Pablo Hernandez produced one of his final vintage displays for Leeds United on this day in 2020 as Marcelo Bielsa’s side dismantled Newcastle United.
Leeds United icon Pablo Hernandez is now making waves as a manager, having turned Castellon from relegation candidates into promotion contenders in the Segunda Division in Spain.
However, five years ago, he remained part of the Leeds squad that was in the process of storming up the Premier League table.
Leeds finished ninth in their first season back in the top flight under Marcelo Bielsa, but it was a bittersweet year for Hernandez, as he became an increasingly peripheral figure at Elland Road.
But the Spanish legend showed that he could still compete at the top level on this day in 2020, as the Whites took Steve Bruce’s Newcastle apart in a remarkable 5-2 victory.
Pablo Hernandez addresses a potential ‘dream’ Leeds United return
“Obviously, the clubs [Valencia and Leeds] that are so important to me would be a dream, but it is not something I am considering at the moment.
“First, I want to learn a lot, I have a lot to learn, see if this is what really fulfils me and what I like, and in the future, we will see that it holds.”
Pablo Hernandez
Pablo Hernandez starred in thrilling Leeds United victory
Although Bielsa’s first season in the Premier League is now remembered as Leeds’ recent high-water mark, the Whites did not always appear destined for a top-half finish.
Leeds came into the game against Bruce’s side in 14th place, having lost consecutive games against Chelsea and West Ham, and in need of a result to ease any creeping doubts.
A tight game was in the balance when Hernandez was introduced with 10 minutes left to play. Jeff Hendrick had given Newcastle the lead before Leeds went ahead through goals from Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo, either side of half-time.
However, Newcastle pulled level again after 65 minutes through Ciaran Clark, before Stuart Dallas gave Leeds a 3-2 lead 12 minutes later.
The introduction of Hernandez helped put the game beyond any doubt. First, he teed up Gjanni Alioski to add Leeds’ fourth, after an incisive counter-attack, led by Raphinha, saw three men in white queuing up at the back post to score.
Then the man known as El Mago picked out Jack Harrison just inside his own half, allowing the winger to drive at the Newcastle defence before firing home from long range. This would prove to be Hernandez’s final assist for Leeds, as he fell behind Raphinha in the pecking order that season.
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Pablo Hernandez matches Gordon Strachan’s achievement with Leeds United
Having been one of the leading lights at Elland Road under Bielsa in the Championship, few would have predicted that his assists in December would be his last for the club.
However, Hernandez joined an exclusive club for Leeds in the game against Newcastle, as he matched a feat last achieved by Gordon Strachan.
Would you like to see Pablo Hernandez return to Elland Road as manager one day? 🧙♂️
El Mago has opened up on the ongoing influence of El Loco, Marcelo Biel
I’ve been lucky enough to have had some truly great coaches, and if I had to pick one who has influenced me the most, it would be Bielsa.
He’s a top coach who gets the absolute best out of his teams and players. There are many things I’ve learned from him.When he arrived at Leeds, I was already in the final stages of my career and thought I knew everything there was to know about football, and he helped me take that extra step.
Pablo Hernandez speaking to Marca
Many of the things I see in football now I’ve picked up from him.
Hernandez’s two assists made him the oldest player to register two assists in a Premier League game for Leeds since Strachan did so in November 1993 against Swindon, according to the BBC.
The parallels between these two Leeds legends are obvious, with both inspiring the Whites to promotion in the autumn of their career. This record means they are inextricably linked in Leeds’ history.
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