Sheff Utd 0 Leeds 1: Last-gasp Patrick Bamford strike sees Bielsa’s men continue hot start in Yorkshire battle
PATRICK BAMFORD headed home an 88th-minute winner in front of England boss Gareth Southgate to make it three goals from three.
Heading for a goalless draw, it was the battle of the keepers as Aaron Ramsdale and Illan Meslier pulled off save after save.
But just as Ramsdale thought his job was done, Bamford latched onto Jack Harrison’s cross to make it back-to-back wins for Leeds.
And by doing so, he became the first player in the club’s history to score in his first three-top flight games for the club.
With just one goal in his 27 Premier League appearances before the season, many thought Marcelo Bielsa was crazy for sticking with Bamford as his main man.
He bagged 16 as Leeds cruised to the Championship – but considering the chances that came his way, it was a modest return.
But Bamford, 27, is a man reborn, playing with the swagger of someone who knows they belong at the top.
While his all-round game at Bramall Lane was decent, chances were few and far between.
The attempts were racking up for his team-mates, but Ramsdale was on hand time and again to keep it goalless.
But the hopeful England stopper could only watch on as Bamford’s header crept just inside the post to send the Leeds bench wild.
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For Sheffield United, it is now three defeats on the spin – and they have failed to score a single goal yet this season.
With John Egan suspended, Chris Wilder was rocked before kick off with news that fellow defensive stalwart Jack O’Connell is potentially out for the season with a knee injury.
Ethan Ampadu came in at the back for his first start, with Jack Robinson replacing O’Connell.
And without a baying Bramall Lane spurring them on, the visitors started brighter and Luke Ayling forced Aaron Ramsdale into a smart stop from 20-yards.
With no blood and thunder in the stands it was left to Leeds-born Kalvin Phillips to set the tone – clattering into David McGoldrick after five minutes.
Ref Paul Tierney played advantage and it opened up for John Lundstram, but he scuffed wide on his left foot.
Leeds bossed possession, but the hosts had the better first-half chances – with Lundstram incredibly denied by Meslier.
Ben Osborn’s cross from the left was beautifully played into the midfielder’s path by a cute flick from David McGoldrick.
But unmarked 10-yards out, with the goal gaping, his effort was somehow beaten away by the 20-year-old Frenchman.
And Meslier, who joined the Whites from Lorient last summer, was up to it again minutes later to deny George Baldock’s stinger from just inside the box.
Bielsa’s side had their moments though, with Bamford missing the target with a couple of headers.
And their best chance fell to Stuart Dallas after a slick build up on the edge of the area.
The Northern Ireland international got it back form Jack Harrison and his toe-poke was heading into the top corner before Ramsdale sprung to beat it away.
And the former Bournemouth stopper was called into action again just after the break, firstly getting down low to block Helder Costa’s sweetly-struck volley.
Next up was Bamford, getting a yard inside the box for the first time – but with the angle against him he could only shoot straight at Ramsdale.
With Rodrigo on for Tyler Roberts at the break, Bielsa’s boys picked up the tempo and looked closer and closer to breaking the deadlock.
But just when they found a way past Ramsdale, Chris Basham was on hand to save the day.
Dallas latched onto a long ball over the top and rounded the keeper, but his shot was weak, allowing the defender to race back and clear away.
The Blades were creaking, and a Leeds goal just looked a matter of time.
Wilder responded by replacing Oliver Burke and McGoldrick with Billy Sharp and Oli McBurnie with 15 minutes to go.
Jack Robinson missed a great chance from a corner, nodding wide after McBurnie missed it.
But it was one-way traffic as the game wound down, with Leeds finally getting their goal in the 88th minute.
The ever-dangerous Harrison swung in a peach of a ball from the left, with Bamford deftly drifting in behind Robinson.
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Unmarked six-yards out, Bamford hardly got ideal contact as he headed it down into the ground.
And it took an age to reach the goal, but with Ramsdale rooted to the spot it snuck inside the post to send the Leeds bench potty.