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By @ImoLeeds
A dramatic afternoon at Elland Road saw Leeds United bounce back from defeat in style by beating Millwall 3-2.
Pablo Hernandez was at the double for the Whites and he scored either side of a Luke Ayling header as Leeds showed grit and determination to come back from behind twice ensure that the fate of their season now remains in their hands.
United leapfrog Sheffield United into second place and go two points clear of their Yorkshire rivals heading into the last seven games of the season.
Bielsa was forced into making one change to the side that lost to Sheffield United before the international break. Goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell made his first start since January replacing the suspended Kiko Casilla. Midfielder Adam Forshaw returned to the bench after coming back from injury, while defender Pontus Jansson was deemed fit to start.
Millwall flew out of the traps and started the game on the front foot. Ben Marshall came close after Jed Wallace's low cross from the right found him in the box, but his shot was blocked by Jansson.
The away side then managed to fashion out another opportunity when Ben Thompson slipped the ball through to Wallace and, after a powerful run, his attempt was tipped wide by Peacock-Farrell in the Leeds goal.
The away side managed to capitalise on their early dominance and take the lead. A lofted cross field ball from left to right by Wallace looked to be heading out of play but Mahlon Romeo managed to swing the ball into the penalty area and towards Thompson, whos bullet header whizzed into the back of the net.
Leeds’ first meaningful attack of the game resulted in a superb opportunity to get back on level terms as they were awarded a penalty after Alioski was brought down by Wallace. Bamford, who had converted his only penalty for Leeds this season against Bolton, was given the responsibility but he struck the ball down the middle and it was saved by the legs of Martin.
But even after the dejection of the penalty miss, Leeds spurred on and Jack Harrison was slipped through superbly by Hernandez, however he could only fire straight at Martin and another golden opportunity went begging.
Leeds kept knocking at the Millwall door and finally found an equaliser through a goal which epitomises Bielsa’s philosophy perfectly. A free-flowing move which started with Alioski ended with Luke Ayling's cut back from the right finding Pablo Hernandez, who placed his effort into the bottom left hand corner of the goal. 1-1 at half time.
At the break, Barry Douglas replaced Alioski at left back with reports that it was a potential fitness problem, however Millwall were attacking well down Leeds’ left so the decision could have been tactical.
The home side started the second half as they finished the first by dominating in possession and winning a succession of corners, but a clear opening could not be created. Tyler Roberts connected sweetly with a volley outside the penalty area, but it curled wide.
However, after one breakaway, Millwall got themselves a penalty after Liam Cooper brought down Marshall in the box. And the man who won the spot kick converted it; sending Peacock-Farrell the wrong way.
Hernandez then had a couple of efforts to grab an instant equaliser. The first saw a deflected shot bobble just wide of the post and the second was stopped comfortably by Martin.
After persistent pressure Leeds got themselves level again, through the unlikely source of Luke Ayling. It looked like the Leeds attack had petered out when Douglas had taken the last touch and the ball seemed to be rolling out for a goal kick. But excellent work from Harrison saw him tee up Douglas who swung in a pin point cross and Ayling headed home his second goal for Leeds and Leeds’ second of the game.
Substitute Adam Forshaw then tried to find his first Leeds goal and ultimately the winner in the game, but his venomous strike was tipped round the post intelligently by Martin.
A fifth goal in the game was inevitable and it fell the way, deservedly, of the home side. Tyler Roberts’ cut back from the left was swept home by Hernandez for his second of the game. Que pandemonium in the home end.
There were five minutes of stoppage time but Millwall couldn’t find a clear cut chance to cause any last minute nerves for the Leeds faithful and the Whites hung on to end the weekend in the automatic promotion places.
Match Information
Leeds United vs Millwall
Sky Bet Championship
15:00 Saturday 30th March 2019
Elland Road - Att. 34,910
Leeds United (4-1-4-1): Peacock-Farrell, Alioski (Douglas 45'), Cooper, Jansson (Clarke 67'), Ayling, Philips, Harrison, Klich (Forshaw 75'), Roberts, Hernandez, Bamford
Millwall (4-4-1-1): Martin, Romeo, Pearce, Cooper, Meredith (O'Brien 84'), Wallace, Tunnicliffe (Morison 86'), Leonard, Marshall, Thompson (Elliot 87'), Gregory
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