Match ends, Leeds United 2, Blackburn Rovers 1.
LeedsLeeds United2BlackburnBlackburn Rovers1
Patrick Bamford scored his first goal since August as promotion-chasing Leeds United held out for victory over Blackburn Rovers.
Bamford gave the hosts a deserved lead when he slotted home from the spot after Tosin Adarabioyo had fouled Luke Ayling in the area and then played in Jack Harrison to make it 2-0 with a good finish.
Derrick Williams crashed in a header from Stewart Downing's corner to give the visitors a lifeline before the break.
But Leeds dominated the second half, with Tyler Roberts and Harrison both going close to a third, but ultimately two was enough.
Marcelo Bielsa's men remain third in the Championship after victories for West Brom and Preston, over Hull and Huddersfield respectively.
They were on top throughout against Tony Mowbray's Rovers, whose goal by centre-back Williams came from their only effort on target.
Bamford's penalty to open the scoring ended a run of 10 matches without a goal and the former England Under-21 international was instrumental in the second too, as his neat touch and pass set Harrison up for his second in two games.
Leeds travel to Luton after the international break, while Blackburn, who have slipped to 18th, host lowly Barnsley.
Leeds head coach Marcelo Bielsa:
"This is a player (Bamford) with a big character and a big personality. He took the responsibility (for the penalty), which isn't easy for him."
"At that moment (2-0 up), it was difficult to think the opponent could score. But after they scored, everything changed.
"After we scored twice, we had 10 or 12 chances but in the first and the second half we had a lot of spaces to attack. We didn't take advantage of that as much as we should."
Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray:
"It's always intense when you come to Elland Road, but the referee gives a penalty, which I've seen back a few times on the laptop and it's soft to say the least. It spoiled a little bit of the game.
"Is the standard of refereeing in the Championship dropping, or is it just me? It felt like that game was a bit much for him.
"Leeds didn't have hundreds of shots and when we got back to 2-1 there was a nervousness about them. We wanted to prey on that nervousness but it never materialised."
Line-ups
Leeds
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 13Casilla
- 2Ayling
- 5White
- 6CooperSubstituted forBerardiat 72'minutes
- 15Dallas
- 23PhillipsBooked at 80mins
- 17Hélder CostaSubstituted forHernándezat 81'minutes
- 43Klich
- 11Roberts
- 22HarrisonSubstituted forDavisat 90+4'minutes
- 9Bamford
Substitutes
- 1Meslier
- 3Douglas
- 19Hernández
- 28Berardi
- 36Gotts
- 40Davis
- 47Clarke
Blackburn
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Walton
- 31Bennett
- 2Nyambe
- 24Tosin
- 3WilliamsBooked at 54mins
- 27Travis
- 22HoltbySubstituted forBuckleyat 69'minutesBooked at 75mins
- 7A ArmstrongSubstituted forGrahamat 60'minutes
- 23Dack
- 19Downing
- 9GallagherSubstituted forEvansat 69'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Johnson
- 8Rothwell
- 10Graham
- 13Leutwiler
- 17Bell
- 29Evans
- 39Buckley
- Referee:
- Gavin Ward
- Attendance:
- 35,567
Match Stats
Home TeamLeedsAway TeamBlackburn
- Possession
- Home68%
- Away32%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away4
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away1
- Corners
- Home4
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Leeds United 2, Blackburn Rovers 1.
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Tyler Roberts (Leeds United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Ryan Nyambe (Blackburn Rovers).
Substitution
Substitution, Leeds United. Leif Davis replaces Jack Harrison.
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Patrick Bamford (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Ryan Nyambe (Blackburn Rovers).
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Attempt blocked. Pablo Hernández (Leeds United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Mateusz Klich.
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Attempt missed. Patrick Bamford (Leeds United) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Mateusz Klich following a fast break.
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Attempt blocked. John Buckley (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Danny Graham.
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Foul by Jack Harrison (Leeds United).
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Lewis Travis (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Offside, Leeds United. Stuart Dallas tries a through ball, but Patrick Bamford is caught offside.
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Attempt blocked. Patrick Bamford (Leeds United) header from very close range is blocked. Assisted by Kalvin Phillips with a cross.
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Corner, Leeds United. Conceded by Christian Walton.
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Attempt saved. Tyler Roberts (Leeds United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Mateusz Klich.
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Hand ball by Bradley Dack (Blackburn Rovers).
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Attempt missed. Jack Harrison (Leeds United) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Tyler Roberts following a fast break.
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Corner, Blackburn Rovers. Conceded by Kalvin Phillips.
Substitution
Substitution, Leeds United. Pablo Hernández replaces Hélder Costa.
