Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch has hailed the 'belief and commitment' that his team showed in their thrilling 4-3 comeback victory against Bournemouth at Elland Road.
The West Yorkshire outfit managed to claim their second successive Premier League win after securing a dramatic 2-1 victory against Liverpool at Anfield last weekend.
Bournemouth appeared to be heading for all three points as goals from Marcus Tavernier, Philip Billing and Dominic Solanke put the Cherries into a comfortable lead after Rodrigo had netted an early opener from the penalty spot for the hosts.
However, strikes from Sam Greenwood and Liam Cooper restored parity for Leeds midway through the second half before Crycensio Summerville – who scored a late winner at Anfield – netted in the 84th minute to snatch all three points, sparking scenes of bedlam inside Elland Road.
Indeed, Leeds came back from a two-goal deficit at Elland Road to avoid defeat in the Premier League for the first time since they also won 4-3 against Liverpool 20 years and one day ago.
Victory for Leeds has seen them climb up to 12th in the table, three points above the relegation zone, and Marsch has praised his side's work ethic in digging deep to secure three hard-fought points.
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"The first half wasn't our best. We tried to change a few things during the half and then some changes at half time, and we believed we could still win the match," Marsch told BBC Match of the Day.
"We dug a bigger hole to go down 3-1 and then it was about staying on the team to systematically try to get back into the match, stay disciplined with the tactics and then the subs came on to make the big difference. We were able to find the winner at the end.
"From my first day here, what you see is real belief and real commitment and a real understanding that it takes every ounce of our being to compete and be good in this league. We still have a long way to go to consistently be the team that I want us to be but in the meantime we know that we have commitment."
Marsch added: "I actually think that all the times we give up goals we are being too passive and not aggressive enough. It is converse to what you may think and about tactical discipline, understanding roles and then committing to them at the highest level. The opponents in this league challenge you at the highest level with that.
"The fans have the right to opinion and emotion. We all do. The sport requires that. My focus is entirely on making sure the group is strong. At half time I said to them not to be phased by the negativity in the stadium and stay focused on the tactical aspect of what we are trying to bring, get into the game more and more and we will win. We did that.
"Sam Greenwood comes on and plays really well to get the goal. [Wilfried] Gnonto is a spark within our team at the moment. He plays really mature and the play to set up the fourth. And of course Cry Summerville continues to grow and get better. We have a lot of good young players and we need to continue to invest in them."
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Summerville expressed his delight to come away as the match winner once again, and believes that 'sticking to the match plan' was key to their success against the Cherries.
"It was a bit sloppy in the first half but we rebuilt it in the second. You can see as a group we believe and we fight for each other. You can see in the second half, it was just crazy," the 21-year-old said.
"I just keep working hard. The team is good and the spirit is good so we just have to keep going now. You have to stick to the match plan and you will get back to how you usually play. In the first half we were sloppy and not doing the things we were meant to be doing.
"I don't think I can say it [what Marsch said at half time], but I can do it in my words. If you stick to the match plan and do what we usually do then we are going to win this game.
"It was the last home game [before the World Cup] and the crowd is like the 12th man. Leeds United is incredible and the crowd give a lot. We have to keep building the momentum. I am looking forward to Wolverhampton Wanderers now [in the EFL Cup]."
Indeed, Leeds will now turn their attention to next Wednesday's EFL Cup third-round tie away at Wolves, before travelling to Tottenham Hotspur next weekend for their final Premier League fixture before the World Cup break.
Oliver Thomas
