West Brom 0-5 Leeds United - Marcelo Bielsa's good day is Sam Allardyce's bad one, Gjanni Alioski's turning point and the magic number

A 5-0 win away from home put them on 23 points, just three behind Chelsea, and brought their goal difference back to zero. Here's what it meant and why it happened.

Good day

Marcelo Bielsa

Having taken a lot of flak and what he felt was ridicule following the Manchester United game, Bielsa got the better of two pragmatists in the space of three days with two contrasting perfromances and six hugely important points. Defending resolutely to beat Burnley and attacking relentlessly to batter West Brom, Bielsa has masterminded the perfect response to the Old Trafford defeat and Leeds will end the year on a high. It was the man with the ultra defensive and what some might see as 'safe' tactics on the end of a frightful beating and the man recently accused of naivety who dished it out with his ultra attacking style. Bielsa was in good form after the game and righly waxing lyrical about a number of his players, which suggests it was a night he enjoyed. What was most enjoyable perhaps about Bielsa's output during the evening, though, was his cries of 'again' as Leeds went looking for a sixth. There is never any let up and it makes for good football matches. He will always hand the praise to the players but he deserves so much credit. To convince anyone to have faith in his beliefs, he first has to have full faith in them. Leeds' belief comes from him.

Bad day

Sam Allardyce

Not long in the job, staring at Premier League table that suggests a tough, tough task, Allardyce could have done without a five-goal walloping at home. His side gifted Leeds an opener, Romaine Sawyers' bizarre own goal making life harder for West Brom, but by refusing or failing to put any pressure on the ball they allowed the visitors to pass it around their five-man midfield. At 4-0 down by half-time, there was headscratching in the press box as to what Big Sam would respond with, but a 4-5-1 simply became a 5-4-1. It appeared to be a damage limitation exercise and given they only conceded once more, perhaps that was job done. You might ask what message that sent to the players, particularly the attackers in the Baggies' squad who presumably wanted to get at Leeds. There was no endeavour from the home side, no real forward intent and they got what they deserved in the end. Allardyce has a nightmarish scrap on his hands.

Turning point

Alioski's thunderbolt

Scoring early suits Leeds, undoubtedly, so Romaine Sawyers' disaster in the opening 10 minutes was helpful. But it changed little about the way West Brom were playing. Gjanni Alioski's goal, when it arrived just after the half hour mark, put Leeds in full command of both the game and the scoreline. It was impossible to see a way back for the Baggies and it encouraged Leeds to get at them even more. Two more goals followed soon after and that was that. What a strike it was from Alioski, too. Hit on the run, so sweetly and viciously, in off the post. Sam Johnstone has made more saves than anyone in the Premier League this season but two Sam Johnstones wouldn't have stopped that one.

Number of the day

75

Leeds United went into half-time having enjoyed 70 per cent of the possession. They increased it in the second half. This was a demolition job and the Whites, in burgundy, were in full control. West Brom were bad, but Leeds were very good. Even against an opponent who showed so little spark or fight, Leeds worked themselves to the bone. Jack Harrison looked out on his feet after 25 minutes yet somehow recovered to continue putting in the sprints. With the game dead and buried, Leeds refused to let up and sought even more control, ran even more, put together even more attacks. It was vintage Bielsa. And this is why Leeds continued to attack against Manchester United, when it looked folly to outsiders. This is what can happen. This is what is possible. Sometimes you do get out what you put in.