Marcelo Bielsa praises the raucous Leeds fans for their role in helping the team come from behind to draw with Everton at Elland Road… with Kalvin Phillips saying that the game showed how much the supporters had been missed
- Goals from Mateusz Klich and Raphinha helped Leeds come from behind to draw
- Marcelo Bielsa said the supporters at Elland Road ‘helped us keep fighting’
- Kalvin Phillips also hailed the impact of fans after their long-awaited return
- Everton boss Rafael Benitez believes that his side should have won the match
Manager Marcelo Bielsa hailed the loud-and-proud Leeds fans before hinting that this season’s lenient refereeing could benefit his attacking side.
Leeds twice came from behind to draw an entertaining match against Everton, with goals from Mateusz Klich and Raphinha.
Bielsa, who is accustomed to raucous fanbases after time with huge clubs in Argentina, Spain and France, was quick to point to the atmosphere as a driving factor for a hard-fought point.
The Leeds supporters were in full voice as they finally returned to Elland Road in large numbers
Marcelo Bielsa praised their impact as the team were forced to come from behind twice
‘The game was a big test for the team and this was multiplied as we were behind twice,’ he said.
‘To be able to draw and dominate for so many moments are aspects of great value. The contribution of the fans always makes the game better. They helped us fight back today.
‘We didn’t start well in the second half and we were punished by going behind once again. We ran the risk of conceding more goals. But the fans helped us keep fighting.’
Euro 2020 star and Leeds academy graduate Kalvin Phillips also paid tribute to the supporters
Kalvin Phillips, the England star dubbed the Yorkshire Pirlo, agreed. ‘The fans showed us how much they’ve missed us and we’ve really missed them. Having a full crowd is like an extra man.’
Bielsa added: ‘Referees seem more lenient this season. We are quick and if there are less stops, this could be good.’
Rafael Benitez thought Everton should have won. ‘We should have put the game away at 2-1. We were so close to winning but I am pleased with the result,’ he said.