There is no doubt that Wednesday night’s win was Leeds United’s best performance of the season and certainly, Leeds’ best result. But it was also one player’s best display in a Leeds shirt.
Having suffered four consecutive defeats and lost six of the last seven, the odds were stacked against Leeds going into the game. The pressure was immense on Daniel Farke, and yet, Leeds secured a 3-1 win.
What a win! Who was your Man of the Match? 🔥
Jaka Bijol in action for Leeds United
Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images
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Jaka Bijol scored his first-ever Leeds goal, Ao Tanaka scored his first-ever Premier League goal and there was a third Leeds goal for Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The England striker now has two goals in two games.
There were some super performances all over the pitch, with LeedsUnited.News dishing out three 9/10 ratings on Wednesday night. But for Stuart Dallas and Shay Given, there was one man who stood out.
Jaka Bijol in action v Chelsea.
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Shay Given and Stuart Dallas heap praise on Leeds star Jaka Bijol
Wednesday was only Bijol’s fourth Premier League start for Leeds, with the Slovenia international failing to prove his £15m transfer fee in the first half of the season. Farke described Bijol as a “marquee signing”.
But he has failed to prove that, perhaps, until Wednesday night. Bijol was one of the three who was given a rating of 9/10, and both Given and Dallas reserved special praise for the former Udinese centre-back.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Given was impressed with Bijol’s goal: “It’s a brilliant ball in from Stach, and Bijol – look at the spring, the leap, the hang time here Gabby, it’s absolutely unbelievable.”
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Leeds United’s player ratings in win against Chelsea 🥳
We gave Lukas Nmecha and two others a rating of 9/10 – do you agree? Comment below!
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Dallas’ praise for Bijol was more for his defensive work, with the defender producing some superb blocks and getting his head to the ball in his own box. The former Leeds man was immense on Wednesday.
“They looked solid, Chelsea ran out of ideas. Bijol, I single him out for special praise, really comfortable in the middle of that back three. Leeds looked really comfortable, defensively, tonight,” Dallas told LUTV.
Jaka Bijol’s impressive stats for Leeds United in win v Chelsea
There were a handful of superb performances all over the park. Joe Rodon was as consistent as ever, Ethan Ampadu looked like he had the bit between his teeth, and Anton Stach was superb in midfield.
Stunning Jaka Bijol stats in Leeds United win over Chelsea 👊
According to the stats, Jaka Bijol was the best player on the pitch:
90 minutes played, 8.3 FotMob rating (best on pitch)
11 defensive contributions, 44 touches
24/28 successful passes (86%)
2 tackles, 6 recoveries, 9 clearances
Five duels won (joint-fifth on pitch)
Jaka Bijol during Leeds United v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
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Ao Tanaka is thriving in his new role, taking his goal superbly, while Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha were superb up top. A brilliant performance all round, but Bijol was arguably the best of the bunch.
If there were any lingering doubts about the 3-5-2 system with Bijol in the middle of the back three, they are over. Leeds will almost certainly line-up with the same formation and Bijol is expected to start.
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