Slaven Bilic reflects on 'privilege' of Marcelo Bielsa company following Leeds United draw for West Brom

The Baggies and Whites have opened up clear daylight in the automatic promotion places with both teams now nine points clear of third after Wednesday evening's draw.

Bilic and Bielsa were seen in a long embrace and in conversation following the full-time whistle and Bilic was full of praise for United's head coach.

"I rate myself and I am a confident guy," said Baggies boss Bilic. "But Bielsa is Bielsa.

"It’a privilege to compete with him and to talk football with him, especially when you feel it’s a two-way thing.

"He’s an unbelievable guy. It’s great to have him in the league."

Reflecting on his side's draw, Bilic said: "It was a fair result. Very fair. Both teams had chances.

"We had more chances, but if we count they had more possession, we had more shots, more chances. "But the result is very fair.

"It could have been different if we score the second before half-time. It was a great chance. Matty (Phillips) had time. It was all there to score, but praise the goalkeeper.

"If we score that it becomes much harder for them.

"There's enough time, but you became nervous when you have to score two or three to win the game. "They had possession, but most of it was where we wanted them to have it.

"Both teams should use this to know mentally ‘yes, we are good We coped with the best.'"