Leeds 2-2 Brentford: (Roberts 27′, Bamford 90+5 | Baptiste 54′, Canos 61′)
When Leeds United substitute Patrick Bamford scored a dramatic 95th-minute equaliser, the wild celebrations which followed said everything.
The striker, making his first appearance since mid-September after an ankle injury, whipped off his jersey, twirled it manically and then threw it in the air.
Bamford was mobbed by his team-mates – including goalkeeper Illan Meslier, who had gone up for the corner which led to the goal – as pandemonium engulfed the home stands.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side are making a habit of leaving it late and Bamford’s goal secured another potentially priceless point in the quest to maintain their Premier League status.
“Patrick scored a goalscorer’s goal,” said Bielsa, who introduced Bamford in the 68th minute with Leeds trailing. “He gave us the equaliser that is very valuable for our expectations given how we got it.”
You could question aspects of Leeds’ performance; certainly for 10 minutes in the second half when they switched off and Brentford scored twice. Crucially, however, once again you could not fault their desire. This was the third time in their last four home games that Bielsa’s team had snatched points in added time.
An emotionally fraught Bamford, whose goal threat was sorely missed during his 11-game absence, said: “I was rusty but always felt when I came on the pitch that I was going to get one chance. It didn’t come for ages but I thought ‘there’s time left’ and it happened. The goal was nice, especially to rescue a point because it was important that we got some form of result today.
“The noise when I scored was something special. The roof came off.”
After finishing ninth upon their Premier League return last season, Leeds have found points harder to come by this term, not helped by Bamford’s recent absence, of course. With trips to Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool looming, Bielsa’s side simply have to take points off teams such as Brentford. They do nothing the easy way, though.
Thomas Frank’s men looked set for victory after second-half goals from Shandon Baptiste and Sergio Canos overturned Tyler Roberts’ 27th-minute opener.
Roberts found the net when he diverted Raphinha’s intricate left-wing cross into the net, but Leeds lost captain Liam Cooper to injury and appeared disjointed at times.
Luke Ayling, back in the side after more than two months out, almost doubled their advantage moments early in the second, though, as Alvaro Fernandez made a smart save to keep out the defender’s header.
Kalvin Phillips was then forced off through injury as Brentford, who were without Ivan Toney due to Covid, took control to turn the game on its head. They equalised in the 54th minute when Baptiste latched onto Canos’ deflected cross and swept a fine left-foot shot past Meslier from the edge of the 18-yard box.
That poured confidence into the visitors and Canos expertly fired them ahead in the 61st minute, combining with Bryan Mbeumo before lashing home into the roof of the net. Canos’ celebrations incurred the wrath of the Leeds fans and he was struck by a plastic bottle thrown, which is likely to incur a charge from the Football Association.
Brentford buoyed a commanding performance from captain and ex-Leeds cult hero Pontus Jansson, looked set to hold on for victory. Yet Bielsa, as has been shown throughout his three-and-a-half year reign, has fashioned a side who fight to the death. To the very death.
Bamford was on hand to find the net with his knee after Ayling flicked on Raphinha’s corner. Frank, while bitterly disappointed to concede so late in the game, said: “It was a top performance.”
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3IzsZFB
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