Andy Hinchcliffe gobsmacked by one thing he saw Leeds player do in 3-0 win
Raphinha put in another brilliant display for Leeds United in a 3-0 win over Southampton at Elland Road.
It wasn’t his skills that left Andy Hinchcliffe gobsmacked, though, but his work rate right at the death.
“86 minutes on the clock, 3-0 up and Raphinha has sprinted from the halfway line to close McCarthy down,” said Hinchcliffe in the commentary booth (Sky Sports, Tuesday, 6pm).
“How many teams, how many coaches would encourage an attacking midfielder to make a run like this, at this stage in the game?
“Just watch him, gets his head down, this is how you play for Bielsa whether it’s the first minute or the last minute.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re 3-0 up, you sprint and put the keeper under pressure.
“It’s amazing.”
Pure Leeds
This is Leeds and Raphinha has got it straight away.
You can have all the skills in the world but if you’re not a team player, and you’re not as fit as anyone else in the league, you won’t go far under Marcelo Bielsa.
Raphinha is playing like he’s been at Leeds and under Bielsa for years.
He could have had more than his one goal tonight and he could have had three or four assists but for some sloppy finishing from his teammates.
He’s already been noticed by pundits and by other teams in the Premier League.
If he carries on like this he’s going to be a wanted man in the summer.
He’s been an absolute revelation and Hinchcliffe is right – that sprint in the 86th minute sums him up and sums Leeds up.
It’s a great win and another exhilarating display from Raphinha.
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