Heaven knows Leeds United’s long-suffering supporters have learnt to temper their expectations down the years, but try keeping them grounded after this.
After 16 years outside of the Premier League, a top-flight return is in clear focus following a victory which moved Marcelo Bielsa’s side three points ahead of West Brom at the summit.
More importantly, they stand eight points clear of third-placed Brentford with seven games remaining.
After goals from Patrick Bamford, Ezgjan Alioski and Jack Harrison, Leeds’ director of football, Victor Orta, rose from his seat in Elland Road’s West Stand and punched the air like a madman.
Chief executive Angus Kinnear was all smiles, too, giving the “Leeds salute” to club staff at pitchside when the final whistle sounded.
It said much for the significance of a win which lifted Leeds 10 points clear of Fulham.
Alioski said: “It’s an amazing feeling and not just because we’re on top but because it was three-zero. It’s a big win, but it was not easy so I’m very proud that we could take this victory.
“It’s nice to see this but you want to play game by game and take the points. There are still seven games to play and that’s a lot, so we need to win these other games.”
Fulham were dominant for much of a first half in which Bamford fired Leeds ahead from Helder Costa’s cross.
Yet Bielsa withdrew both men at half-time and replaced them with Alioski and Pablo Hernandez in a tactical masterstroke. Alioski rifled home a second goal and Hernandez’s delightful pass sent Harrison clear for a third.
Alioski added: “The coach knows Pablo and I like to press; we can run and keep the ball. I don’t say that the other players didn’t do that but we needed a change.
“Maybe another player can do it also? I think the whole team felt that we need to change something.
“Me and Pablo only want to help the team and we try to do the best and attack. We deserved the win but it was not easy for us.”
Fulham striker Alexsandar Mitrovic, meanwhile, could face retrospective action from the FA after smashing his elbow into Ben White’s face early in the game.
Referee Tony Harrington took no action but the FA is expected to look into the incident.
Fulham manager Scott Parker said: “During the game I didn’t see it as an issue”.
More on Leeds United
- Ayling exclusive: ‘Last season still hurts – but now Leeds are ready for the Premier League’
- Kevin Garside: Every team had a bruiser but few were as gifted as the Leeds United general
- ‘Sealing Leeds United’s promotion was the most important goal of my career’
- Bamford exclusive: ‘I owe a lot to Marcelo Bielsa. He’s the first boss to see me as a No 9’
- ‘Spygate’: Bielsa taught Lampard and all of English football a lesson
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/2ND4wUk
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