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Kieran King

National media verdict as Leeds United complete Wolves comeback in 'ill-tempered' Molineux battle

Here is a look at what the national media had to say after Leeds United's remarkable win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

'An astonishing comeback'

When delivering his verdict on the Daily Mail, George Bond was shocked that Leeds were able to complete a dramatic comeback after a disappointing first-half performances. He was also surprised that Wolves crumbled in the circumstances at Molineux.

He said: "The Leeds players that could still stand sprinted to the pile-on in the away end. At the bottom was Luke Ayling, the match winner, who had completed an astonishing comeback and put his side within touching distance of another year of Premier League football.

"They were dead and buried with half an hour left, down 2-0 to a Wolves side that had not conceded three in a match all season. It takes them seven points clear of the bottom three, which means all the more given the manner of victory.

READ MORE: Rate the Leeds United players at Molineux after dramatic Wolves comeback win

"The explosion on the bench that greeted Ayling’s goal confirmed that, with substitutes and coaches alike tearing across the turf to join in the celebrations. Among them was Kalvin Phillips, back after three months away but not fit enough to play a part here even with the injury crisis that befell Leeds.

"His return will be just as big a boost as this win. Marsch was calmer, not that anyone knew how he had kept his emotions in check as he laid down the first real marker of his tenure."

'Will live long in the memory'

In the Guardian, Ben Fisher has labelled the contest as 'ludicrous' but praised Leeds for how they fought back. He also admitted that this could be a season-defining win in the Whites' hopes of staying up.

He said: "No sooner had the fourth official, Michael Salisbury, who had the thankless task of pacifying two bickering benches throughout an ill-tempered, illogical and, frankly, ludicrous contest, indicated there would be at least eight more minutes of mayhem in this bonkers match, Leeds contrived to register one final, barmy twist.

"Luke Ayling, who had kept a hanging stoppage-time free-kick alive at the back post, lashed in from close range to cause chaos on the sidelines and pandemonium among the ballistic away fans in the lower bank of the Steve Bull Stand. Kalvin Phillips and Joe Gelhardt were among the unused substitutes who instinctively charged from one side of the pitch to the other to join the celebrations.

"It was a simply remarkable and potentially season-shaping comeback win, and a game that will live long in the memory, regardless of persuasion. It was utter chaos but Wolves, who squandered a two-goal lead, were left sick with fury.

"Raúl Jiménez’s controversial sending-off was the turning point for a Leeds team exposed in the first half by a rampant Wolves side, when goals by Jonny and the substitute Trincão, who arrived midway through the first half in place of the injured Rúben Neves, seemed destined to set Wolves on their way to a third successive victory."

'Mobbed by ecstatic team-mates'

It was an important win for the Whites after they securing another last minute winner against Norwich City last time out and Simon Stone has given his reaction on the BBC. He also delivered his verdict on Jimenez's red card.

He said: "Luke Ayling scored an injury-time winner as Leeds came back from two goals down to beat 10-man Wolves in a pulsating encounter at Molineux and move seven points clear of the relegation zone. A bizarre, bruising and breathless Premier League contest was turned on its head by Raul Jimenez's red card eight minutes into the second half.

READ MORE: Gary Neville quickly changes his Leeds United tune after 'carnage' of comeback win at Wolves

"At that point, Wolves were cruising, ahead in the game thanks to Jonny's first goal since July 2020 and a superb effort from Francisco Trincao in the 11th minute of first-half stoppage time - and facing a side forced into three injury-related first-half substitutions. But when Jimenez, who had already been booked, collided with Illan Meslier chasing a 50-50 ball, referee Kevin Friend decided the Mexican was at fault and produced a second yellow card.

"The Leeds keeper could not continue and became the fourth visiting player to be replaced because of injury, joining the the only recently returned Patrick Bamford on the bench.

"Amid the chaos, Wolves completely lost their way. Jack Harrison turned home the loose ball after Ayling had first struck a post to make it 2-1, then had the rebound cleared off the line. And three minutes later, after a Dan James effort had come back off the woodwork, Rodrigo's shot flew in as Conor Coady tried to clear off the line.

"Then, just as eight minutes of injury time was being signalled, Ayling reacted quickest as the ball bounced on the edge of the six-yard box and smashed it home before being mobbed by ecstatic team-mates."

'Truly bizarre'

Reporting for The Sun, Graham Hill has described an enthralling encounter and explained the reasoning behind Jesse Marsch and Bruno Lage's dugout scuffle. Leeds came from behind to extend the gap between them and 18th-place Watford to seven points.

"JESSE MARSCH saw skipper Luke Ayling complete an incredible comeback - as both benches squared up to each other in a crazy Molineux clash. Marsch was left in no doubt that his side have the fight to avoid the drop against 10 man Wolves who had Raul Jimenez sent off.

"And that translated on to the touchline where players and coaches clashed after Leeds’ wild celebrations. There had been a bad feeling ever since Jimenez was dismissed after an ugly collision with Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier, who was forced to come off injured.

"But Leeds made the most of Wolves being reduced to 10 men and scored twice in three minutes to level it up after Jonny Otto and Francisco Trincao appeared to have sealed the game before half-time - and put Europe-chasing Wolves back in sight of the top four. Molineux fans sang: ‘Leeds are falling apart again’.

"But Marsch’s side had other ideas - and the game swung when Jimenez was shown a second yellow card by referee Kevin Friend. And they levelled the scores with two quickfire goals from Jack Harrison and Rodrigo before Ayling fired past keeper Jose Sa to seal an amazing win.

"Marsch and Bruno Lage shook hands at the final whistle. But the first hour was truly bizarre with FIVE substitutions - four of them for Leeds, a sending off, two goals, a pitch invader and eight minutes of stoppage time thanks to a string of injuries."

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