Leeds United pulled off one of the most remarkable comebacks of the Marcelo Bielsa era on Boxing Day in 2018 as Kemar Roofe came to the rescue against Blackburn.
Marcelo Bielsa would eventually succeed in steering Leeds to promotion, but his first season with the club ended in a near miss, as his side fell in the play-offs.
However, Leeds appeared to be showing the mark of a champion side during the Christmas period, as they pulled off two remarkable Championship comebacks in succession.
Kemar Roofe was the hero as Leeds pulled off a smash-and-grab against Aston Villa, with the forward scoring in the 95th minute to claim all three points in a 3-2 win.
He then repeated the trick the following week, as Leeds claimed a dramatic victory at Elland Road in a win over Blackburn Rovers.
What is your favourite memory of the Marcelo Bielsa era? Let us know in the comments 🙌
Kemar Roofe shines in dramatic 2018 Leeds United win
Leeds looked set for a routine victory in the first half of their meeting with Blackburn on Boxing Day in 2018, as a Derrick Williams own goal saw the Whites go into the break 1-0 up, and on top in the game.
However, although Leeds secured the victory in the end, the Elland Road crowd endured a heartstopping ride along the way.
Having pulled Blackburn level just after half-time, Charlie Mulgrew looked to have spoiled the festive period for Leeds when his penalty put the visitors 2-1 up in the last minute of normal time.
But Roofe had other ideas, as he turned a dramatic game on its head for the second week in succession. His first goal came just one minute after Blackburn had taken the lead, as he fired home after Pablo Hernandez saw his shot saved on the line.
Leeds legend Hernandez was the provider three minutes later as Roofe scored the game’s decisive goal after 94 minutes. Blackburn failed to clear a free-kick from Barry Douglas, and Leeds worked the ball out to the man known as El Mago, who provided a perfect cross for Roofe to head home.
This sparked fevered celebrations from the Elland Road crowd, as Pontus Jansson ran down the touchline in ecstasy. Bielsa’s reign was defined by dramatic moments, and this was among the best.
Marcelo Bielsa hails ‘moving’ Leeds United victory
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, the Leeds manager praised his side for claiming a second comeback victory in quick succession, after his side also pulled off a stunning comeback against Aston Villa.
According to Bielsa, the victory offered a reminder of why “nothing compares to football”, describing the experience as “moving”.
Bielsa said: “It was moving for all of us. Football can give these emotions. That is why nothing compares to football.
Which former Leeds player would you have back, if you could pick one? Raphinha surely has to be up there💎
We deserved to win, but it should have been easier. We had the obligation to win, which was not the case at Aston Villa.
“There was a lot of unnecessary stress to win the game. We changed the destiny of the game late on, we deserved to win the game, but in another way.”
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