BRAMALL LANE — Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder dismissed Marcelo Bielsa’s claim that Leeds United deserved to win Sunday’s Yorkshire derby.
Patrick Bamford’s 88th-minute header, his third Premier League goal of the season, gave the Whites a 1-0 victory and maintained their impressive start to the campaign.
Rookie Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier produced a number of fine saves, including one stunning effort to keep out John Lundstram’s first-half strike.
Wilder said: “I don’t agree with Marcelo’s opinion that they deserved to win – we had the better chances.
“A lot of things are okay and a few need tightening up. If we score first, it puts a different slant on the game.”
The Blades lie bottom after three successive defeats which have seen them fail to register a goal.
Wilder’s woes were compounded by the news that defender Jack O’Connell could miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.
The 26-year-old requires an operation and Wilder, who denied any interest in signing free agent Daniel Sturridge, said: “It is a huge blow for Jack and us.
“He adjusted pretty quickly and established himself in the Premier League last season.”
Bielsa, meanwhile, paid tribute to his players after Leeds’ first Premier League away win since April 2004.
Meslier had conceded seven goals in the opening two games against Liverpool and Fulham but could not be beaten at Bramall Lane as Bamford headed home decisively late on.
Bielsa said: “Bamford is making our offensive game more complete. In the case of Meslier, he had some very important saves.
“In the first two games we did not defend as badly as to concede seven. In this game, not conceding is a step forward. The result was a just one in the end.”
Bielsa refused to comment on reports linking Leeds with a move for £15m for Norwich midfielder Todd Cantwell, saying: “I ignore these situations.”
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