Leeds United beat Crystal Palace and moved above Arsenal into 10th in the Premier League tonight but it could have been easier.
Jack Harrison gave Leeds the lead after just two minutes.
Patrick Bamford somehow conspired to keep it that way until the 52nd minute, despite a huge chance.
He created that for himself in the first-half, running through on goal before opening his body up and shanking it straight into the stand.
It’s frustrating for Leeds fans who have to endure Bamford going from, as one fan said, “Premier League to pub league in the blink of an eye”, which is a great description of that passage of play at Elland Road.
Bamford made amends in the second half, finishing smartly from a saved shot from Raphinha.
And, to be fair to him, he has been in scintillating form this season. However, if he was as efficient as some of the Premier League’s top scorers he would be out on his own in the race for the golden boot.
We’ve been there so many times, missing chances to put the game out of sight, before letting an equaliser in.
Thankfully, tonight turned out differently and fittingly it was Bamford’s 100th career goal that made it safe.
It’s also fair to say that he could have had his 101st, 2nd and 3rd tonight, too.
It led to some very different reactions to Bamford tonight. First the bad…
Bamford goes from Premier League to Pub League in the blink of an eye 😩😩😩#LUFC
— Anthony Looskan (@anthonylooskan) February 8, 2021
Bamford got to be doing better at the end too. Should be coming alive when Raph plays that ball into him but he took his eye off the ball 🤷🏻♂️ #lufc
— James Normington (@JN_Stormy) February 8, 2021
Bamford and Raphinha are making runs for fun here. Bamford and Struijk are having a mare with the finishes though. To meg the CB like he did and then sky it. Come on Paddy! #LUFC
— Lloyd Maskface Hartley (@oliverlloyd) February 8, 2021
Bamford needs shaking. Should have this game buried, as should Struijk. Good half tho. #lufc
— Brandon Yates (@Brandon7Yates) February 8, 2021
Patrick Bamford having what most call “one” here. Come on, Paddy. #lufc
— David Kevin Williams 🏴 (@DaveKWilliams) February 8, 2021
superb half, but once again are these guilt edge chances gonna comeback and haunt us, bamford having a shocker infront of goal……..but once again raphinha is ripping it up again, absolute baller #lufc
— Sim (@1simmo1) February 8, 2021
Bamford jesus. We'll regret all these missed chances. Stick Raph up top!! #lufc
— Olivier Pujol (@DBauer191) February 8, 2021
I like Bamford but at times he's hopeless #lufc
— Luke George (@MrLukeyGeorge) February 8, 2021
Jeez Bamford. Weak foot and everything yeah but that is horrendous. #lufc
— Alex Oldham (@alexanderoldham) February 8, 2021
Bamford looks so awkward at times with the more simple stuff . That last one was control n shoot .. does he overthink things . ? Needs to be more instinctive #lufc
— Kevin Roberts (@krlufc67) February 8, 2021
And then, the good…
Bamford has been an absolute revelation. A good % of Leeds fans would've been happy enough had we replaced him in the summer. #LUFC
— Diarmuid Nolan (@dermonolan91) February 8, 2021
I know I’ve been pretty hard on Bamford but congrats on his 100 goal club career. That was a good follow up to slot the ball in the empty net #lufc
— زاك د (@gorikain_) February 8, 2021
BANG.
LORD BAMFORD.
GOAL MACHINE. #LUFC
— We All Talk Leeds (@WeAllTalkLeeds) February 8, 2021
Surely Bamford deserves an #England call up? Pick up the phone, Southgate! #LEECRY #LUFC
— Christopher Ellis (@c_ellis92) February 8, 2021
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay claims big-money Leeds ace ‘barely’ good enough for bench, could cost club millions
