Leeds United 1 Las Palmas 0: Roofe strikes late as Whites sign off with victory

LEEDS UNITED signed off from pre-season with a 1-0 victory against Spanish visitors Las Palmas thanks to a late Kemar Roofe winner.
Head coach Marcelo Bielsa.Head coach Marcelo Bielsa.
Head coach Marcelo Bielsa.

Leeds created only one major opening in the first half when a fine cross from Luke Ayling on the right flank reached a stretched Roofe who put the ball just wide.

At the other end, United's defence coped well with all that Las Palmas had to throw at them but United were guilty of conceding too many free kicks with Kalvin Phillips booked for a late challenge.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And it was from two free kicks that Las Palmas almost twice scored with Fidel incredibly twice hitting the crossbar with stunning efforts from similar positions around 25 yards out.

Both free-kicks hit the bar before bouncing over with Bailey Peacock-Farrell beaten as Leeds survived.

Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa then brought on Mateusz Klich and Lewis Baker for Ronaldo Vieira and Samu Saiz during the half-time break and both players had a positive impact.

Klich in particular looked assured and composed playing in front of the back three and began a good move that ended with Las Palmas scrambling the ball clear.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In truth, chances were few and far between aside from a Pablo Hernandez free-kick that was punched wide by 'keeper Raul Fernandez.

Leeds also saw claims for a penalty waved away for what looked like a handball.

With United looking assured at the back, the game looked destined to end in a goalless draw.

But with just four minutes remaining, Leeds bagged the only goal of the game when a Roofe cross was hacked away for a corner taken by Hernandez.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Spaniard floated in a fine delivery with which was nodded on by Phillips to fall at the far post for Roofe who twisted and turned before firing home from close range.

Leeds United: Peacock-Farrell, Ayling, Cooper, Berardi, Dallas, Phillips, Vieira (Klich 45), Saiz (Baker 45, Shanckleton 88), Alioski (Roberts 64), Hernandez, Roofe. Subs not used: Huffer, Blackman, Pearce.

Las Palmas: Fernandez, Garcia, Castro, Mir, Araujo, Lemos, Fidel, J. Castellano, Cala, D. Castellano, Fabio. Subs: Perez, Gomez, Momo, Deivid, Benito, Tana, Espiau, Suarez, Josep, Curbelo, Exposito, Josemi, Parras.

Referee: Andy Madley.

Attendance: 11,449.