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Leeds United 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur: Patrick Bamford helps dent Spurs' Euro hopes

By Neil JohnstonBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments1747

Patrick Bamford scores for Leeds United against Tottenham in the Premier League
Patrick Bamford is just the fourth Englishman to score 15-plus goals for Leeds in a single Premier League campaign

Patrick Bamford scored for Leeds United in front of watching England boss Gareth Southgate to help dent Tottenham's European chances.

In an absorbing game at Elland Road, Stuart Dallas put Leeds ahead with his eighth league goal of the season, the Northern Ireland midfielder pouncing from close range after Hugo Lloris' terrific reaction save to prevent Sergio Reguilon putting through his own net.

The lead lasted 12 minutes, Son Heung-min equalising with a clinical finish after Dele Alli was allowed to run unchallenged before threading a clever pass into the South Korea forward's path.

But Leeds responded through Bamford, who tapped in Ezgjan Alioski's cross before substitute Rodrigo confirmed Spurs' first league defeat in three games under interim manager Ryan Mason.

On a frustrating day for Spurs, Harry Kane had two goals ruled out for offside and hit the bar from a free-kick, while Illan Meslier produced an excellent save to keep out Serge Aurier's deflected attempt.

With three matches left, sixth-placed Spurs are five points off fourth spot with both teams immediately above them - West Ham and Chelsea - having games in hand.

Leeds, who started the weekend in 11th spot, climbed above Aston Villa and Arsenal - who both play on Sunday - into ninth.

Will Bamford get Euro 2020 call?

Southgate, who will this month name his squad for this summer's delayed Euro 2020 Championship, was at Elland Road to see Bamford score his 15th Premier League goal of the season.

Earlier this season, Southgate said Bamford was close to being called up but opted instead for Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins.

With countries allowed to select a 26-player squad instead of the usual 23 at this summer's tournament, the former Chelsea player could well be in contention for a first England call at the age of 27.

He has been a key to Leeds' solid return to the top flight and was in the right place to score his team's second goal during a typical hard-working performance by Marcelo Bielsa's side.

Leeds United 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur: Marcelo Bielsa praises Leeds ‘enthusiasm’

Their return to the Premier League has been peppered with memorable moments. Leeds have taken four points off champions-elect Manchester City, won convincingly at third-placed Leicester and played some exciting football throughout.

This high-energy performance was another highlight as they scored three or more goals in a single game for the eighth time. They could have won by a more handsome margin.

At 1-1, Lloris produced a one-handed save to keep out Jack Harrison and the Spurs keeper later denied Mateusz Klich at 2-1, before Moreno's goal, after a superb run and pass by the returning Raphinha, settled it.

The result means Leeds will finish this season unbeaten at home in the league against the so-called big six.

Will Spurs make Europe?

This was Tottenham's second defeat since sacking Jose Mourinho last month. Not only is 2020-21 their 13th season without a major trophy after they lost to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, they are now in danger of missing out on a place in Europe.

While Mourinho has since resurfaced in Italy at Roma, Spurs' search for a permanent manager looks set to extend into the close season.

Whoever takes over faces a huge task.

Question marks remain over the future of England captain Kane while Gareth Bale has just three games before he is due to return to Real Madrid.

Tottenham's next manager will be the 10th permanent appointment made during Daniel Levy's 20 years as chairman. He really needs to get the next one right.

Having beaten Southampton and relegated Sheffield United at home under Mason, this was a careless performance against Leeds.

The hosts were much more energetic and took the lead after Aurier failed to cut out a cross, while Eric Dier's poor headed clearance sparked the move that led to Bamford scoring Leeds' second goal.

Fourth place looks an unlikely prospect now for Spurs, while sixth place will become seventh if Liverpool beat Southampton at Anfield in the day's late kick-off.

