This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets…
Leeds United ensured they remained within touching distance of West Bromwich Albion at the top of the table with a 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side stayed in third position, two-points behind the league leaders, whose only defeat this campaign has come at the hands of the Whites.
All three goals in the match were scored in the first half with one man, in particular, contributing entirely towards United’s success.
Patrick Bamford scored the opener from the spot before slotting in Jack Harrison to double their lead just five minutes later.
The 26-year-old ended a lengthy drought for a striker as he netted for the first time since August when he bagged in Leeds’ 3-0 win over Stoke City.
Bamford has copped a lot of flak on social media during his barren run, such as against Preston North End, while some have constantly called for Eddie Nketiah to start over him.
But this performance goes a long way in proving his critics wrong.
Per SofaScore, the number nine also had a 93% passing success rate, recorded one key pass, and had a total of three attempts at goal. Bamford even got involved defensively as he managed two clearances and one tackle.
It would have been an enormous sense of relief to finally grab that elusive finish, which should not only boost his own confidence going forward but should also silence some of the fans that have pelted him in recent times.
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With Nketiah’s injury, Bamford is set in stone to occupy that forward role for the foreseeable future, so fans at Elland Road will have to get used to seeing his name on the teamsheet whether they like it or not.
Although, they should somewhat be buoyed by this latest showing as the 6 foot 1 man has proven precisely what he can offer to Bielsa’s side this campaign.
Never write off a player that has netted 49 goals in 137 regular-season games in this very division.
