‘So much strength’: BBC pundit hails £35k-a-week Leeds ace who helped his side take ‘control’ today

Sat 5 November 2022 20:15, UK

Leeds United captain Liam Cooper earn🌺ed praise from BBC Sport pundit James McFadden in the Whites’ 4-3 triumph over Bournemouth on Saturd🅺ay.

Jesse Marschಌ and his charges were booed off the pitch at half-time, relinquishing an early lead to trail 2-1.

Rodrig🌼o Moreno opened the scoring for Leeds from the penalty spot in the opening minutes of the ๊match.

However, Bournemouth equalised just four minutes later through ꦬMarcus Tavernier’s back-post finish.

The same player then provided the assist for Philip Billing to fire into the roof of the White💦s net on 19 minutes.

Things got even worse for Leeds and Marsch after the restarღt.

Tavernier got hims🌄elf a s🐈econd assist, crossing for Dominic Solanke to turn home with a neat finish.

However, Leeds didn’t lꦉet their heads drop, and launched a fightback th൲at Leeds fans wouldn’t forget.

On the hour mark, Sam Greenwood curled ho🧸me an absolutely outstanding effort from 20 y🦂ards out.

Then, six minutes later,♊ Cooper rose highest from a corner to head the home side level.

McFadden, covering the game on BBC Radio 5 Live, love😼d what he saw from the ace.

“It’s a first good ball from a set play for Leeds, s💟omething they can go and attack,” he said, via the BB🌞C Sport .

“Liam Cooper shows so much strength, high ball to the back postไ.

“He holds his man off 🧜and makes sure he gets a connection on that.

“You felt the momentum building for Leeds and they’ve no🌜w got control of this game.

Goalkeeper, no chance of keeping it out❀, it’s through his legs. It’s too quick for him to try and adjust.

“Good connection with the header from Cooper, he asked a ques💮tion of the keeper and he couldn’t answer it🌜.”

And six minutes from time, Leeds completed their♏ turnaround with a Crysencio Summerville winner.

Leed🥃s counter-attacked following a free-kick and Wilfried Gnonto did brilliantly to carry the ball.

The 19-ye🎃ar-old then 𒊎set up the Dutch winger to fire in, sending Elland Road wild.

‘Gave attackers space’

Despite his crucial goal, Cooper didn’t hav🐭e the best game on Saturday.

gave him just 5 out of 10 for his efforts against 🎀Bournemouth.

“Took his goal well, but another who struggled in the first half with Moore’s aerial pre🎐sence,” they wrote.

“Got sucked out to the🌟 left side and gave attackers space in the centre.”