Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 Leeds United: Patrick Bamford angry with VAR decision
Bamford #Bamford
Patrick Bamford thought he had got his 13th goal of the season late on
Patrick Bamford felt Leeds were “robbed of a point” after the striker had an equalising goal ruled out in Friday’s 1-0 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The hosts took the lead just after the hour when Adama Traore hit a thunderous effort from distance against the crossbar but the ball rebounded off the back of Illan Meslier’s head into the Leeds goal.
Bamford thought he had snatched an equaliser late on as he powered through on goal before finishing brilliantly but he was flagged offside, with the video assistant referee agreeing it was the correct decision.
Bamford had a goal chalked off by VAR in a 4-1 defeat against Crystal Palace in November, having been ruled offside after raising his arm to point where he wanted a pass playing to, and the 27-year-old was once again aggrieved by a decision made by the technology.
“Gutted for the lads tonight, robbed of a point,” he tweeted, before sarcastically adding: “But at least it’s making the game better, we go again Tuesday.”
The visitors had gone close to scoring moments before Meslier’s own goal when Rui Patricio denied Liam Cooper’s header from point-blank range before the follow-up by Bamford was scrambled clear.
Ex-Wolves winger Helder Costa also spurned a glorious chance in the final minute but shot straight at Patricio.
Victory for Wolves moved them above Leeds into 11th place and continued their resurgence following a dip in form. They have now won three of their past four games in the Premier League.
Defeat for Leeds, meanwhile, was their second in succession having lost 4-2 to Arsenal last time out, but this was a much more even encounter and they were unlucky in the manner of the goal they conceded and not to have scored themselves.
“All evaluations from the game are in favour of us. The possession, the dominance and the chances,” said Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa.
“We had double the chances they did to score but we didn’t manage to do so.”
Wolves turning the tide after poor run Nuno Espirito Santo praises winger Adama Traore
This has arguably been Wolves’ most difficult season since their return to the top flight in 2018, having had to deal with the absence of key forward Raul Jimenez through injury for much of the campaign as well as a loss of form.
A run of eight Premier League games without a win had seen them drop away from the top six into the bottom half of the table, but that poor run was halted by a victory against Arsenal at the start of February and they have not lost since.
Against Leeds they looked back to their attacking best, with the excellent Pedro Neto impressing once more.
The 20-year-old Portugal international has stepped up in Jimenez’s absence with five goals and four assists, and he was unfortunate not to be on the scoresheet.
Neto was at his best in the first half as he had several shots on goal, notably drawing a fingertip save out of Meslier.
With Wolves back in form and confidence high, Neto in particular could flourish further as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have their eye on finishing in the European places again.
Nuno said: “We still have some issues to assess but the approach that we have during these tough moments – always believing, always committing – you can’t say anything about the attitude of the players.
“We chase the high standards we have and let’s keep on doing that.”
Leeds feeling Phillips’ absence
Leeds are having to deal with a sizeable injury list but the absence of Kalvin Phillips is proving a particularly big blow.
With him in the side this season they have had a 50% win rate but that drops to just 17% without him and his absence was felt against Wolves.
Leeds’ swashbuckling attacking style will create chances – as it did against Wolves and they were unfortunate not to have taken a point as they rallied late on – but without Phillips they struggle to control the midfield.
The visitors gave the ball away in the centre of the pitch far too often in the first half and could have been punished before the unfortunate own goal.
With 32 points from 24 games, Leeds are well on the way to cementing Premier League football next season, but one of their priorities this summer will surely be finding adequate cover for Phillips.
Marco Bielsa says absence of Kalvin Phillips not a factor in loss at Wolves Meslier makes history – the stats
What next?
Leeds host Southampton in the Premier League on Tuesday, 23 February (18:00 GMT), before Wolves travel to Newcastle on Saturday, 27 February (20:00).
Player of the match
Rui PatrícioRui Patrício
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Squad number11Player nameRui Patrício
Squad number8Player nameRúben Neves
Squad number7Player namePedro Neto
Squad number37Player nameTraoré
Squad number16Player nameCoady
Squad number22Player nameNélson Semedo
Squad number27Player nameSaïss
Squad number19Player nameJonny
Squad number28Player nameJoão Moutinho
Squad number12Player nameWillian José
Squad number32Player nameDendoncker
Squad number17Player nameFábio Silva
Squad number3Player nameAït-Nouri
Squad number5Player nameMarçal
Leeds United
Squad number18Player nameRaphinha
Squad number1Player nameMeslier
Squad number15Player nameDallas
Squad number9Player nameBamford
Squad number6Player nameCooper
Squad number21Player nameStruijk
Squad number2Player nameAyling
Squad number46Player nameShackleton
Squad number11Player nameRoberts
Squad number43Player nameKlich
Squad number19Player namePablo Hernández
Squad number22Player nameHarrison
Squad number10Player nameAlioski
Squad number17Player nameHélder Costa
Line-ups Wolves
Formation 3-4-3
11Rui Patrício
32Dendoncker16Coady27Saïss
22Nélson Semedo8Neves28João Moutinho19Castro Otto
7Neto12Da Silva37Traoré
Substitutes
Leeds
Formation 4-4-1-1
1Meslier
2Ayling21Struijk6Cooper15Dallas
18Raphinha46Shackleton43Klich22Harrison
11Roberts
9Bamford
Substitutes
Live Text
Match ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Leeds United 0.
90’+6′
Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Leeds United 0.
90’+4′
Corner, Leeds United. Conceded by Rui Patrício.
90’+4′
Attempt missed. Raphinha (Leeds United) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Luke Ayling with a headed pass.
90’+3′
Attempt saved. Hélder Costa (Leeds United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
90’+1′
Pedro Neto (Wolverhampton Wanderers) is shown the yellow card.
90′
Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Pascal Struijk.
90′
Attempt blocked. Fábio Silva (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
89′
Attempt blocked. Tyler Roberts (Leeds United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ezgjan Alioski.
87′
Foul by Luke Ayling (Leeds United).
87′
Rayan Aït-Nouri (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the left wing.
87′
Substitution, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Fábio Silva replaces Willian José.
86′
Foul by Pascal Struijk (Leeds United).
86′
Romain Saïss (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
85′
Corner, Leeds United. Conceded by Leander Dendoncker.
85′
Attempt missed. João Moutinho (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Willian José.
82′
Substitution, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Rayan Aït-Nouri replaces Marçal because of an injury.
81′
Substitution, Leeds United. Hélder Costa replaces Jack Harrison.
81′
Substitution, Leeds United. Ezgjan Alioski replaces Mateusz Klich.
81′
Foul by Mateusz Klich (Leeds United).
