Leeds United returned from the international break on Friday night with a vital 2-0 victory over Sheffield United at Elland Road, an important result against a fellow promotion contender.
After a scoreless first half, Leeds United found their stride in the second. Pascal Struijk opened the scoring in the 69th minute, and Mateo Joseph added a late goal in the 90th, ensuring all three points.
Moreover, Illan Meslier, coming off a draw with Sunderland, delivered a strong performance, keeping a clean sheet. After draws against West Bromwich Albion, Norwich City, and Sunderland, along with a loss to Burnley, this win over the Blades provides a much-needed confidence boost.
Pundit wonders why Leeds standout didn’t play
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Dan James and Manor Solomon had to wait on the bench as they returned from recent injuries for the clash against Sheffield United. Despite the Whites securing the win over Sheffield United, former Leeds United man Michael Bridges told LUTV he could not believe the on-loan Tottenham man did not start after watching him in training.
“For Daniel Farke not to put Manor Solomon in after what I witnessed at the training ground during the week, I don’t know how he’s not playing. But you’ve got to take it from the team that played last time,” Bridges said (h/t LeedsUnited.News).
Leeds need to regroup quickly as they take on Watford this Tuesday night, following the latter’s Saturday loss to Luton Town. The Whites are pushing for a second straight win to maintain their grip on second place as the competition heats up.
Leeds will face a Watford side struggling on the road. Manager Tom Cleverley plans to meet with his coaching staff before their upcoming trip to Elland Road to address the team’s road struggles.
“There’ll be an inquest into what we can do as a coaching staff to make the players realise, but for me it’s an away form thing and it’s something we really have to address,” Cleverley said. “We are flat away from home, we’re not committing to trying to play football and we’re just not standing up to the battles well enough either.
“So that will result in some shaky performances and it’s absolutely my responsibility to make sure the team looks like it has an identity away from home and can start picking up results.”
With injuries mounting for the Whites, they have been linked with both Liverpool and Arsenal players which you can read about here.