Leeds United 3-1 Tottenham: Mason disagrees with Kane offside decision in defeat

'Leeds are fittest team in league' - what they said

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa: "We could have scored more goals, but we could have conceded more as well. The difference of two goals is adequate. To have won by more goals, it would not have corresponded, even if it was possible.

"I don't think [Spurs] played without enthusiasm. On our part, I link it to the spirit of the players."

Tottenham interim boss Ryan Mason: "Leeds are probably the fittest team in the Premier League so we knew it was going to be difficult early on.

"We wanted to come here and win the game. We haven't done that. That's very disappointing.

"We have to get over this and we have to work well this week and hopefully get three points next weekend."

Leeds keep out the 'big six' - the stats

  • Leeds became the first side to remain unbeaten at home in the Premier League against each of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham in a season since West Ham in 2015-16, and only the third newly promoted side to do so, after Ipswich Town in 2000-01 and Birmingham City in 2009-10.
  • Spurs have lost five of their 10 Premier League away games in 2021.
  • Patrick Bamford became just the fourth Englishman to score 15-plus goals for Leeds in a single Premier League campaign after Lee Chapman (15 in 1992-93), Rod Wallace (17 in 1993-94) and Michael Bridges (19 in 1999-00).
  • Bamford has had a hand 22 Premier League goals this season (15 goals, seven assists) - only one Englishman has been involved in more (Harry Kane, 34).
  • Only team-mate Kane (21) and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah (20) have scored more Premier League goals than Tottenham's Son Heung-min (17) this season.
  • Stuart Dallas is the first Northern Ireland player to score as many as eight Premier League goals in a single season since Chris Brunt in 2008-09.

What's next?

Leeds are at Burnley next Saturday (12:30 BST), while Tottenham are at home to Wolves on Sunday, 16 May (14:05 BST).

Player of the match

DallasStuart Dallas

with an average of 8.76

Leeds United

  1. Squad number15Player nameDallas
    Average rating

    8.76

  2. Squad number9Player nameBamford
    Average rating

    8.41

  3. Squad number22Player nameHarrison
    Average rating

    8.41

  4. Squad number5Player nameKoch
    Average rating

    8.37

  5. Squad number10Player nameAlioski
    Average rating

    8.33

  6. Squad number20Player nameRodrigo
    Average rating

    8.24

  7. Squad number18Player nameRaphinha
    Average rating

    8.23

  8. Squad number1Player nameMeslier
    Average rating

    8.18

  9. Squad number21Player nameStruijk
    Average rating

    8.12

  10. Squad number14Player nameLlorente
    Average rating

    8.11

  11. Squad number43Player nameKlich
    Average rating

    7.86

  12. Squad number2Player nameAyling
    Average rating

    7.82

  13. Squad number23Player namePhillips
    Average rating

    7.65

  14. Squad number11Player nameRoberts
    Average rating

    7.16

Tottenham Hotspur

  1. Squad number1Player nameLloris
    Average rating

    5.60

  2. Squad number7Player nameSon Heung-Min
    Average rating

    5.08

  3. Squad number10Player nameKane
    Average rating

    4.55

  4. Squad number20Player nameAlli
    Average rating

    4.32

  5. Squad number4Player nameAlderweireld
    Average rating

    3.89

  6. Squad number9Player nameBale
    Average rating

    3.66

  7. Squad number5Player nameHøjbjerg
    Average rating

    3.61

  8. Squad number24Player nameAurier
    Average rating

    3.51

  9. Squad number18Player nameLo Celso
    Average rating

    3.43

  10. Squad number27Player nameLucas Moura
    Average rating

    3.32

  11. Squad number3Player nameReguilón
    Average rating

    3.26

  12. Squad number11Player nameLamela
    Average rating

    3.22

  13. Squad number15Player nameDier
    Average rating

    3.18

  14. Squad number28Player nameNdombele
    Average rating

    3.04

Line-ups

Leeds

Formation 4-1-4-1

  • 1Meslier
  • 2Ayling
  • 14Llorente
  • 21Struijk
  • 10Alioski
  • 5KochBooked at 51mins
  • 15Dallas
  • 11RobertsSubstituted forRaphinhaat 58'minutes
  • 43KlichSubstituted forPhillipsat 90'minutes
  • 22Harrison
  • 9BamfordSubstituted forRodrigoat 79'minutes

