Leeds stunned after ten-man Wigan hold on for vital win
Leeds United 1-2 Wigan Athletic: Marcelo Bielsa's side have let slip their three-point advantage over Sheffield United, who have moved ahead on goal difference into second place
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Having been in control of their own destiny in a fascinating fight for promotion, Leeds United will now have to rely on Sheffield United dropping points if they are to claim second place and automatic entry to the Premier League.
Elland Road was engulfed in dejection as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat at home to Wigan Athletic and let slip their three-point advantage over the Blades, who moved ahead on goal difference.
Head coach Marcelo Bielsa was left bewildered at how this transpired. He was not alone. But Leeds only had themselves to blame.
Strangely devoid of attacking ideas and blunted by determined defending, they did not take advantage of an extra man after Wigan centre-back Cedric Kipre was sent off in the 14th minute for handball.
Pablo Hernandez missed the subsequent penalty and even when Patrick Bamford put them ahead in the 17th minute, they conceded twice to Gavin Massey.
It was simply a tale of the unexpected.
Leeds had started with the same vibrancy that has catapulted them into this position.
Jack Harrison, the winger on loan from Manchester City, created the first opening when he sped away down the left and whipped in a cross that just eluded Bamford but reached Hernandez coming in from the right.
He fired the ball back into the box, but Kipre was well placed to make a vital clearing header. But the game turned dramatically in three madcap minutes with this trio all involved.
When Bamford sent a shot goalwards, Kipre was on the line to make what seemed a defiant last-ditch stop.
But the defender was then left aghast as referee Scott Duncan pointed to the penalty spot and showed him a red card.
The official looked to have hesitated, perhaps unsure, and Kipre was adamant as he walked off the field and down the tunnel that the ball struck his chest.
In a week where VAR has served up more than enough drama to last a footballing lifetime, perhaps, if used here, it would have at least offered some clarity to a moment that affected the outcome.
Hernandez, after a two-minute delay, hit the 16th-minute spot-kick low into the left corner where Christian Walton spread himself superbly to touch it onto the post.
But there was to be no respite for the valiant visitors.
A minute later full-back Luke Ayling made another charge from the right and found Bamford in space inside the box.
The frontman chested the ball down and created the perfect angle for himself to drive a sumptuous finish into Walton’s right-hand corner.
A 10th goal of an injury-plagued season, a third in as many games and every one crucial.
It should have calmed the Leeds nerves. But they were jangling when a slack back pass was picked up by Leon Clarke. The towering striker rounded Kiko Casilla but his shot drifted wide of the empty net.
It was a warning that the hosts simply did not heed.
Despite having the extra man and retaining the bulk of possession they were errant with their shooting and misplaced too many passes.
Massey punished them a minute before half time when Wigan countered superbly through Kal Naismith and Lee Evans and he smashed in a confident finish past Casilla for his fourth goal of the campaign.
Number five would soon follow.
Having repeatedly repelled the wave of Leeds attacks with blocks and bravery, they pounced in the 62nd minute.
Leon Clarke’s aerial threat had been obvious throughout and it was he who headed on a deep free kick for Massey to nudge past Casilla.
Back came Leeds. Bielsa had already sent on Kemar Roofe at half time when he added young winger Jack Clarke into the equation to offer even more attacking options.
It made little difference.
Walton in the Wigan goal was inspired, denying Bamford and then Harrison with wonderful saves.
To a man, Wigan were warriors as they moved a massive step closer to safety.
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