Spotted: Two Leeds United players get last laugh after Chris Wilder summer run-in
Image for Spotted: Two Leeds United players get last laugh after Chris Wilder summer run-in
Leeds United came from behind again as they beat Sheffield United 3-1 at Bramall Lane on Monday night, as stunning goals from Junior Firpo, Ao Tanaka and Joel Piroe moved the Whites five clear of second.
A trip to Bramall Lane looked to be Leeds’ biggest test remaining in the season after coming from behind against Sunderland a week ago.
That proved to be the case when the Blades really stuck it on Leeds from the opening moments, getting a deserved early lead through unsurprising circumstances.
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Illan Meslier’s goalmouth was peppered in the early exchanges with high crosses into the box forcing the Frenchman into action, to which he couldn’t respond well, dropping a couple of crosses before he incredibly tipped a Callum O’Hare header onto the bar, only to fumble Tyrese Campbell’s rebound in for an own goal.
However, after the first half hour, Leeds really grew into the game and continued to create chances, finally getting their reward when Dan James’ cross was met by the thumping header of Junior Firpo for 1-1 with 20 minutes to play.
The Blades were then at sea for the rest of the second half, as Leeds pushed for a winner, which they secured through a set-piece, with Firpo winning the first contact from a Joe Rothwell cross, falling into Ao Tanaka’s path, as he looped a header back across goal and seeing it squirm beyond Sydie Peck on the line.
From kick-off at 1-2, Leeds recovered possession and went on the break again, James cutting back to Joel Piroe 20 yards from goal, as the Dutchman unleashed a thunderous effort to seal the win and also move him top of the golden boot charts on 15 with six assists.
Jayden Bogle and Joel Piroe get last laugh after Chris Wilder controversy
(Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Back in the summer, both Jayden Bogle and Piroe were subject to intriguing Chris Wilder transfer sub-plots, the right-back pushing to join Leeds after learning of interest from Elland Road, prompting Wilder to brand Leeds’ antics “Mickey Mouse”.
Their response to a fairly insulting Gus Hamer bid later in August was to try unsettle Piroe with a fabricated report of Leeds offering the striker as a swap for Blades’ star midfielder – obviously quickly rubbished as false.
Well, both players ended up getting the last laugh as footage emerges of Piroe blasting in the clincher and wheeling away to celebrate, joined by Bogle:
Bogle had been booed all game by the home fans, but enjoyed the strike from Piroe, cupping his ears to the nearby Sheffield United contingent, or at least what was left.
Huge win for Leeds to move five clear of second
That was a heroic performance from Leeds yet again to come from behind, and it’s the biggest win so far this season.
The job is far from done, but that is the character that league-winners have to show in tough away games, moving us now five clear of second and seven clear of third.
The quality of the goals is something to marvel at too, breaking down one of the best defences in the league three times in the space of 20 minutes.
Leeds United season ticket holder since 2013/14, currently situated in the middle of the FA5 noise. From Pablo Hernandez to 5-1 drubbings, I’ve seen it all at Elland Road.
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