Jeff Stelling has shared what he expected to happen when Leeds United equalised against Leicester City on Friday night after Daniel Farke’s side had been played off the park for the large majority of the game.
For much of Friday’s clash, it appeared that Leeds fans were going to be forced to reflect upon the moment Farke’s side failed to turn up in arguably the biggest game of the campaign to date.
Leicester were 1-0 up and had several chances to kill the game off. Leeds meanwhile, had rarely got close to the goal after Joel Piroe squandered a couple of early chances.
Jeff Stelling unsurprised by Leeds comeback against Leicester
But then, Connor Roberts equalised with 10 minutes remaining. It was almost as if everyone needed to pinch themselves for a second to realise that we were back on level terms and had a genuine chance to win the game.
Of course, Archie Gray would score shortly after. And Patrick Bamford would make the points safe in stoppage-time, as he got a knee on Daniel James’ free-kick.
It was a result few of us saw coming while Leicester were well on top. But speaking on talkSPORT (broadcast on 26/2; 6:16), Jeff Stelling suggested that he always felt that there would only be one winner if Leeds could level the game.
“They have Leeds in the FA Cup on Wednesday and I don’t think he can afford to lose it,” Stelling said, as he discussed Chelsea.
“By the way, what a game that is,” Ally McCoist replied.
“I take your point there, Leeds had a briliant comeback on Friday night against Leicester, what a comeback that was!
“That place is rocking as well!”
“They had been played off the park for the entire game, but equally, you knew if Leeds scored they would go on and win because the fans there are unbelievable,” Stelling added.
“The fans at Elland Road are absolutely on fire, right behind the team,” McCoist said.
Result so much more important than the performance
Obviously, the performance was not ideal in a lot of ways. On another day, Leeds could have been 4-0 down before the final 10 minutes. Having said that, had Piroe taken the opening chance of the game, that could also made it a vastly different story.
Ultimately, the result was more important than the display when the top four is so close. And Leeds can huge belief from the fact that they secured three points against the best team this season when everything looked so bleak.
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