Alioski's impact, more late drama, Roberts injury update and back on top - Leeds United talking points

An industrious evening - boosted by Bielsa's substitutions

Leeds weren't at their free-flowing best at the Madejski but for a second game running dug out a result.

It was mid-November last year when Bielsa announced his promotion intentions with a seven-game winning streak, fast forward a year and his team are on a run of four.

There were misplaced passes, heavy touches, sloppy play and a lack of pace or width in the side for much of the evening.

Two shots on target from 16 attempts told the story of the night, that was until three minutes from time.

Helder Costa stepped off the bench in the first half for the injured Tyler Roberts, but it was Gjanni Alioski who appeared to make the difference as his directness and pace helped Leeds earn their winner.

The North Macedonian replaced replaced Mateusz Klich in the 66th minute and it was the spark the Whites needed as he fed in Costa on the right following a devastating break away that allowed Jack Harrison to net the winner.

It's a squad game, and Leeds will need more of that impact from the bench in the coming months.

More late drama...

For a second successive game it was the late, late show.

Patrick Bamford's bagged in the 90th minute at Luton Town on Saturday afternoon, with Harrison's header in Berkshire coming just three minutes from time.

Bielsa called it a maturity, but there has to be a tip of the cap for the fitness of his side as they broke at deadly pace as if it were the first few minutes of the match.

Sticking to the game plan has to be admired, no matter how much it raises the heart rate of the fan base.

"It’s a signal of maturity and experience of the team," Bielsa reflected.

"The player who managed the ball, White, Cooper, Phillips and Pablo, but in the centre of the pitch they managed the ball.

"They know how to manage the ball, how to move the ball to try to attack so that we can keep the idea on the way to attack."

Tyler Roberts wait

Not another one...

Tyler Roberts has had some rotten luck with injuries since joining the club, and lasted a little over half an hour on Tuesday night.

The playmaker is believed to have tweaked his hamstring, with United hopeful his substitution was nothing more than a precaution.

Roberts has had a major impact on proceedings since his return to the starting line-up after he missed the opening months of the campaign and has give Leeds craft and skill in abundence playing just behind striker Bamford.

Bielsa was upbeat about the issue afterwards and with a busy festive period looming the last thing Leeds need is another player in the treatment room alongside Adam Forshaw and Eddie Nketiah.

"He felt something in some muscle," Bielsa said.

"He wanted to continue in the match, but we thought that was a little bit risky and we prefer to substitute him."

Over to you, Albion...

With the late goal United hit top spot in the Championship.

Bielsa's side made it four wins in a row and seven unbeaten in league action as they leapfrogged West Brom into first place.

Their lead over the Baggies is just one point ahead of their game against Bristol City this evening, though perhaps more importantly the cushion back to Fulham in third is five points.