'We hung onto the result' - Marcelo Bielsa on Leeds United's difficulties and their bravery in win over Burnley

The Whites took the lead with a disputed early penalty, converted by Patrick Bamford, and were better in the first half than the second, when the visitors pressed and pressured them right to the final whistle.

“In the first half we defended very well," said Bielsa after the 1-0 win.

"This was helped by the fact we finished our attacks in the opposing half. In the second half we had to defend closer to our own goal. It was difficult for us to solve some duels in the second half, linked to the duels especially in the last part of the game. It was an energetic and valiant effort from the guys and very decisive."

Burnley's second half dominance translated to a number of chances and a late succession of corners, for which goalkeeper Nick Pope joined the attack, but no equaliser.

Bielsa explained that Leeds' difficulty in attacking stemmed from Burnley imposing their will on the home side and left Leeds having to defend for their lives.

"We hung onto the result, we probably took less risks near our own box, it was difficult for us to take them into their own half and these things were chained together, one provoked the other," he said.

"When the opponent finishes its attacks in our own box, not only is it more difficult to defend. It meant also we never found them disorganised when we had the ball. In that way it was more difficult for us to dominate the second half.

"The version of the game in the final part of the second half and perhaps in the whole second half, it was the game they wanted to play. We weren't able to stop them from playing the way they wanted, we weren't able to neutralise them. Although we defended fiercely, the opponent had chances to score. It was very difficult for us to position ourselves in their half."

Bielsa was without captain Liam Cooper and Diego Llorente, who suffered an injury set-back in midweek, and went with a back three of Luke Ayling, Pascal Struijk and Kalvin Phillips, who shone in a role he hadn't had to take for much more than 15 minutes in the Premier League prior to this game.

"Phillips is a player who has a lot of capacity to adapt to playing in different positions on the pitch," said the head coach.

"At times where he has had to play as a centre-back in a back three, every time he has had good responses and played with good authority. Today as well."

The game's big talking points were the penalty award for Pope's challenge on Bamford, a decision from referee Rob Jones that Burnley disputed, and the awarding of a free-kick to Illan Meslier when the keeper came through the back of Ben Mee and dropped the ball. Jones blew his whistle as Ashley Barnes crashed the loose ball into the Leeds net and Burnley were incensed.

Bielsa had not been able to analyse the incident before speaking to the press, he said.

"I sincerely haven't formed an opinion as I haven't been able to watch the action back," he said.

"It wouldn't be correct to have an opinion without having certainty."