Javi Gracia started his tenure at Leeds United with a crucial Premier League win over fellow strugglers Southampton at a packed Elland Road on Saturday.
It mattered a whole lot to the players, the fans and the new man at the helm and when a second half shot from Junior Firpo hit the net there was a mixture of elation and relief at the famous old stadium.
If ever there was a six-pointer this was it.
Leeds’ Premier League 2023 results have been poor and they started the day in 19th place with only the Saints below. A draw would have been a big disappointment and a defeat would have spelt disaster for the West Yorkshire giants. Leeds took the game to their visitors and dominated for long periods but without making many clear cut chances, though Brenden Aaranson and Jack Harrison were both lively throughout and had the Saints defence chasing shadows.
But without a goal and the tension increasing Firpo finally broke through, on 77 minutes, when he latched on to a flick from Harrison and hit his shot through the legs of Jan Bednarek and underneath keeper Gavin Bazunu to send the home fans wild and give the Whites a first win since November.
Crysencio Summerville had a great chance to tee up a second when he broke through on the right, but with the unmarked Harrison waiting for a square ball and a tap-in, Summerville went for glory and fired wide.
The 52 year old Gracia, who led Watford to the FA Cup final in 2019, was delighted with his debut win, and at home, saying: “I’m very happy because when I came I could feel people around the club really needed a good result. I think this is good for the confidence of all of us; it’s an important step.”
Leeds jumped out of the bottom three, to be replaced by Sean Dyche’s Everton who lost at home to Aston Villa.
Maddison a miss for the Foxes
Arsenal stayed two points clear at the top of the table thanks to a hard earned 1-0 win away to Leicester City. Gabriel Martinelli scored the only goal of the game, early in the second half, though Arsenal should have already been ahead but Leandro Trossard’s brilliant curling strike was ruled out by VAR… with no infringement immediately obvious. This was another big win for the Gunners who are chasing a first league title since 2004, but a worrying display from the Foxes who were without their most creative player, James Maddison.
Leicester have scored an average of 1.9 goals a game when Maddison has started and under 1.0 in those when he hasn’t. And against Arsenal the home side registered just one shot all game, and none on target. The Premier League 2023 betting odds reckon the Foxes have too much quality to take the drop, but they are certainly in the mix at the moment.
Manchester City in the Mood
There have been some suggestions in the UK media that all is not well at the Etihad and the Sky Blues, in search of a third successive title, may have lost their appetite. But in a ruthless display against Bournemouth the champions rubbished any such notion, racing into a three goal lead by the break and eventually winning 4-1.
The Bournemouth backline has been improving of late, but goals from Julian Alvarez, Erling Braut Haaland with his 27th of the league campaign, and Phil Foden in a devastating first 45 finished the game, before a Chris Mepham own goal made it four. Jefferson Lerma’s late goal gave the Cherries fans a consolation but they were brutally beaten, and City boss Pep Guardiola was a satisfied man, saying: “I’m very pleased with what I am seeing every day. The mood of the locker room is exceptional, the training sessions are really, really good.”
There will be twists and turns to come over the remaining 13 games. Here at SBOTOP we’ll be right with you every step of the way and, on this evidence the Sky Blues mean business.
Hammers can fly with Ings
Two goals from new striker Danny Ings gave West Ham United a much needed 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest to ease the Hammers’ relegation worries. Forest held out until the 70th minute but two poacher’s goals, within three minutes, from the experienced Ings gave West Ham lift-off. Declan Rice curled in a beauty from 25 yards to seal the points and Michail Antonio climbed off the bench to complete the rout.
Manager David Moyes notched up his 250th Premier League win with this result, but he’ll be more pleased that his team climbed out of the drop zone and in emphatic style.
After a decent little run Forest have lost two of the last three and, with just a four point gap separating them from the bottom three, they still have work to do if they are to avoid a swift return to the Championship.
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