Leeds Player Ratings: Barnsley 0 - 2 Leeds. Nketiah and Klich goals give Leeds an important win.

Leeds United were given a scare by a game Barnsley side who deserve credit for a pretty good performance. However, they stuck to their guns and came out with an important 2-0 win at Oakwell.

Both sides had a lot of chances in a frenetic game and that it was still 0-0 going into the 84th minute was borderline miraculous. Marcelo Bielsa’s substitutions won the day as Arsenal loanee Eddie Nketiah gave Leeds the lead from a Kalvin Phillips free-kick and then Nketiah won a penalty, which Mateusz Klich converted, to make the trip back from South to West Yorkshire much easier.

Time now to look at each player and how they performed. As always you can tell me how wrong I am @mightywhitespod or @ThruItAllLUFC on twitter.

STARTING LINE-UP

Kiko Casilla - Made a good early save to deny Mallik Wilks after Harrison gave the ball away. Forced into another couple of good saves. Came off his line well to deny Wilks again have he ran past Cooper and Phillips. Another terrific save from point blank range, flag was up for offside but he wasn’t to know that. Deserves massive credit for today’s clean sheet. 8/10

Stuart Dallas - Started with an excellent tackle to go straight through Wilks cleanly and win a goal kick. Had a good chance to find a ball in from the right with Leeds 4 on 3 but his cross was wasteful. Produced a good cross to set up Alioski but his header was weak. Forced a good save from the corner of the area with a rasping effort. Continued his good form this season and his energy up and down the right side was very impressive. 7.5/10

Ben White - In a scrappy, tense half, he was a beacon of calm. Did get done once by Wilks for a chance he dragged wide but a good first half aside from that. Second half, more of the same. Looked good in the air and excellent on the ball. Did have an easier task than Cooper as Wilks went against Cooper more often. 7.5/10

Liam Cooper - Effective in his defensive work. Almost punished by Wilks after a really unfortunate slip. Then got left for dead by Wilks who forced Casilla into another good save. Went flying in for an interception but missed the ball, luckily he was rescued by Alioski. Second half was not his best but he was still alright. 6.5/10

Ezgjan Alioski - Full of energy but got beat too easily on a couple of occasions and was wasteful with his crosses in the first half. Had a weak header on goal early in the second half. Got forward well in the second half which provided support to Costa. Played Costa in behind for the disallowed goal but he waited too long to release it causing the offside. Crossing was a source of frustration. 6/10

Kalvin Phillips - Made several good tackles in the first half but his passing wasn’t at his usual level. Most of his corners weren’t great first half but did put in an excellent cross from a free-kick. Then Harrison missed an absolute sitter from his last corner of the half after a flick-on. Set-pieces looked more consistently dangerous in the second half. Great free-kick crossed in for Nketiah’s goal. Won the ball a lot in midfield and was a driving force for the side as usual. 8/10

Jamie Shackleton - Put Bamford through on goal after 3 minutes with an excellent through ball, then had another chance to get an assist but put in a poor cross 2 minutes later, Played another good ball to set up Bamford for a more difficult chance than his first. Gave Leeds a lot of energy in the midfield during the first half.

Second half, more of the same but the players around him were more involved causing him to stand out less. Could do with shooting earlier when the ball comes his way in the box. Offered less control than Forshaw but that game was so frenetic that I don’t think it would have mattered. 7/10

Pablo Hernandez - Played some nice passes in the opening 30 minutes but he was usually passing earlier in the move than you would like. Had an excellent chance from 15 yards under no pressure from a Harrison lay-off but he skied the chance. Not his best day in terms of creativity but it is nice for Leeds to win without Pablo being at his best. Despite not being at his best he still played some good stuff, particularly a few pieces of link-up play with Dallas. 6/10

Mateusz Klich - Did well on the ball but didn’t particularly stand out in the first half. Set up a good chance for Bamford in the first minute of the second half. Had a good chance from a lay-off but it was blocked. Backed up what we have been saying on the podcast for months by scoring a penalty when he got the chance, it was a really calm penalty as well. 7/10

Jack Harrison - Had a really sloppy first few minutes, gave the ball away too much and one lead to a chance for Wilks. Put the ball on a plate for Hernandez from 15 yards but his finish was poor. Hit the post with the goal gaping after a flick-on from a corner, had to score. Gave the ball away far too much in the first half. Not a shock he was subbed at half-time. 4/10

Patrick Bamford - Missed a great early chance after a great through ball from Shackleton. Another Shackleton pass gave him a chance from a tighter angle but it was well saved. Had another shot saved in the first minute of the second half but his shot lacked power. Had the ball in the net in the 50th minute but it was disallowed for offside. Had another chance with a header from a Phillips corner just after the hour mark. Subbed after 70 minutes. Had to score at least one of his chances. Finishing aside he played well, but strikers are judged heavily on that front. 6/10

SUBSTITUTES

Helder Costa (for Harrison, HT) - Immediately put the ball on a plate for Bamford to score but unfortunately Costa was given offside. Put another great ball across the face of goal soon after. Looked a constant threat and I think he will get the start over Harrison next time out. 7.5/10

Eddie Nketiah (for Bamford, 70mins) - Challenged well when it was knocked up to him. good finish from a Phillips free-kick for the goal. Put through a few minutes later but Collins made a good save at his feet, a better first touch would have made the chance an easier one. Won a penalty by chasing a ball that he was massive outsider to get to, catching out Aapo Halme in the process. Fantastic substitute appearance. Much like Costa, can feel hard done by if he doesn’t get the start next time. 8/10

Gaetano Berardi (for Klich, 92mins) - Not on long enough to score. N/A