Illan Meslier sets Premier League record, Raphinha dazzles and Helder Costa's impact - Leeds United talking points

Marcelo Bielsa saw his side lift themselves into the top half of the Premier League table with three points against the Saints.

Goals from Patrick Bamford, Stuart Dallas and a stunning free-kick from Raphinha were enough for the Whites on an impressive night under the lights in West Yorkshire.

Here, we look back at some of the key talking points to arise from the victory in LS11:

Illan Meslier sets Premier League record

Leeds United's number one Illan Meslier continues to impress between the posts at Elland Road during his first full season as Marcelo Bielsa's first choice goalkeeper.

The 20-year-old shot stopper became a Premier League record-holder on Tuesday night after securing his seventh clean sheet of the top flight campaign.

Meslier eclipsed former England international Joe Hart's record - which was set in the 2007/08 season - for most clean sheets for a player in the competition before his 21st birthday.

The France Under-21s international had endured a difficult time of late after a number of mistakes at Arsenal followed by the unlucky concession of an own goal at Wolves.

Meslier, though, has proved his worth despite his obvious inexperience as Leeds navigate their way through the Premier League for the first time in 16 years.

Raphinha continues to dazzle

The Brazilian winger impressed once again as he caused a major headache for Southampton throughout at Elland Road.

His dipping free-kick capped off another good night in his Whites career - and he now has three goals and three assists in his last seven games.

Time to issue a hands of warning yet?

Helder Costa's impact

"Especially today he had a performance that unbalanced [Southampton]," Bielsa said post-match.

Helder Costa has had to bide his time this season following the arrival of Raphinha, who quickly dislodged him in the starting line-up.

Leeds fans want more from the former Wolves winger - who has made little impact overall since his arrival in LS11 - but against the Saints his half-time substitution provided aid to a struggling Whites attack.

Costa was as important in attack as defence, tracking back to halt a dangerous break for the visitors before providing an assist for Stuart Dallas in a slick team move.

Jack Harrison has failed to deliver in the final third in recent weeks - so will Bielsa opt for a change against Aston Villa out wide with more production from Costa in his last few cameo appearances?

Set-pieces - for and against

United's set-piece woes in their own box continue to cause Bielsa major headaches.

Southampton defender Jannik Vestergaard should've really opened the scoring after he broke free from marker Pascal Struijk but watched on as his free header fell wide.

Leeds, though, are starting to provide a threat themselves at the opposite end of the pitch.

Struijk's goal at Arsenal - a powerful header from a corner - was followed up by a number of dangerous chances for Liam Cooper, who missed three opportunities in a row at Wolves last week.

Raphinha's delivery has provided added impetus to United's dead ball play and it is one to watch in the coming weeks.

A night of tributes

It was an emotional night at Elland Road as Leeds United's players paid tribute to 'Granny Val' post-match.

Kalvin Phillips - who was missing with a calf injury - gave a lovely message about his Grandma's influence on his upbringing after her untimely passing last week.

Raphinha also unveiled a shirt for Brazil legend Ronaldinho following the passing of his mother following a short battle with Covid-19.