Marcelo Bielsa needed his team to halt a three-match losing run against another relegation-threatened team and they succeeded after a mighty hard win over Burnley. Goals from Jack Harrison and Stuart Dallas on either side of a Maxwel Cornet strike, as well as a late Daniel James header, were enough to warrant three points for the Whites under a rain-soaked Elland Road.Both Leeds and Burnley are having a much more difficult season compared to where they were a year ago, and at least one of these teams will be worried about their Premier League survival until the end. After tonight’s result, it’s Burnley who find themselves in the bottom three.Stuart Dallas today becomes the first Leeds United player to reach 250 appearances for the club since Lucas Radebe in November 2003. #lufc pic.twitter.com/wAqKxNeNYN— Jonny Cooper (@JRCooper26) January 2, 2022 Jack Harrison gave Leeds a deserved lead when he fired past Wayne Hennessey at the second attempt following a run down the left. It wasn’t pretty, but Bielsa and the home crowd didn’t care one bit.Chris Wood had a glorious chance to make it 1-1 just before the break, but he blasted over the bar when played in perfectly by Charlie Taylor.Maxwel Cornet was missed badly by boss Sean Dyche and he announced his return from injury by getting off the bench to fire a spectacular curling leveller for the visiting team. But this day was for the Whites.
Raphinha had a great chance to restore his team’s lead, but the Brazilian side-footed wide from a good position. But Stuart Dallas, on the day he made his 250th appearance for the Elland Road club, made no mistake just a minute later. He fired a terrific left-footer that found its way through a crowded box and into the back of the net.Former Manchester United starlet Daniel James banished any nerves for the home fans with an added-time header that slipped through the arms of Hennessey to condemn Dyche’s boys to a prolonged stay in the relegation zone.Leeds can breathe a bit easier, having opened an eight-point gap between themselves and the drop zone.PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 21SaturdayArsenal – Manchester City 1-2 (1-0)/Saka 31 – Mahrez 57 pen, Rodri 90+3/Watford – Tottenham 0-1 (0-0)/Sanchez 90+3/Crystal Palace – West Ham 2-3 (0-3)/Edouard 83, Olise 90 – Antonio 22, Lanzini 25, 45+5/Leicester – Norwich POSTPONEDSundaySouthampton – Newcastle POSTPONEDBrentford – Aston Villa 2-1 (1-1)/Wissa 42, Rasmunssen 83 – Ings 16/Everton – Brighton 2-3 (0-2)/Gordon 53,76 – Mac Allister 3,71 Burn 22/Leeds – Burnley 3-1 (1-0)/Harrison 39, Dallas 77, James 90+2 – Cornet 54/19:30: (2.75) Chelsea (3.35) Liverpool (2.75)Monday20:30: (1.63) Man.Utd. (3.80) Wolverhampton (6.75)***odds are subject to change