Spotlight on Tyler Roberts as first port of call in Leeds United's defeat to Everton and Marcelo Bielsa's attacking options

Whites head coach Bielsa resisted any temptation to make any changes during the half-time interval of Wednesday night's Premier League clash at Elland Road, despite Leeds being 2-0 down.

But Roberts was the first player brought off the bench which in itself spoke volumes as the Wales international forward joined the fray in the 69th minute at Mateusz Klich's expense.

Klich had effectively been playing as a no 10 and Roberts went into the same advanced role behind lone striker Patrick Bamford and soon began looking for the ball.

The 22-year-old just failed to connect to a Stuart Dallas flick from a long throw in the 70th minute and then bagged himself a few touches on the right and then in the middle as Leeds attacked two minutes later.

Through his work in the centre of the field, Roberts helped start the move that led to Bamford's header dropping on to the crossbar.

From another attack, Roberts and Gjanni Alioski got their wires crossed but Roberts continued to get himself involved and won a free-kick in a dangerous position to the left hand side of the box after a strong run in the 85th minute.

Good footwork in the Everton area then set up a chance for Luke Ayling in added time but Ayling's thumping shot was blocked.

Yet Roberts himself was presented with United's final chance in the 95th minute when set up by Bamford's cross with space and time just inside the box only to volley an errant effort over the bar.

That was that and Roberts' frustration was obvious as he put his head in his hands and the full-time whistle was blown soon after.

In just over 20 minutes on the pitch, Roberts managed 19 touches and nine of his 14 attempted passes were accurate for a passing success rate of 64 per cent.

His only attempted dribble was successful and the Wales international also attempted three tackles, one of which was won.

His one shot at goal then came in the very last minute but ultimately blazed over the crossbar.

From an attacking point of view, Bielsa was without record signing Rodrigo through injury.

Pablo Hernandez then followed Roberts off the bench in replacing Gjanni Alioski nine minutes after the first change.

Helder Costa then proved Bielsa's final throw of the dice when coming on for Jack Harrison with three minutes left.

That left Niall Huggins, Jack Jenkins, Jamie Shackleton, Charlie Cresswell and Leif Davis in addition to Kiko Casilla as the unused substitutes whilst star Academy forwards Sam Greenwood and Joe Gelhardt were not involved.

Both are still awaiting their first place on the bench for a league game.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-1-2-everton-graham-smyths-player-ratings-whites-come-agonisingly-close-against-toffees-3123348

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