men’s first team head coach, subject to obtaining a work permit,” a club statement read.

Also Read: Leeds sack head coach Jesse Marsch

– The club confirmed that the Spaniard has agreed to sign a “flexible contract.”

– Leeds, who have since failed to win in three subsequent games under the caretaker charge of Michael Skubala, are now 19th in the table ahead of Saturday’s game against Southampton.

– Gracia, 52, has been out of work since leaving Al Sadd last year. He has also managed Malaga, Rubin Kazan and Valencia. During his time at Watford, he led them to the 2019 FA Cup final, which they lost 6-0 to Manchester City.

– Carlos Corberan was linked with the position at Leeds before signing a new deal at West Bromwich Albion. The club also had interest in Rayo Vallecano’s Andoni Iraola and ex-Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder.

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Red-hot Rashford fires Man United to second place

Marcus Rashford

Mueez Ajao

– Manchester United scored twice in the final 10 minutes at Elland Road to leave manager-less Leeds deep in relegation trouble.

– Marcus Rashford broke the deadlock when he rose to meet Luke Shaw’s curling cross to head past Illan Meslier for his 21st goal of a superb season.

Marcus Rashford

– Substitute Alejandro Garnacho then outpaced the home defence before beating Meslier at his near post to the obvious joy of manager Erik ten Hag on the touchline.

Alejandro Garnacho

Also Read: Valiant Leeds hold Man United to thrilling draw at Old Trafford

Alejandro Garnacho

– The result was harsh on Leeds, who created a number of decent opportunities but could not beat visiting goalkeeper David de Gea.

– It also turns the focus on football director Victor Orta, who is responsible for bringing in a replacement for Jesse Marsch, who was sacked last week.

– Chief executive Angus Kinnear, who sat next to Orta in the directors’ box, pointed out in his programme notes that he understands the importance of a prompt replacement for Marsch, not least because chairman Andrea Radrizzani suggested last Tuesday it was imminent.

– That work continues knowing if Everton win Monday’s Merseyside derby at Anfield, Leeds will drop into the bottom three.

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Sancho’s comeback goal excites Ten Hag in Leeds draw

Jadon Sancho

Mueez Ajao

– Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has spoken of his pride at “magnificent” Jadon Sancho’s goalscoring return to the Premier League.

– Sancho spent three months battling physical and mental issues, with Ten Hag at one point saying the England winger was not fit enough to play.

– The 22-year-old trained on his own in the Netherlands rather than go on United’s warm weather training trip to Cadiz in December and he only returned to action in the EFL Cup semi-final win against Nottingham Forest on 1 February.

Also Read: Valiant Leeds hold Man United to thrilling draw at Old Trafford

– His introduction as a second-half substitute helped changed the course of the Premier League encounter with Leeds, with Sancho’s 59th-minute arrival triggering a comeback from 2-0 down in a thrilling contest and topped off by his equaliser.

– It was the £73m former Borussia Dortmund forward’s first league goal since September.

– “I am pleased and proud he did it,” said Ten Hag.

– “It is clear it is a difficult period but he finds himself out and he needs credit for that. He is a brilliant footballer and if he can invest in the right levels he can be outstanding.

– “I will back him, the coaches will and the team will but finally he has to do it himself.”

– In a period where United are without Cristian Eriksen until the end of April, Antony is sidelined, Casemiro is serving a three-match ban – and with teenager Alejandro Garnacho prone to the inconsistency he showed against Leeds – Ten Hag could do with Sancho back at something like top form as he approaches a tough run of games.

– United have Sunday’s rematch with Leeds, a two-legged Europa League tie with Barcelona, the visit of Leicester and the EFL Cup final before the end of the month.

– “It is in his own hands. If he wants, he can do,” said the United boss.

– “We now have a team that can play in the opponents’ half. He likes that. He can play in tight areas.

– “At this moment he is in a good mood and it will strengthen him, it will motivate him to give more.

– “He is in the right direction and if he keeps going with that process he can do even more to really help us to achieve our goals.”

– Ten Hag, seen smiling as Sancho celebrated, added in his TV interviews afterwards: “We know he is a magnificent football player and he can consistently have a big impact, but he has to work every day very hard. I enjoyed it [his goal].”

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Valiant Leeds hold Man United to thrilling draw at Old Trafford

Manchester United

Mueez Ajao

– Manchester United fought back from 2-0 down to rescue a point against manager-less Leeds United after a thrilling 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Wednesday.

– Leeds, under the charge of assistant coach Chris Armas following the dismissal of Jesse Marsch, struck after just 55 seconds through Wilfried Gnonto and went 2-0 up with a goal almost as early in the second half courtesy of Raphael Varane turning the ball into his own net.

Leeds United FC

– But Man United pulled level with two quick-fire goals from Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho in the 62nd and 70th minutes to salvage a draw.

Also Read: Leeds sack head coach Jesse Marsch

Jadon Sancho

– The result keeps Man United in third place but just three points above fourth-placed Newcastle who have a game in hand. Leeds’ potentially vital point lifts them above West Ham and into 16th place on goal difference, a point above the relegation zone.

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Leeds sack head coach Jesse Marsch

Jesse Marsch

Mueez Ajao

– Jesse Marsch has been sacked as Leeds United manager after a poor run of results, the club announced Monday.

– Leeds suffered a disappointing defeat on Sunday to fellow relegation rivals Nottingham Forest that left them one place above the bottom three in the Premier League.

– A club statement read on Monday: “Leeds United can confirm head coach Jesse Marsch has been relieved of his duties. Jesse joined the club in February 2022 and was instrumental in keeping the club in the Premier League on the final day of last season. Rene Maric, Cameron Toshack and Pierre Barrieu will also leave the club.

Also Read: Haaland hits 20 as Man City beat Leeds

– “We would like to thank Jesse and his backroom staff for their efforts and wish them well for the future. The process of appointing a new head coach is underway and we will continue to keep supporters up to date throughout the coming days.”

– Leeds supporters vented their frustration toward Marsch during and after the match, and chanted that the American manager should leave.

– The Yorkshire club have won only four league games this season and are level on points with 18th-placed Everton with a game in hand.

– Marsch became the third American to coach in England’s top-flight division when Leeds appointed him in February 2022.

– He replaced Leeds fan favourite Marcelo Bielsa after the club endured a tough run of results that saw them slide closer to relegation.

– Marsch helped the club avoid relegation on the final day of the 2022-23 campaign with a last-gasp win at Brentford.

– Leeds have secured impressive wins over Chelsea and Liverpool this season but have failed to find consistency and face another battle to stay in the league.