Leeds out of relegation zone with 4-2 win over Wolves

WOLVERHAMPTON, England, March 18 (Reuters) – Leeds United earned a vital three points in their fight for Premier League survival with an entertaining 4-2 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, to ensure they head into the international break above the relegation zone.

Jack Harrison smashed home the opener for Leeds from near the penalty spot in the sixth minute after being picked out by Italian teenager Wilfried Gnonto’s pinpoint cross.

Luke Ayling doubled the lead from a corner early in the second half and Leeds substitute Rasmus Kristensen added a third just after the hour mark from a tight angle after outmuscling Wolves defender Jonny.

Jonny pulled a goal back for Wolves three minutes later, curling home into an empty net from just inside the Leeds half after their goalkeeper Illan Meslier left his penalty area to head the ball clear and found himself stranded.

Matheus Cunha cut the deficit further with a deflected shot in the 73rd minute and Wolves pushed hard for an equaliser before Jonny was shown a red card for a studs-up challenge on Ayling that left the Leeds fullback writhing in agony.

The sending off in the 84th minute took the wind out of Wolves’ sails and substitute Rodrigo chipped Sa to score Leeds’ fourth in the seventh minute of injury time, despite referee Michael Salisbury being asked by VAR to check for a foul in the build-up.

Leeds, who started the day second-bottom in the table, climbed five places to 14th after registering just their sixth league win of the season and second since manager Javi Gracia took over at the end of February. Wolves stayed in 13th place.

Reporting by Simon Jennings in Bengaluru Editing by Toby Davis

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