Leeds 2-1 Sheffield United: Player ratings as Phil Jagielka own goal hands Whites win

03 April 2021 07:05

Leeds moved into the top half of the Premier League table with a 2-1 win over Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.

The home side took the lead with just 12 minutes on the clock as Raphinha carved open the Blades backline with an incisive run, before selflessly picking out Jack Harrison at the back-post who made no mistake in tapping home.

Leeds dominated the majority of the first half but on the stroke of half-time Sheffield United bagged an unlikely equaliser. Kalvin Phillips did well initially to block Oli McBurnie's goal-bound effort, but the ball deflected to the feet of Ben Osborn who restored parity for his side from close range.

Marcelo Bielsa's men restored their lead early in the second half as Phil Jagielka desperately tried to block Harrison's teasing cross only to divert the ball into his own goal.

Sheffield United gave it their all in a bid to grab a point but they never really looked like threatening Meslier's goal again as Leeds notched back-to-back league wins for just the second time this calendar year.

That's the match highlights out of the way, now to those all important Leeds and Sheffield United player ratings.

Leeds ratings

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Illan Meslier started in goal for Leeds | Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Illan Meslier (GK) - 6/10 - Absolutely nothing he could do about the Blades' equaliser. Showed good handling but really wasn't given much to do.

Luke Ayling (RB) - 7/10 - Must have produced at least three or four superb last-ditch challenges to curtail Sheffield United attacks. His usual ball of energy going forward.

Diego Llorente (CB) - 7/10 - The kind of no-nonsense display you don't see too often in the Premier League anymore. Took no prisoners whenever he went to ground and was happy to step into the wide areas to cover his full-backs.

Liam Cooper (CB) - 7/10 - Tasked with keeping McBurnie quiet and he was kept on his toes all afternoon. Looked to enjoy the physical challenge the Scotsman offered and won his fair share of aerial duels.

Ezgjan Alisoki (LB) - 6/10 - Offered width on the Leeds left and continued to flood forward in a bid to aid the attack. Some lazy distribution but a decent performance nonetheless.

2. Midfielders

Kalvin Phillips was back in the Leeds team after his international exploits in recent weeks | Stu Forster/Getty Images

Kalvin Phillips (DM) - 7/10 - Controlled the game from a deep-lying midfield position, regaining possession for his side on a number of occasions and helping to launch attacks.

Stuart Dallas (CM) - 6/10 - The quietest of the Leeds midfield. Didn't do anything wrong but never looked like really having an impact on the game.

Tyler Roberts (CM) - 8/10 - A very good all-round display. Pushed further up the field when Leeds were in possession and looked dangerous on the ball, while he didn't neglect his defensive duties when the away side surged forward.

3. Forwards

Patrick Bamford led the line for the home side | Naomi Baker/Getty Images

Raphinha (RW) - 7/10 - Superb run to cut through the Blades defence and lay it on a plate for Harrison to open the scoring. Caught in possession a couple of times in his own half which invited pressure, but going forward he looked excellent.

Patrick Bamford (ST) - 6/10 - Did a lot of selfless running off the ball to open up space for his frontline partners to weave their magic. Struggled to impact the game whenever he had the ball at his feet and looked unhappy to be withdrawn.

Jack Harrison (LM) - 8/10 - Grabbed his seventh Premier League goal of the season to put Leeds ahead. Was a threat all afternoon and could easily have got himself a hat-trick were it not for some good goalkeeping.

4. Substitutes

Rodrigo (ST) - 6/10

Mateusz Klich (CM) - N/A

Robin Koch (CM) - N/A

Sheffield United ratings

5. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale makes a superb save to deny Jack Harrison | Pool/Getty Images

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) - 8/10 - Did brilliantly to spread himself and stop Harrison from doubling his tally for the afternoon before pulling off an even better save against Patrick Bamford. Leeds could haver scored four or five if it wasn't for him.

George Baldock (CB) - 6/10 - Picked up a knock early in the game and attempted to carry on but was eventually withdrawn shortly before half-time.

Enda Stevens (CB) - 5/10 - Struggled to cope with the runs of Bamford and found himself chasing shadows at times.

Phil Jagielka (CB) - 6/10 - Really can't be blamed for putting through his own net as Raphinha was waiting behind him to tap home if he'd let the cross go any further.

6. Wing-backs & Midfielders

Jayden Bogle challenges Ezgjan Alioski | Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Jayden Bogle (RWB) - 5/10 - Tried to drag his team up the pitch but it proved to be a tall order and he was ultimately just caught out of position too often.

John Lundstram (CM) - 4/10 - Sloppy in possession all afternoon and it was something the home side soon picked up on as they looked to pressure him whenever he had the ball at his feet.

Oliver Norwood (CM) - 5/10 - Neat and tidy but just didn't show any urgency with Sheffield United looking to chase the game in the second half. Withdrawn with 25 minutes to play.

John Fleck (CM) - 6/10 - The most advanced of the Blades midfield three. Showed a willingness to link up play with the frontline but whenever he found himself in the final third there was very little quality.

Ben Osborn (LWB) - 5/10 - Couldn't contain Raphinha at all and found himself tripping over his own feet like a Sunday League player fresh from a kebab and a two-hour nap.

7. Forwards

David McGoldrick sprints away from Kalvin Phillips | Pool/Getty Images

Oli McBurnie (ST) - 6/10 - Handed the unenviable task of pretty much leading the line by himself but he did a decent job of it. Threw himself about and showed some good touches.

David McGoldrick (ST) - 5/10 - Looked to drop into pockets of space and cause problems but was often crowded out by the Leeds backline.

8. Substitutes

Ethan Ampadu (CB) - 7/10 - Introduced in the first half and produced a number of timely challenges to prevent Leeds extending their lead.

Oliver Burke (RW) - 6/10

Rhian Brewster (ST) - 5/10

John Egan (CB) - 6/10

Source: 90min