Ryan Darby

Sat 19 December 2020 9:43, UK

Steve Bruce has hailed Leeds United as ‘the number one team’ in the Premier League this season in terms of ‘physical output’.

Speaking ahead of Newcastle’s game with Brighton on Saturday, Bruce reflected on his side’s heavy defeat to Leeds on Wednesday night.

As reported by Chronicle Live, Bruce told reporters: “Certainly Leeds are – they’re the No 1 team in the Premier League at the moment for their physical output.

“Look, I thought Leeds were the better team on the night. I’m not going to dispute that. However, we gave ourselves a chance when we got back to 2-2.”

Leeds’ high-intensity football has been a huge talking point for fans and pundits alike following their promotion to the Premier League.

The extreme demands placed on the Leeds squad was clear for all to see as the Whites scored two very late goals against Newcastle, both coming from brilliant counter-attacks.

Relentless Leeds

Pundits can continue to label the Whites as a ‘tired’ team, but it simply is not true.

The victory over Newcastle showcased just how relentless the Whites have become under Marcelo Bielsa, with three goals coming in the last 15 minutes of the game.

As per the official Premier League website, Leeds have scored the fourth-highest amount of goals from counter-attacks this season.

They refuse to merely see a game out and that reflects in their numbers. The Whites have recorded the second-most shots on target in the Premier League this season (74) and only trail champions Liverpool (87).

Leeds and Liverpool also make up the top two when it comes to shots in general, with the Whites having 199 in the Premier League so far, second to the Reds’ 203.

If there is an opportunity to attack, no matter how late in the game, Leeds will take it and Premier League teams are struggling to cope with that.

This was a shot from late on in the Newcastle game. Tired much?

In other Leeds United news, Rob Green details what Klich told him about Bielsa’s Christmas training regime at Leeds