JUST as some were starting to lose faith in the messiah Marcelo Bielsa, Leeds delivered a five star showing to trounce Newcastle.
Back-to-back defeats, a curse defending set-pieces, and just one win at Elland Road saw the Argentine’s halo lose a little of its shine.
Jack Harrison put some gloss on Leeds’ victory over Newcastle with a stunning late finishCredit: Reuters
Ezgjan Alioski made the points safe late on with Leeds’ fourthCredit: Reuters
And then, just as the bottom three started to loom over their shoulders, Bielsa’s boys put the hapless Magpies to the sword in stunning style.
Patrick Bamford, Rodrigo, Stuart Dallas, Ezgjan Alioski and Jack Harrison were the fabulous five.
At times it was hairy, with Newcastle taking the lead through Jeff Hendrick.
And when Ciaran Clark drew Steve Bruce’s side back to 2-2 in the second-half, those of a Leeds persuasion inside Elland Road grew edgy.
But rather than go under, they found another gear just when needed to notch just their second home win of the season.
Dallas made it 3-2 with 13 minutes remaining, nodding home at the back post after ghosting in undetected.
Sub Pablo Hernandez then set up Alioski to thump home the fourth on the counter.
And they saved the best for last as Harrison ran with it from the halfway line before slamming into the roof of the net from 25 yards.
Ciaran Clark had nodded Newcastle levelCredit: AFP
Rodrigo had given Leeds a 2-1 advantageCredit: AP:Associated Press
Having said he will never disclose his side again after naming it early backfired against West Ham, Bielsa stuck with the same 11 that lost 2-1 to the Hammers.
It took them a while to get motoring but, once into gear, they could have scored four inside the first 25 minutes.
Rodrigo was first up, skying miles over from the top of the box on his left back after a cut back from Jack Harrison.
Skipper Liam Cooper was next, forcing a smart save from Karl Darlow.
The Scot soared above Ciaran Clark to meet Kalvin Phillips’ corner but the Magpies stopper was more than a match, beating out from point-blank range.
Bielsa’s boys were causing carnage down the right, Jacob Murphy – normally a winger – struggling at full-back.
Raphinha looked dangerous down Leeds’ right flank but forgot his shooting boots, smashing well over after creating a yard.
So, after squandering a host of decent chances, it was only inevitable that the sucker-punch came.
Marcelo Bielsa wasn’t always pleased with his side’s performanceCredit: AFP
Jeff Hendrick opened the scoring in the first periodCredit: EPA
Mateusz Klich did not get close enough to Ryan Fraser out on the left, allowing the Scot to float it in to Callum Wilson.
The Mags centre-forward flicked it on to the back post, where a gleeful Hendrick found himself unmarked to tap into an empty net on 26 minutes.
It was the Irishman’s second goal since scoring on his debut, and the Tynesiders were eyeing their third win on the bounce.
But life is never that simple with Newcastle and Leeds were level nine minutes later via Bamford.
Raphinha’s cross from the right found Rodrigo, who looped a header over Darlow onto the bar.
But the danger was far from over as poacher Bamford followed it in to nod home his ninth of the season from a yard out.
At half-time, Leeds had 70 per cent possession and 14 shots to Newcastle’s four.
Yet while wasting chances is nothing new to the hosts, nor is soaking up wave after wave of pressure for Bruce’s side.
Steve Bruce couldn’t prevent his side from squandering a leadCredit: EPA
Patrick Bamford gratefully accepted a first-half giftCredit: Reuters
The visitors came out flying after the break and thought they had a good shout for a penalty, only for ref Simon Hooper to wave away their protests after Cooper appeared to come through the back of Wilson.
Like in the opening 45, it took Leeds a while to get into the groove but, once they did, they ran away with it.
Rodrigo made it 2-1 on the hour, starting and finishing a swift move.
Playing it out to Harrison on the left, the Spaniard glided towards the top of the box unmarked, picking up Harrison’s cut back from the by-line and expertly guiding a diving header beyond Darlow.
Newcastle were not quite done though and drew level via Ciaran Clark’s header four minutes later.
The Whites have a serious problem from set-pieces and the curse struck again – the eighth conceded from them this season – with Clark out jumping Luke Ayling and nodding into the bottom corner.
But while they cannot defend free-kicks and corners for toffee, they will always create chances and were back ahead 13 minutes from time.
Mateusz Klich’s cross was nothing special but reached Dallas at the back post, who had crept in undetected to head beyond Darlow.
Ezgjan Alioski made the points safeCredit: EPA
Unfortunately for Bruce Leeds were just starting to hit fifth gear, with Alioski making it four on 85 minutes.
Countering at breakneck speed from a Toon corner, sub Pablo Hernandez picked out Alioski, who smashed into the roof of the net.
And the best was still to come as Harrison fired in a stunner from 25-yards as they broke from another Newcastle corner.
The left-winger carried it from the halfway line, looked up 30 yards out, and leathered it into the top corner to cap a five star showing.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
