Match Recap: Leeds steal the points at Barnsley

Leeds United left it late to get back to winning ways with a 2-0 win against Barnsley FC on the Sunday lunch-time kick-off at Oakwell.

Eddie Nketiah scored with six minutes to go before Poland international Mateusz Klich coolly slotted home from the penalty spot to reclaim top-spot in the Championship table.

The match started at 100 miles per hour, Barnsley looked to put intense pressure on the Leeds back-line, in a bid to stop United’s play at the source. The home side created a couple little openings before Patrick Bamford was put through on the right hand side. However, he was unable to convert on this occasion as the tight angle slimmed the chance to score.

One of three Leeds academy graduates in red was Mallik Wilks, who looked well up for this match. On a number of occasions, Wilks had made a nuisance of himself, turning his marker well, but was without the final product. Hernandez should’ve had the ball in the back of the net when the ball came out to him by the edge of the box,but the Spaniard leaned too far back, blazing the shot over the crossbar.

A huge Leeds chance arrived on the stroke of half-time, as a Kalvin Phillips corner was met by Jack Harrison at the back stick, but his left-footed shot somehow came off the woodwork.

Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images

This would be Harrison’s last action in the game, as Helder Costa was brought on to replace the Manchester City loanee. And from here the game changed. Leeds came out the blocks flying in the second half, and had a goal ruled out five minutes after the restart.

Helder Costa used his blistering pace to get to the byline on the left, before finding a sweet ball across the face of goal which was met by Bamford, who slid home, before match officials deemed Costa to be offside.

Both sides continued to press in search of an opener, with Barnsley looking dangerous from set-pieces, while Leeds struggled to create any further clear-cut chances. Kiko Casilla was forced into several good saves to keep Leeds level.

However, Leeds managed to find the breakthrough, Kalvin Phillips whipped in a peach of a ball, as a patch cleared for the oncoming Eddie Nketiah, who duly finished to give Leeds the lead.

Leeds soon sealed the victory as Arsenal loanee Nketiah charged onto a long ball in the penalty area, and former Leeds man Aapo Halme fouled with a high boot. Mateusz Klich stepped up, and finished as cool as you like to finish Barnsley off, and return Marcelo Bielsa’s men to top-spot in the Championship.