'Calm' before Manchester United, VAR puzzler, Helder Costa's omission and Jack Harrison's response - Leeds United Talking Points

'Back on track' and Whites calm before Old Trafford

Leeds were never really off track in the grand scheme of things - not as a newly-promoted side when what matters first and foremost is staying up.

Even in spite of picking up just four points from a last possible 18, United approached Wednesday night's clash sitting 14th and still six points clear of the dropzone.

But Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa admitted that his side had endured a negative cycle of results over the last six games and that he was aware of the consequences of such form.

All things considered, the Magpies contest felt like a big game, a big chance for United to bounce back and Leeds not only did that but with a superb performance, scoring five for the first time since the 5-0 romp at home to Stoke City back in the Championship last July and with five different scorers.

United already look to have well and truly established themselves as a Premier League side since with some fantastic performances back in the country's top division but the recent run was a reminder of just how tough life can be back amongst the nation's elite.

Yet Bielsa's way if plan A fails is to make plan A better and the Magpies display was a perfect reminder of exactly what Leeds are capable of when everything falls into place.

Wednesday's success actually only moved United up one place in the table but the victory was far more significant than that in terms of a huge confidence booster or to add calm as Bielsa put it after what was his 114th game in charge, his most for any club.

The triumph also put the Whites eight points clear of the dropzone, and, in a real sign of the times, three ahead of Arsenal on the same amount of games.

Probably the most eagerly-awaited game of the season away at arch rivals Manchester United is next on Sunday afternoon with Wednesday night's game being the calm before the storm perhaps in terms of the magnitude of the fixture.

Leeds will have an extra day to prepare with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's ninth-placed side away at rock bottom Sheffield United on Thursday night.

For what it's worth, the Whites are now as big as 22-1 to go down and only 9-5 for a top-half finish.

Again, all that matters for Leeds is staying up but Wednesday's performance was proof yet again that United are capable of achieving far more than that.

Latest set piece concession and VAR debate

There were two main questions about events in United's defence after Wednesday's blitz with one concerning whether Newcastle should have had a penalty and the other surrounding another goal conceded from a set piece.

The answer to the first question is probably yes as skipper Liam Cooper looked to have gone through the back of Callum Wilson with his challenge in the second half and it's a surprise that VAR thought otherwise though essentially when it comes to VAR nothing should surprise.

Still, whilst clearly unhappy with the decision, even Magpies boss Steve Bruce admitted Leeds might well have still gone on to win the game.

Of more concern was the fact that United took their tally of goals conceded from set pieces this season to eight meaning they still have the worst record of the division.

Luke Ayling was this time beaten to the ball by Ciaran Clark but rest assured Bielsa will be working hard to ensure the pattern of leaking goals at free-kicks and corners stops.

Ayling is a fine player and the defending of set pieces is a problem for the team as a whole but the sooner Diego Llorente returns from injury the better and also Robin Koch longer term though after a 5-2 victory it's hard to have any complaints at all.

If Leeds can be as clinical as they were in the second half and continue to create as many chances as they did against the Magpies then even the odd problem at the other end will not seriously harm their progress though rest assured Bielsa will be looking for perfection at both ends.

Manchester United are only joint-ninth in the goals scored from set pieces table with three - the same as Leeds - but Newcastle were only joint-13th with two.

Longer term, January's visitors Southampton promise to be a real acid test of United's defending at set pieces with a Saints side featuring the craft of James Ward-Prowse top of the tree for goals from set pieces with eight.

Helder Costa's omission and Jack Harrison's rocket

Bielsa might well have been tempted to make changes after Friday night's surprisingly flat 2-1 loss at home to West Ham United but the head coach went with the same XI with the only change coming on the bench as Helder Costa missed out altogether with his place taken by Leif Davis.

Bielsa was asked if Costa was injured in his post-match press conference and admitted there was no injury with the Whites bench instead consisting of Davis, Kiko Casilla, Pascal Struijk and Jamie Shackleton in addition to three attacking options in Pablo Hernandez, Ian Poveda and Tyler Roberts.

Jack Harrison, Raphinha and Rodrigo were given the nod behind Patrick Bamford and after a run of frustrating games, Harrison responded by producing a superb performance on the left flank capped by a simply stunning strike with two minutes left.

Raphinha, meanwhile, again looked a bargain even at £17m on the opposite wing whilst Rodrigo also had a strong game in the no 10 role and Bamford again worked hard upfront as part of another solid display from the Whites no 9.

With Leeds 3-2 up, Bielsa then brought on both Hernandez and Roberts for Rodrigo and Bamford respectively in the final ten minutes.

Hernandez has had a bit of a rough time of late with his reaction to being taken off in the 4-1 loss at home to Leicester City followed by a muscular injury which has kept him out of late.

But the 35-year-old Spaniard looked in rude health for United's under-23s on Sunday and made a huge impression with two assists in just eight minutes against the Magpies.

You cannot realistically see Bielsa making any changes for the trip to Old Trafford - why would you after a display like that - but Hernandez is back knocking firmly on the door though really the star of the show was Harrison.

Rather like Leeds, he looks to be back with a very big bang.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-5-newcastle-united-2-graham-smyths-player-ratings-whites-blitz-magpies-3070863

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/gary-lineker-makes-leeds-united-declaration-after-five-star-newcastle-united-showing-3070873

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

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Thank you Laura Collins