Leeds United have treated us to some fantastic displays in this memorable first season back in the Premier League, but was that the best at home? Against Tottenham Hotspur, there was never really a stage where you felt all the points were returning to London. Spurs may not have been firing, but Leeds played their part in making that the case with a superb procession in defence and attack.
Marcelo Bielsa said: “Considering the fortitude of the opponent and the way in which we attacked and defended, and the possibilities to play pretty much on even terms, it’s one of the best of the season.”
The wins at Leicester City and Aston Villa may shade this one, but this may well have been the pinnacle of the Premier League campaign at Elland Road.
Rodrigo back among the goals
While 2020/21 has been sensational for Leeds United, the same cannot be said on an individual basis for Rodrigo, the club’s most expensive footballer of all time. The goal on Saturday was his first of this calendar year and only his fourth of the entire season.
Marcelo Bielsa said: “Rodrigo is a vital player for us. The obligation of all of us who are part of this group is to manage to get him to be able to do everything that he is capable of doing. After the time he spent without playing, he played half-an-hour against Brighton, 45 minutes with the under-23s and he came on in the game today and after each appearance, he has played better than he did in the previous game. So it’s important we manage to see the richness he has football-wise. He’s a player who has the solutions to a game without anyone indicating them to him.”
Bielsa cannot overstate the former Valencia man’s importance to this unit, especially if they are to kick on again as we hope next season.
Raphinha sets the stage
Finally, at long last, Leeds saw the return of their favourite Brazilian after three matches away with what we all hoped was just a dead leg at first. Fernandinho has a lot to answer for. While there was a disappointment before the match Raphinha had not been selected to start, Bielsa underlined what we all suspected.
Marcelo Bielsa said: “Raphinha hadn’t played in a while and Phillips only returned to training prior to the game.”
It did not take long for us all to remember what we had been missing. In the 35 minutes or so he had on the field, Raphinha showed us how dangerous his movement, flair, anticipation, acceleration, dribbling and passing can be.
