Brilliant Bamford with perfect response to Southgate snub
Patrick Bamford put in a match-winning performance last night for Leeds United after being overlooked for the England squad by Gareth Southgate.
The 27-year-old scored excellently and provided an assist for the winner as the Whites won 2-1 at Craven Cottage against Fulham. It was his 14th goal of the season, making him the second-highest scoring Englishman in the top-flight behind Harry Kane.
The win breaks Leeds’ run of 17 matches in London in all competitions without a win. The last time they’d won in the capital was December 2017, in a 3-1 win at QPR.
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Bamford was all fired up last night and it was excellent to see. It’s difficult to see why he wasn’t selected over Ollie Watkins, the Aston Villa striker has fewer goals and assists this season than Bamford.
Last night was arguably his best performance of the season. Bamford showed great desire to try and run off an early knock. He took a hit to the shin in the first half, it looked for a moment like he would limp off for the second time in a week.
Instead, the number nine stayed on. He ended a three-game drought without a goal with a classy and emphatic near-post finish from a Jack Harrison cross. He’s now scored the most goals from open play in the Premier League this season.
Just after giving us the lead, he received only his second booking of the campaign, leaving a late one on Tosin. He was really eager to put himself about and prove his quality, so this wasn’t a bad thing to see.
In the second half he continued his menacing form. Kalvin Phillips won the ball brilliantly in the middle and Bamford ceased possession. He left Anderson in heap on the floor before calmly sliding in Raphinha for 2-1. It was his sixth assist of the season.
Bamford was a nightmare for the Fulham back-line. He made six interceptions in his 75 minutes on the pitch, the most he’s managed in a game this season [WyScout]. He also regained possession five times, he’s only done this more in one match previously in 2020/21.
Eventually the knock he picked up in the first half ended his night early. Bamford hobbled off after 75 minutes, but his work was done. A top-class performance and the perfect response to his snubbing from Gareth Southgate. He’s 100% still in the race for the Euros with England.
In other Leeds United news, Adam Pope slammed this Whites player during the win against Fulham.