How Marcelo Bielsa’s heartfelt pre-match team talk inspired Leeds United to rediscover winning ways at Newcastle United

After a fraught start to 2021, compounded by an embarrassing FA Cup exit at Crawley and a poor home performance against Brighton, Leeds headed to Tyneside with some pressure on their shoulders following their most disappointing sequence of the campaign.

An individual who is analytical and studious in his assessment of players and teams and obsessed with the finer details head coach Bielsa instead spoke from the heart to his players ahead of kick-off at St James’ Park and it reaped an in-character response from Leeds, who triumphed 2-1.

The visitors took the lead courtesy of a 17th-minute strike from Raphinha and dominated the first half.

Newcastle pushed further forward on the resumption and levelled in the 57th minute through Miguel Almiron, but Leeds restored their advantage soon after with a fine strike from Harrison, who admitted confidence had taken a dent ahead of Tuesday’s encounter.

Harrison said: “It can do that sometimes, but the manager talked to us as a team before the match about having personality and character.

“When you face adversity like that, it can help you to improve. That was his team talk before the match and we went into this game with a lot of grit and fight and we showed that going into the end.

“Coming into it, we knew it would be a challenge for us. We have been preparing all week for this and we knew how important it was to come out strongly and we did that.

“Teams like Newcastle can give you a lot of problems up front. I thought we did well to come away with three points.”

The match was ultimately decided by an excellent half-volley just after the hour mark from Harrison, who finished in style following a perceptive pass from the impressive Raphinha.

It followed his majestic, late long-range effort in the reverse fixture at Elland Road in December, with Harrison now having four for the season.

On his latest strike against the Magpies, the 24-year-old added: “I don’t know what it is, but I will try and keep doing them.

“It was a great ‘switch ball’ from Rafa (Raphinha). I was quite tired at the time, but I just thought to try and get a shot off on target and, luckily for us, it went in.”

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