Bielsa explains Raphinha’s half-time withdrawal in Leeds’ clash with Everton

By Conor Laird

Published: February 12, 2022 5:41 pm

Last Updated: February 12, 2022 5:53 pm

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has provided an insight into his decision to haul star attacker Raphinha off prematurely in the club’s meting with Everton.

And the Whites faithful will no doubt be baffled to hear that, in fact, the Brazilian’s withdrawal did not come owing to any form of fitness problem.

Instead, as confirmed by Bielsa during his post-match press conference, Raphinha was simply hooked in a bid to add some fresh impetus to a disappointing attacking display:

Bielsa on the withdrawal of Raphinha at half-time. “I decided that Daniel James should take over his role on the right and Tyler Roberts take over in the centre. He is not injured.”
🚨 t.co/cckOHhGs0b #LUFC
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) February 12, 2022

Keane amongst the goals

The half-time efforts of Leeds’ boss to turn the tide back in his side’s favour, however, in the end, proved to be in vain.

This comes with the Yorkshire outfit having been out-thought, out-fought and frankly out-played en route to an eventual 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Frank Lampard’s revitalised Everton.

Goals from defenders Seamus Coleman and Michael Keane saw the Toffees race out to a two-goal advantage inside the opening 25 minutes of action on Merseyside, before Anthony Gordon added some gloss to the scoreline late on, courtesy of a 3rd for the hosts.

Sorry, @richarlison97. Our third goal has been credited to @anthonygordon.
But you already knew that, didn’t you, Ant? 😎 pic.twitter.com/wYrExmsKUh
— Everton (@Everton) February 12, 2022

Everton, in turn, have added some much-needed breathing space between themselves and the Premier League’s relegation zone, now sitting five points clear of 17th-placed Norwich City.

Not only that, but the Blues have climbed to within a solitary point of Leeds, despite having played a game less than Marcelo Bielsa’s troops.