Leeds end wait for first win as Diego Llorente marks return from injury with the only goal - The Telegraph 2/10/21
Watford had a goal disallowed in the second half but the home side were worthy of all three points
Arindam Rej
Marcelo Bielsa admitted his relief after Leeds United ended
their winless start to the Premier League season, at the seventh attempt, after
Diego Llorente scored the winner on his comeback from a muscular injury.
Llorente, the injury-troubled Spain centre-back, was said to
be emotional and panicking after sustaining the injury three weeks ago – as he
faced the prospect of another long absence – but here he was back and scoring
in the 18th minute. Although Leeds had a scare in the 73rd minute when their
goalkeeper, Illan Meslier, dropped the slippery ball and Liam Cooper bundled it
into his own net from a corner, it was disallowed due to a foul by Christian
Kabasele in the build-up.
In reality, Watford did not deserve anything from this game
after being outclassed for long periods and producing self-inflicted errors. It
could, and should, have been a more comfortable victory margin, but the three
points were the pressing priority.
“Of course, I feel relief,” said Bielsa, whose team moved
out of the relegation zone. “Three points from 18 [points available] was
something to be worried about, independent of whether it was deserved or not.
To be able to win today was a necessity.”
Considering the demands of Watford’s owners, better scores
and efforts might be necessary for them, too. The defeat meant Watford have
gone 17 Premier League matches without a clean sheet. It was a tough afternoon
for the visitors with Danny Rose, a former Leeds player, appearing to have an
object thrown at him in the second half.
Ben Foster, Watford goalkeeper and captain, had worn
flip-flops before the match, but that was as comfortable as it got – and his
attire did not match the rain that came down, affecting the surface. Bielsa’s
men did not look nervous about their form, asserting themselves with Foster
producing a save to deny the industrious Stuart Dallas, after Dan James had
caused problems.
Llorente hooked in from six yards, when Watford’s Juraj Kucka
had ineptly headed to him after a corner by the lively Raphinha was not dealt
with. Bielsa said Llorente’s goal was a fitting way to “round off a solid
performance” by the Spaniard. He also praised Raphinha’s efforts, pointing out
that – as well as attacking – the “defensive graft” of the player is “not
common”. Leeds were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when James tussled with
Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong and both went to ground. “It’s a pen”,
screamed the fallen James.
The Yorkshire club remained largely on top for the rest of
the half. Watford had been sloppy and disjointed, struggling to counter-attack
against Leeds’ energy – and it did not get much better in the second half. More
rain lashed down at half-time, but Leeds were not thrown off their stride,
although they could not find a second goal to relieve the pressure. After the
own goal was disallowed, Leeds came closest to making it 2-0.
Foster fumbled the ball, Tyler Roberts struck one effort
that was blocked by Kucka, then the Wales forward followed up with another shot
that hit the bar. The missed chances following a dominant display did not come
back to bite Leeds this time, though. “I have the impression we did not lose
our calm,” Bielsa said.
Xisco Munoz, the Watford head coach, argued back at a
suggestion that it was his side’s worst performance of the season. “I don’t
agree with you,” he said. “It’s true that the first half wasn’t good, but the
second was a little more. We knew the intensity of them (Leeds). They played
very well.”
