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Over the years, the Premier League has been blessed with great striking partnerships.
From Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp to Dwight York and Andy Cole, there have been a fair share of standout duos who made a career off working together to terrorise opposing defences.
At Leeds United, the performance of wingers Jack Harrison and Raphinha in the 2-1 victory over Sheffield United in the Yorkshire derby on Saturday afternoon, further demonstrated the benefits of having two players on the same wavelength.
Harrison, who is on loan from Manchester City for a second season, scored the opener in the 12th minute with the simplest of tap-ins, poking home Raphinha’s squared ball from four yards out after dancing past an onrushing George Baldock.
The pair then played their part in the second and most decisive Leeds goal early in the second half as the Englishman’s menacing delivery into the Blades box forced defender Phil Jagielka to turn the ball into his own net with Raphinha lurking at the back post.
The winner awarded Harrison his thirteenth goal contribution of the season and the 25th for the duo, meaning they have now directly contributed to over half of Leeds’ goals this campaign (47).
Goals and assists in the Premier League this season:
13 ??????? • James Maddison
12 ??????? • JACK HARRISON
12 ??????? • James Ward-Prowse
09 ??????? • Mason MountFirst season in the top flight. #LUFC pic.twitter.com/skCjXnOLU5
— Joe Donnohue (@JoeDonnohue) April 3, 2021
In his post-match press conference, Marcelo Bielsa was pleased with Harrison’s improved performance following a dip in form, saying:
“In the last two games he has had a bigger increase in his performance, today he had a lot of influence, he was decisive and in the game against Fulham as well. He’s a player who when he manages to play at his best version, can play at the best of his game.”
As for the summer signing from Rennes – which many are considering the bargain of the window as the Brazillian signed for just £17m – he was largely unplayable at times, completing the most dribbles (six) and most chances (five) of the match.
Of his 25 appearances in English football so far, a fixture has rarely gone by him where he has not produced a moment to lift supporters off their seats – albeit at home. This is represented in the Brazilian’s 28 chances created in his last eight games and according to Understat, ranks top for expected assists per 90 minutes (0.49).
In the Amazon Prime studio after the match, all-time leading Premier League goalscorer Alan Shearer waxed lyrical about the 24-year-old’s display :
“He’s very good on the ball, but what impresses me also is his work-rate, the ability for him to get back and help out, do his bit defensively. He had a very, very good game today – as did Harrison on the other side.”
Raphinha’s game by numbers vs. Sheffield United:
29 final third passes
9 attempted take-ons
6 successful take-ons
5 ball recoveries
4 chances created
3 shots
1 assistSuch a joy to watch. ?? pic.twitter.com/AD3SchAMwF
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 3, 2021
With the silverware that all-time Premier League duos have in their cabinets aside, Harrison and Raphinha’s partnership is still in its infancy. Their influence in Leeds’ attack and subsequent good form this season is indisputable.
For Harrison, a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for European Championships this summer looks unlikely, even though his seven goals and five assists are better than Chelsea’s Mason Mount, who has six goals and three assists, and Manchester City’s Phil Foden, who has six goals and five assists so far.
Raphinha is also without an international call-up, however admits his focus is on club rather than country but still dreams of putting on the Selecao shirt.
With the Whites now sitting 10th in the table, Bielsa’s men look more than safe of the drop as they ticked over the 42 point mark. Yet the season run-in for Leeds is a tough one with games against Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham within their next five fixtures.
Though with the current form of Harrison and Raphinha, the Yorkshire team are more than capable of achieving a strong league finish.
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