Leeds missed out on automatic promotion to the Premier League as Marcelo Bielsa insisted that fair play was more important than a victory for his team on an extraordinary afternoon against Aston Villa at Elland Road.
A 1-1 draw meant Leeds’ Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United secured promotion, but Bielsa will draw praise for his actions after Mateusz Klich put the Whites in front in hugely controversial circumstances.
The home side played on as Villa’s Jonathan Kodjia lay injured and Klich turned the ball in. But after furious Villa protests and a mass melee, which included a red card for Villa defender Anwar El Ghazi, the visitors were allowed to walk in an equaliser and Albert Adomah obliged.
Leeds captain Pontus Jansson almost intervened to stop Adomah scoring, as he appeared to disagree with his manager’s decision.
The draw halted Villa’s 10-game winning run, and the sides could yet meet again in next month’s play-off final.
Villa served early warning of their excellent current form with Andre Green and Kodjia both heading narrowly off-target.
Leeds should have taken a ninth-minute lead though. Luke Ayling’s cross found its way to Jack Harrison in the penalty area and the winger mishit his shot from six yards.
Ahmed Elmohamady put in a timely block to deny Harrison at the far post soon after as Leeds began to hit their stride.
Adam Forshaw lashed a shot from the edge of the area over the crossbar, but Villa responded through John McGinn’s flicked header, which was well saved by Leeds goalkeeper Kiko Casilla.
Referee Stuart Attwell incensed the home crowd and the Leeds bench with several contentious decisions, with skipper Liam Cooper and later Bielsa both booked.
Stuart Dallas crashed a low shot wide after another spell of concerted Leeds pressure before the break, but the first half ended goalless.
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Leeds picked up where they left off in the second period after injured defender Dallas and Harrison were replaced by Gaetano Berardi and Tyler Roberts.
Forshaw fired inches wide, while Villa midfielder Jack Grealish was wayward with a free-kick before Kodjia spurned a golden chance for Villa when he blazed over from inside the box.
Pablo Hernandez went close after trying his luck from 25 yards but both sides lacked composure with the goal in sight.
The game’s key talking point then occurred, with El Ghazi’s red card looking extremely harsh as replays suggested his elbow barely made contact with Leeds’ Patrick Bamford.
Leeds were unlucky not to snatch a winner in the closing stages as substitute Roberts’ shot was blocked before Villa goalkeeper Jed Steer brilliantly saved from Hernandez’s shot.
Marcelo Bielsa appeared to insist Leeds allow Aston Villa to equalise in remarkable Championship scenes at Elland Road. Sheffield United's promotion to the Premier League was rubber-stamped on
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Leeds United 1-1 Aston Villa: Sheffield United promoted as
Leeds United 1-1 Aston Villa: Sheffield United promoted as Marcelo Bielsa lets visitors equalise in remarkable scenes Sunday, 28 April 2019 ( 3 weeks ago ) Sheffield United have been promoted to the Premier League after Leeds United and Aston Villa played out a quite remarkable 1-1 draw at Elland Road.
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Leeds United allowed Aston Villa to score a goal uncontested after a brawl broke out in the wake of the Whites taking the lead at Elland Road. Marcelo Bielsa ordered his players to allow Albert
Leeds United 1 Aston Villa 1: Bielsa gesture secures Blades promotion Marcelo Bielsa appeared to insist Leeds allow Aston Villa to equalise in remarkable Championship scenes at Elland Road.
Leeds United 1-1 Aston Villa: Sheffield United promoted as
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unexpected Bielsa decided to retain his values of good sportsmanship at the cost of ending the Whites' hopes of automatic promotion Sheffield United have been promoted to the Premier League after Leeds United and Aston Villa played out a quite remarkable 1-1 draw at Elland Road.
Leeds United 1-1 Aston Villa: Sheffield United promoted as
Leeds United's hopes of automatic promotion to the Premier League this season are over after manager Marcelo Bielsa sportingly allowed Aston Villa to score an uncontested goal in a remarkable draw
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Leeds United 1-1 Aston Villa: Sheffield United promoted as Marcelo Bielsa lets visitors equalise in remarkable scenes Bielsa decided to retain his values of good sportsmanship at the cost of
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Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has explained why his side let Aston Villa score a goal in their heated Championship match. Leeds 1 - 1 A Villa - Match Report & Highlights Aston Villa were allowed to walk the ball into the net after a controversial Leeds United opener as the sides played out a bizarre 1-1 draw in the Sky Bet Championship.
Leeds United let Aston Villa score on Marcelo Bielsa's orders
Sheffield United's promotion to the Premier League was rubber-stamped on Sunday after Leeds United drew 1-1 at home to Aston Villa, with Marcelo Bielsa seemingly ordering his side to allow the visitors to walk in their equalising goal.
Leeds United Let Aston Villa Score After Controversial Lets
Leeds United 1-1 Aston Villa: Sheffield United promoted as Marcelo Bielsa lets visitors equalise in remarkable scenes Sunday, 28 April 2019 Sheffield United have been promoted to the Premier League after Leeds United and Aston Villa played out a quite remarkable 1-1 draw at Elland Road.
Leeds United 1 Aston Villa 1: Bielsa gesture secures Blades
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