Luke Ayling's late winner completes Leeds comeback after red card for Wolves' Raul Jimenez - Telegraph 18/3/22

Leeds United overcome injury setbacks to win back-to-back games to boost hopes of Premier League survival

Mike McGrath

Leeds United were bloodied and bruised but somehow produced a comeback at Molineux that was capped by Luke Ayling’s stoppage-time winner and gives them momentum for survival in the Premier League. 

Jesse Marsch’s team looked disorganised and resigned to defeat after going two goals behind and using three substitutes and a concussion replacement before the hour mark, including the loss of Patrick Bamford who was left in tears on the away bench.

There looked to be no road back for the American coach. His team were so poor for 45 minutes that their relegation rivals must have sensed them “falling apart again” as their fans ironically sing.

“We challenged them at half-time to just believe, not to give up and not to feel sorry for ourselves,” said Marsch. “I said it would be easy for us to feel sorry for ourselves. But if we could find a goal it would change the momentum of the game, and it did.”

Their lifeline came from Raul Jimenez’s red card, which left the door open in the match. Jack Harrison and Rodrigo sparked wild celebrations by turning their game around with two goals in the space of three minutes.

Ayling’s stunning winner means two late, late wins and takes them six points clear of the relegation zone but more importantly will offer belief of beating the drop, regardless of the mounting list of injured players.

With Everton winning on Thursday night, injuries hitting his team and Wolves scoring through Jonny and Francisco Trincao, it looked like Leeds would be taking two steps back after finally winning at the weekend. It was a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the evening.    

“It was about being mentally clear. This is a special group who have been through a lot but they are positive young men who work their butts off. We have a long way to go football-wise but they have a strong mentality as a group,” Marsch added.

With Raphinha also out after testing positive for coronavirus, Marsch’s problems got worse when Bamford aggravated a foot problem. As he sat on the bench Bamford looked distraught, inconsolable as Liam Cooper tried to support him with an arm around the shoulder.

Within minutes Leeds would be behind. Wolves were forced into their own substitution but their change brought the immediate reward of a goal. Ruben Neves was forced off after landing awkwardly and Trincao, his replacement, set up the opener one minute and one second later. 

Joao Moutinho found Trincao making an attacking run that caught out Leeds as they dealt with a change of shape. The on-loan Barcelona forward made his way to the penalty area before cutting back for Jonny to steer his finish into the far corner.

While Leeds lost Diego Llorente to injury and Mateusz Klich to concussion, Wolves added a second as Trincao continued to make his impact, with the second goal coming as Leeds were trying to get through 12 minutes of stoppage time to get to the interval. They switched off completely at a free-kick and Wolves passed their way through. Daniel Podence cut the ball back and Trincao curled his finish into the bottom corner.

Leeds were given hope eight minutes into the second half when Jimenez was dismissed for a second yellow card. The Mexico striker had already been booked for a first-half challenge and then collided with Meslier, forcing the goalkeeper off after taking the blow, with Kevin Friend issuing a red.

“Both players tried to win the ball,” said Wolves manager Bruno Lage.

The game turned on its head in the space of three mad minutes. Harrison pulled a goal back for Leeds when Ayling struck the post and followed up his own shot to keep the ball alive and set up his team-mate to tap in.

Rodrigo levelled after Dan James hit the bar but the still caused mayhem in the penalty area. Sam Greenwood flicked the ball to Rodrigo, who went past Jose Sa and found the net.

Heading into stoppage-time, Ayling kept in a far-post free-kick with a header, then used sheer will to forge an opening. His finish was through Sa’s legs and was more polished than his cartwheel celebration. “I tried to do the Robbie Keane but couldn’t land the cartwheel which was disappointing. I’ll have to work on that.

“It’s some buzz. We came in 2-0 behind and the lads’ heads were down but we came out and showed character. The sending off was a massive gamechanging. It is a massive three points. Huge.”