Leeds United 3-2 Millwall: Patrick Bamford scores twice in comeback win
Leeds United scored three times in 15 second-half minutes as they came from two goals down to beat in-form Millwall and move to the top of the Championship.
The visitors went ahead through Shaun Hutchinson’s close-range header and sent shockwaves around Elland Road when Jed Wallace doubled their lead from the spot after Jon Dadi Bodvarsson was brought down by Ezgjan Alioski.
Home fans vented their frustration towards referee Darren England at the break after they felt some decisions went against them, but Patrick Bamford soon tapped home a rebound to pull one back.
Leeds piled forward and a deflected Pablo Hernandez strike saw them level before Luke Ayling crossed for Bamford to power home a diving header and seal a first victory in 2020.
Defeat for West Bromwich Albion at Cardiff City means Marcelo Bielsa’s side are two points clear, despite recording only their second win in eight league games, while Millwall’s first defeat in six sees their play-off ambitions dented.
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Gary Rowett’s Lions started with purpose, Ryan Woods shooting over before Hutchinson was allowed to nod home at the back post, with Leeds goalkeeper Kiko Casilla rooted to his line.
Stuart Dallas forced two smart saves from Millwall keeper Bartosz Bialkowski – in his first game since sealing a permanent move from Ipswich – before the game’s most controversial moment.
Leeds players thought Woods had run the ball out of play but no whistle was forthcoming, with Iceland striker Bodvarsson drawing a foul from Alioski – starting in place of the suspended Kalvin Phillips – and Wallace drilling home his 10th goal of the season.
With no goal in three matches and new striker Jean-Kevin Augustin only watching from the stands, there was a feeling the hosts may struggle to recover, but Bamford stood up to lead a high-intensity revival.
The former Boro man was on hand to net after Bialkowski saved brilliantly from Jack Harrison and an equaliser was inevitable, though there was a hint of fortune about Hernandez’s 20-yard effort, which crept into the corner.
Leeds kept pushing forward in the closing stages – Helder Costa curling against the bar and Mateusz Klich somehow blazing over from eight yards – as their opponents ran out of steam.
Line-ups
Leeds
Substitutes
Millwall
Substitutes
Match Stats
Live Text
Match ends, Leeds United 3, Millwall 2.
Full Time
Second Half ends, Leeds United 3, Millwall 2.
Booking
Patrick Bamford (Leeds United) is shown the yellow card for dangerous play.
Dangerous play by Patrick Bamford (Leeds United).
Bartosz Bialkowski (Millwall) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Leeds United. Jamie Shackleton replaces Pablo Hernández.
Hand ball by Jed Wallace (Millwall).
Corner, Millwall. Conceded by Liam Cooper.
Attempt blocked. Jed Wallace (Millwall) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Matt Smith with a headed pass.
Attempt missed. Murray Wallace (Millwall) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
Attempt missed. Ezgjan Alioski (Leeds United) left footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by Jack Harrison.
Corner, Leeds United. Conceded by Connor Mahoney.
Jack Harrison (Leeds United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Mahlon Romeo (Millwall).
Attempt blocked. Pablo Hernández (Leeds United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Patrick Bamford.
Attempt missed. Patrick Bamford (Leeds United) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Stuart Dallas with a cross.
Substitution
Substitution, Millwall. Matt Smith replaces Tom Bradshaw.
Attempt missed. Mateusz Klich (Leeds United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Jack Harrison.
Foul by Jack Harrison (Leeds United).
Mahlon Romeo (Millwall) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Pablo Hernández (Leeds United) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Jack Harrison.
Ezgjan Alioski (Leeds United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Connor Mahoney (Millwall).
Attempt saved. Hélder Costa (Leeds United) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Mateusz Klich.
Attempt missed. Pablo Hernández (Leeds United) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
Liam Cooper (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Tom Bradshaw (Millwall).
Substitution
Substitution, Millwall. Connor Mahoney replaces Jón Dadi Bödvarsson.
Substitution
Substitution, Millwall. Shane Ferguson replaces Alex Pearce.
Attempt saved. Jón Dadi Bödvarsson (Millwall) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jake Cooper.
Goal!
Goal! Leeds United 3, Millwall 2. Patrick Bamford (Leeds United) header from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Luke Ayling with a cross.
Attempt missed. Tom Bradshaw (Millwall) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Mahlon Romeo with a cross.
Booking
Pablo Hernández (Leeds United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Pablo Hernández (Leeds United).
Jayson Molumby (Millwall) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Goal!
Goal! Leeds United 2, Millwall 2. Pablo Hernández (Leeds United) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner.
Jack Harrison (Leeds United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Shaun Hutchinson (Millwall).
Attempt saved. Jack Harrison (Leeds United) left footed shot from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Pablo Hernández with a cross.
Attempt missed. Patrick Bamford (Leeds United) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Ezgjan Alioski with a cross.
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