London, December 1 (BNA) “We can breathe again,” Leeds coach Marcelo Bielsa said after Rafinha scored a penalty in stoppage time to lead his team to a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
Ravenha converted the penalty in the third minute of extra time after Leeds captain Liam Cooper’s header hit Palace defender Mark Guehy in his hand in the area.
This was a dramatic conclusion to what appeared to be another frustrating predicament for Bielsa’s side, who claimed their third Premier League win of the season, German news agency dpa reported.
“It was a relief, we can breathe again and that was very satisfying,” said Bielsa, who was visibly pleased that his players responded positively to last week’s disappointing performance in a goalless draw with Brighton.
“The team played the whole match,” he said. “It’s true, it’s essential. Either way, our team gives everything in every game.
“In this aspect, the team was very similar to the game against Leicester. Always, winning brings happiness and in a human group happiness is indispensable.”
Leeds came under increasing pressure after failing to reproduce the cheerful level he showed last season, and Bielsa revealed what he is most happy about with the victory that lifted his team by five points from the last three.
“The intensity with which the team played, the constant search for a goal, even if it was difficult to achieve,” he added. “Convergence and the joining of each team to defend together and attack together.”
The late penalty was harsh for Palace, who lost for the first time in eight league matches at home to Aston Villa on Saturday.
Patrick Vieira’s team always seemed to be able to snatch victory over the counter at Elland Road, with Jordan Ayew and Wilfried Zaha constantly threatening.
Substitute Christian Benteke rejected one of the match’s best chances with a header from Conor Gallagher to the back post and came painfully close to another stab attempt.
“It’s a tough match, really tough,” Vieira said. “I thought we were the better team tonight, we created the most dangerous situations and chances. Losing the game like that is hard to play.”
Referee Kevin Friend awarded a penalty kick to Leeds after consulting the field-side observer and Vieira had no complaints about this decision.
“I was expecting (the decision). If I was on the other side, I expected the referee to take the penalty. I had the opportunity to look at it again and it was a penalty.”
Palace lost consecutive league games for the first time under Vieira, but the Frenchman said he could not blame his players.
“Tonight’s performance is more positive,” he added. “Obviously the outcome of the match was not something we wanted.
“But the performance was what I wanted from the team, from the team, because we defended well as a team, we didn’t give them a lot of space, they didn’t create a lot of chances.
“I think we were the better team, we didn’t take our chances and when you’re not at that level you get punished.”
FKN