Marcelo Bielsa: Aston Villa manager Dean Smith says ‘common sense prevailed’ when Leeds United boss instructed team to allow equaliser

Marcelo Bielsa: Aston Villa manager Dean Smith says ‘common sense prevailed’ when Leeds United boss instructed team to allow equaliser
Dean Smith praised Marcelo Bielseas sportsmanship for his decision to allow Aston Villa to score an unopposed equaliser in their 1-1 draw at Elland Road.Leeds took a 72nd-minute lead in controversial fashion through Mateusz Klich after they had refused to kick the ball out of play despite Villa forward Jonathan Kodjia lying injured on the pitch.Getty4

Marcelo Bielsa instructed his team to let Aston Villa score

Villa’s players reacted furiously and in a mass melee that followed, defender Anwar El Ghazi was shown a straight red card for swinging an elbow at Leeds striker Patrick Bamford, though the contact was minimal.Chaos ensued as rival players and benches squared off in heated debate before Bielsa instructed his players to allow Villa to walk in an equaliser from the restart, with Albert Adomah tapping home an equaliser.Not all Leeds players agreed with Bielsas decision, though, as Pontus Jansson attempted to stop Adomah from scoring.Getty4

Pontus Jansson did not agree with the decision to allow them to score

“I can understand the frustration of the lad because I’ve been a player myself and that would be very difficult, when your job is to keep clean sheets and then you have to give a goal away,” said Smith.“But full respect to Marcelo and Leeds United for that because it was the right decision.“I think common sense prevailed and sportsmanship did with them allowing us to get the goal.“Klich apologised to me as he came off the pitch, saying that things like that shouldn’t happen.“I just suggested (to Bielsa) that I thought that would be a good thing and he agreed with me. I’m not sure all his players agreed.”Getty4

Jonathan Kodjia lies on the floor injured

Bielsa played down his decision to allow Villa to score the equaliser.The result ended Leeds’ highly unlikely chances of snatching automatic promotion off Sheffield United on the final day.“The facts are those which everyone could see,” Bielsa said.Getty4

Dean Smith praised Bielsa’s sportsmanship

“What happened happened and we behaved as we behaved. That’s all I can say about something which is very clear.”When asked if he had instructed his players to allow Villa’s equaliser in the interests of fair play or simply to help restore order, Bielsa said: “I don’t understand the difference. I don’t see any difference.“What happened happened and we reacted the way we reacted. You make a difference between fair play and the circumstances of the game, but for me it’s the same.“English football is known around the world for its noble features of how we play.” Bielsa appeared angry with defender Pontus Jansson, who clearly did not agree with his manager’s decision as he attempted to stop Adomah scoring.“Jansson didn’t want to obey the indication I gave,” Bielsa added. “That diminishes my authority and I don’t know what the consequences are when you lose respect from a player.

---

Eric Bailly Manchester United 'reject Arsenal move for Eric Bailly' A round up of the latest Man Utd transfer rumours as Eric Bailly is linked with a move to Arsenal and Anthony Martial latest. 1 2

---

Frank Lampard's Derby take on West Brom today Derby vs West Brom: How to listen. Full coverage from Pride Park will be live on talkSPORT 2, with our programme getting underway from 12pm. For all the build-up and commentary just click here for the live stream or click the radio player below.
Sheffield United vs Nottingham Forest live on talkSPORT 2

---

Matt Doherty scored two and created a third, to earn his side a trip to Bristol City. Wolves made several changes for a local derby of sorts but Nuno Espirito Santo's side are yet to really
Stoke - Premier League

---

Burnley 2-0 West Ham United: Clarets end losing streak with comfortable win By Steve Sutcliffe BBC Sport 30 Dec From the section Premier League Share this page Share this with Digg Facebook Google LinkedIn Reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Copy this link Read more about sharing.
Report: West Ham face Burnley battle for exit-bound Chelsea

---

Former Arsenal striker Niklas Bendtner will have to serve a 50-day jail sentence after dropping his appeal against an assault conviction. Bendtner was found guilty of beating and kicking a taxi
Nicklas Bendtner jailed: Ex-Arsenal star WILL go to prison

---

Barcelona struggle but do enough to maintain perfect LaLiga record September 16, 2017 by Football Paradise Staff Reporter 0 Barcelona extended their 100 per cent start in LaLiga as substitute Paulinho's late strike secured a 2-1 come-from-behind victory at Getafe.

---

Arsenal transfer news: Gunners face battle with Crystal Palace, Sevilla, and Valladolid for Roma striker Patrik Schick Unai Emery is looking at the forward as a possible short-term replacement for
Arsenal transfer news: Gunners face battle with Crystal

---

Meanwhile, Liverpool overcame the steepest of odds to knock Barcelona out 4-3 on aggregate, after losing the first away leg of the semi-finals 3-0. They return to the Champions League for the
List of European Cup and UEFA Champions League finals - Wikipedia

---

Harry Kane injury news: Mauricio Pochettino hints Tottenham

---

Declan Rice stresses importance of London Stadium form if West Ham want Europa League football next season Manuel Pellegrini's men are four points behind seventh placed Wolves in the Premier
Declan Rice breaks silence on West Ham - football.london

---

SHOWTIME Spurs will finally move into the new home on April 3rd and the club have asked fans to arrive as early as possible and be in on time for the pre-match show An opening ceremony will take place on April 3 ahead of the first fixture at Tottenham's new stadium against Crystal Palace, it has been confirmed.
Tottenham Will Play Crystal Palace in 1st Premier League Game

---