Substitutes

  • 7Poveda-Ocampo
  • 13Casilla
  • 18Raphinha
  • 19Hernández
  • 20Rodrigo
  • 23Phillips
  • 24Davis
  • 28Berardi
  • 46Shackleton

Tottenham

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Lloris
  • 24Aurier
  • 4Alderweireld
  • 15Dier
  • 3ReguilónBooked at 61mins
  • 18Lo CelsoSubstituted forNdombeleat 80'minutes
  • 5Højbjerg
  • 9BaleSubstituted forLucas Mouraat 67'minutesBooked at 68mins
  • 20AlliSubstituted forLamelaat 67'minutes
  • 7Son Heung-Min
  • 10Kane

Substitutes

  • 2Doherty
  • 6D Sánchez
  • 8Winks
  • 11Lamela
  • 12Hart
  • 17Sissoko
  • 23Bergwijn
  • 27Lucas Moura
  • 28Ndombele
Referee:
Michael Oliver

Match Stats

Home TeamLeedsAway TeamTottenham
Possession
Home53%
Away47%
Shots
Home16
Away11
Shots on Target
Home7
Away3
Corners
Home8
Away6
Fouls
Home12
Away10

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Leeds United 3, Tottenham Hotspur 1.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Leeds United 3, Tottenham Hotspur 1.

  3. Post update

    Attempt missed. Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Lucas Moura.

  4. Post update

    Corner, Leeds United. Conceded by Hugo Lloris.

  5. Post update

    Attempt saved. Stuart Dallas (Leeds United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Rodrigo.

  6. Substitution

    Substitution, Leeds United. Kalvin Phillips replaces Mateusz Klich.

  7. Post update

    Foul by Luke Ayling (Leeds United).

  8. Post update

    Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  9. Post update

    VAR Decision: Goal Leeds United - Leeds United 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Rodrigo).

  10. Goal!

    Goal! Leeds United 3, Tottenham Hotspur 1. Rodrigo (Leeds United) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Raphinha.Goal confirmed following VAR Review.

  11. Post update

    Attempt missed. Mateusz Klich (Leeds United) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Stuart Dallas.

  12. Post update

    Foul by Diego Llorente (Leeds United).

  13. Post update

    Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  14. Substitution

    Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Tanguy Ndombele replaces Giovani Lo Celso.

  15. Substitution

    Substitution, Leeds United. Rodrigo replaces Patrick Bamford.

  16. Post update

    Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by Raphinha.

  17. Post update

    Attempt saved. Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Harry Kane.

  18. Post update

    Ezgjan Alioski (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  19. Post update

    Foul by Lucas Moura (Tottenham Hotspur).

  20. Post update

    Attempt missed. Jack Harrison (Leeds United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Mateusz Klich.

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Comments

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1747 comments

  • Comment posted by bobby smith, at 14:27 8 May

    Can Leeds finish top half upvote yes downvote no

    • Reply posted by La mitad mas que Indio, at 14:29 8 May

      La mitad mas que Indio replied:
      Upvote means Yes, but I think Leeds can finish in a European place!

  • Comment posted by lucifersleftyoutoit, at 14:27 8 May

    Spurs dont deserve european football

    • Reply posted by Mikeygasbag, at 14:46 8 May

      Mikeygasbag replied:
      Something I have been saying for a few months now, and I'm a Spurs supporter!

  • Comment posted by Specialist_in_tailoring, at 14:25 8 May

    Well played Leeds. Absolutely brilliant!
    Bielsa is a Legend. How many points have they taken off so called super league sides?

