Leeds United 3 Blackpool 1: Redfearn joy after Whites end run

Goals in a relentless attacking performance in the first half from Liam Cooper – his first for the club - Souleymane Doukara, who netted a sublime team goal, and Mirco Antenucci saw the hosts 3-0 up at the interval.

Sub Nile Ranger pulled one back in a low-key first-half, but it was Leeds’ day as they claimed a vital three points.

“I thought we were excellent in the first half, some of the movement and the passing was different class,” Redfearn said.

“That was as good as I’ve seen them play. It could have been anything. It wasn’t just the pressure, it was good football culminating in three goals.

“The second half was a damp squib, but the result was the main thing and that came off the back of a good first half.

“It was a good, important win and I thought we earned it. We never gave Blackpool a chance to settle, the start was excellent and for the first 10 minutes we were like a whirlwind.”

Leeds’ second and third goals arrived via some quick, one-touch passing, with Doukara’s goal - a length-of-the-field team move - a particular highlight.

“We have got footballers and there is no point in us lumping it up the pitch,” Redfearn said of the attitude he is trying to impart on his players.

“We have to pass it and play and the more they do that, the more they will pick results up. We scored a fantastic goal.”

Blackpool may be ten points adrift of safety, but Lee Clark drew solace from a more presentable second-half following the first period when they were never at the races.

The Geordie said: “When you’re three goals down at half-time, it’s hard for any players, but to give the players credit we were better in the second half.

“We got them in at half-time, got them regrouped and they did things better. It was too little, too late, but we did the dirty side of the game better, we competed and didn’t allow Leeds to dictate the pace of the game.

“We had allowed them to find space in behind us, getting shots and crosses in; we were having to make saves from the first minute.

“My assessment is we need some consistency, know-how and to build a little run of points whether that’s draws, wins; we can’t be playing well one day and not the next.

“There are lots of points there, Bolton have shown that and that’s what we need to do.”

ends