ZCZC
BSP-01
FBL-ENG
Leeds back on top of Championship, Rooney scores for Derby
LONDON, Jan 29, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Leeds returned to the top of English
football’s second-tier after comingback to two goals down to win a dramatic
match with Millwall 3-2 at Elland Road as Wayne Rooney scored his first goal
for Derby County.
Leeds appeared destined for a fourth straight defeat in all competitions
when visitors Millwall led 2-0 at the interval.
But Marcelo Bielsa’s side hit back after the break with three goals in 15
minutes, Patrick Bamford’s double bookending an effort by Pablo Hernandez.
Bielsa, however, refused to credit his half-time team talk for Leeds’
revival.
“It’s not what I said which provoked the change,” insisted the veteran
Argentinian manager.
“Maybe the match looked like it was strange, but it’s a copy of all our
matches. A lot of chances to make three goals, the opponent’s goals were
similar to what we normally concede.”
Shaun Hutchinson’s header had given Millwall an early before Jed Wallace’s
penalty doubled their advantage following Ezgjan Alioski’s challenge on Jon
Dadi Bodvarsson.
But then came Leeds’ fight-back, with Bielsa’s men leapfrogging West Brom
into top spot after the Baggies slipped to a 2-1 defeat by Cardiff.
Callum Paterson scored for Cardiff early in the second half before the
experienced Charlie Austin equalised with a penalty following a foul by Jazz
Richards on Filip Krovinovic. Lee Tomlin’s free-kick, however, restored
Cardiff’s lead and extended West Brom’s winless league run to seven matches.
Only the leading two clubs at the end of the regular season are guaranteed
a place in the lucrative Premier League next term, with the third promotion
place decided by play-off matches involving the next four teams in the table.
Rooney opened the scoring for Derby but it was not enough to prevent a 3-2
defeat by basement club Luton Town.
The Manchester United great, also England’s record goalscorer, broke the
deadlock in the 63rd minute yet the Hatters still won for the first time
since December 7.
Elsewhere, third-placed Nottingham Forest closed the gap on West Brom to
two points as Joe Lolley’s first-half goal secured a 1-0 win at Brentford,
who remain fifth.
Bristol City made it three straight victories courtesy of Jamie Paterson’s
second-half goal in a 1-0 win at Reading.
Jamal Lowe’s last-minute header saw Wigan to a 2-1 victory over Sheffield
Wednesday and there was similarly late drama as Steve Mounie’s stoppage-time
header ensured Huddersfield beat Hull by the same score.
BSS/AFP/AU/08:55 hrs