Leeds United returned from the international break with a vital 2-0 win over Sheffield United at Elland Road on Friday night, a big result against a fellow contender for Premier League promotion.
After a scoreless first half, Leeds took charge in the second. Pascal Struijk broke the deadlock in the 69th minute and the Whites added a second in the 90th, locking in all three points.
Illan Meslier also bounced back from the Sunderland draw with a solid performance, keeping a clean sheet. This season, Leeds have drawn with West Bromwich Albion, Norwich City, and Sunderland, while losing to Burnley, so the win over a promotional rival is a confidence booster.
Was the assist on Pascal Struijk’s goal intentional?
Joe Rothwell had already taken a couple of poor set-pieces earlier in the match, and when he delivered the assist, it looked like another misplaced cross at first. Following the game, manager Daniel Farke and BBC Radio Leeds pundit Leigh Bromby analyzed the assist and gave their verdict on whether Rothwell meant to do what he did or it was a lucky accident.
“Happy days,” Farke told the media at his press conference (h/t LeedsUnited.News). “Since the first day, I insisted that set pieces are important. My teams are always there on top with this. Not happy last season with this on our deliveries. I saw this goal coming from the corner. Lads, do me a favour and end this curse.
“Compliments to our guys in the staff working on this. This was what we executed what we planned, a low delivery. Need a few more this season.”
Bromby added: “I am gobsmacked. It looks like he mishits the corner, whether he means it. It’s an unbelievable finish. Unbelievable. It’s an unbelievable finish. I don’t know whether that’s something they have worked on, or if it’s a miss-hit corner, but what a finish!”
Leeds must move on quickly as they face Watford, who are coming off a loss on Saturday to Luton Town, on Tuesday night. The Whites aim for a second consecutive win to keep their spot in second place as the competition intensifies.
