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A late Pablo Hernandez goal was enough to get Leeds an enormous three points with a 1-0 win over Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium, to leave Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds needing four points from three games to seal promotion.
No "obvious areas to exploit" for Steve Cooper's Swansea today
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 12, 2020
In truth, this was a poor game for long spells. The first half was poor and there were was only one massive chance in the first 88 minutes. Then, a fantastic team move involving Kalvin Phillips, Luke Ayling, Mateusz Klich, and Helder Costa set up Pablo Hernandez for the winner.
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
Illan Meslier - Did well to punch clear several dangerous corners and made a good save from Conor Gallagher. A couple of examples of good, quick distribution. 7/10
Luke Ayling - Too many wasteful passes, solid defensively. Brilliant for the goal, gets the ball in his own box and runs the length of the pitch both with and without the ball, before finding Hernandez in the area to score. 7/10
Ben White - Defended solidly throughout the game. 7/10
Liam Cooper - Defensively was good, his long passing wasn’t up to his usual levels. 6.5/10
Stuart Dallas - Seemed to play three different positions in the first five minutes. Lots of energy and had a decent effort from 25 yards. 5.5/10
Kalvin Phillips - Solid performance but Seemed to be struggling with an injury which was strapped heavily. 6/10
Jack Harrison - Excellent first time volleyed cross to put it on a plate for a Bamford chance. Played alright but not his best day. 5.5/10
Mateusz Klich - Booked after 30 minutes after a succession of fouls. Much like in previous games, was more involved once Hernandez came on. 6.5/10
Helder Costa - Showed some good flashes but not at his best. Good ball to put Ayling in behind for the goal. 6/10
Tyler Roberts - Very quiet first half. Never able to get into the game. Replaced by Pablo Hernandez at half-time. 5/10
Patrick Bamford - Barely on the ball for the first half an hour before having a decent chance, hit straight at the keeper with his right foot. Had an opportunity with a diving header that he had to score but put it too close to Woodman. Chased everything, wasn’t his fault that he didn’t see enough of the ball. 6/10
Bamford header straight at the keeper #LUFC #LeeSwa pic.twitter.com/I93rFnCs4z
— Tom Ravon (@Tom_Rellour) July 12, 2020
SUBSTITUTES
Pablo Hernandez (for Roberts, HT) - Immediately involved as you would expect at this point. Leeds intensity in attack improved as soon as he came on. Scored the goal with a tidy finish from around the penalty spot. Man of the Match as a sub (for the third time in a row?) 8/10
Words can’t describe this man! pic.twitter.com/Cr6Vo4RM8r
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 12, 2020
Ezgjan Alioski (for Dallas, HT) - Energetic but didn’t have the same quality as we have usually seen since the lockdown. 6/10
Jamie Shackleton (for Costa, 92mins) - Not on long enough to score. N/A
Gaetano Berardi (for Harrison, 94mins) - Not on long enough to score. N/A