    • Reply posted by Dougal, at 14:39 8 May

      Dougal replied:
      11

  • Comment posted by I7, at 14:25 8 May

    Wait what. So Spurs did not win the league after beating Sheffield last week? And Bale is not contender for ballon’dor ?

    • Reply posted by Celts, at 14:46 8 May

      Celts replied:
      Free Harry Kane!

  • Comment posted by Lorimer, at 14:25 8 May

    Great game for the neutral, but as a Leeds fan, it was bloody brilliant 😁😁 MOT

    • Reply posted by William, at 14:36 8 May

      William replied:
      Great win! MOT

  • Comment posted by Jonathan in Patagonia, at 14:35 8 May

    Heartiest congrats Leeds! You've been a shot in the arm for the PL, if not for world football. And take care of that most honest of coaches you have in Marcelo Bielsa

    • Reply posted by bedders, at 14:38 8 May

      bedders replied:
      Respect

  • Comment posted by 60sChild, at 14:27 8 May

    How good is Stuart Dallas? Another fantastic performance.

    • Reply posted by blueboy, at 14:34 8 May

      blueboy replied:
      Ulster man balls of steel

  • Comment posted by ken, at 14:30 8 May

    BT Sports commentary was like Spurs were playing a non-English team. Even when 3-1 down they turned round and said there's still time for them to come back! Them...not Spurs...them!
    I thought commentators were suppose to be neutral.

    • Reply posted by bedders, at 14:32 8 May

      bedders replied:
      Yep they were disappointed with the 3rd goal being onside..

  • Comment posted by Tony, at 14:28 8 May

    Mason showed he picks his favourites rather than who needs to play. Bale innocuous, Ali maybe two good touches all game, Dier an absolute disaster and had a hand in all 3 Leeds goals with his mistakes. How does he keep getting picked

    • Reply posted by La mitad mas que Indio, at 14:32 8 May

      La mitad mas que Indio replied:
      And they thought Jose was the problem.
      Hahahahahahaha!!! Jose was right! This team is a lost cause, and he made them look good initially.

  • Comment posted by greenster, at 14:24 8 May

    Unbeaten at home against the 'Big 6'. Beaten Man City away from home... Just imagine what Bielsa can do with this Leeds team with a few more signings over the summer. Fantastic performance.

    • Reply posted by valleyboy, at 14:45 8 May

      valleyboy replied:
      Well he did absolutely nowt with both Marseille & lille..

  • Comment posted by Dylan, at 14:27 8 May

    Super League Spurs crushed by Super Leeds.

    • Reply posted by brightonborn, at 15:27 8 May

      brightonborn replied:
      ...and Brighton beat both.

  • Comment posted by conradk, at 14:26 8 May

    Bamford is a class act, if Southgate leaves him out anymore then he’s even worse at picking a squad than I thought.

    • Reply posted by IJB, at 14:39 8 May

      IJB replied:
      Agree, that's why England have a very poor team

  • Comment posted by Futbolmad, at 14:27 8 May

    Team football against individual kick and run. Team football won. Deservedly.

    • Reply posted by stig the pig, at 02:20 9 May

      stig the pig replied:
      SIDE BEFORE SELF

  • Comment posted by Jimmy, at 14:25 8 May

    Bottleham Flopspur

    • Reply posted by bromleyfc, at 14:41 8 May

      bromleyfc replied:
      What a name. That’s really made me laugh. Thanks for that bud! 😂

  • Comment posted by steve, at 14:27 8 May

    So Harry wants to stay at spuds to win trophies??? Hilarious.

    • Reply posted by soccerteur, at 15:40 8 May

      soccerteur replied:
      Problem with Kane is that he signed a contract and is therefore overpriced for most. So it's not about setting him free, he locked himself up there! He's wallpapering over his mistake by drumming up this Spurs team capable of winning trophies. Not going to happen as we have been proven.

  • Comment posted by Specialist_in_tailoring, at 14:23 8 May

    A brilliant spursy special (sp-sp) from the perennial trophy dodgers!!