Pascal Struijk reveals his thoughts on halting Sheffield United’s unbeaten streak

Leeds United returned from the international break with a crucial 2-0 win over Sheffield United at Elland Road on Friday night, a key victory against a fellow promotion contender.

After a goalless first half, Leeds took control in the second. Pascal Struijk broke the deadlock in the 69th minute and Mateo Joseph sealed the win with a second goal in the 90th, securing all three points.

Illan Meslier bounced back from the Sunderland draw with a strong performance, earning a clean sheet. Leeds have drawn with West Bromwich Albion, Norwich City, and Sunderland this season, while losing to Burnley, so this win over a promotion rival is a big confidence boost.

Pascal Struijk talks about handing Sheffield United’s first loss of the season

Heading into the match against the Yorkshire side, the Blades had an impressive nine-match unbeaten streak. Nonetheless, that ended on Friday with the victory, and Struijk commented on what it meant for the squad to secure an impressive result.

“Six clean sheets, five wins and one draw, I think it speaks for itself. They are a really good side,” Struijk said after the victory (h/t Yorkshire Evening Post).

“The chances that usually they would create normally like sometimes on the counter attack they will be really sharp, we were really good today. Our counter press was top and as well working as a team as a whole.

“We really work very hard defensively and that means everybody, it starts from the front, all the way to the back so I have to give the team a lot of credit for this. We work hard. We knew that they were going to be solid as well, but if we don’t give away chances it’s hard to concede goals.”

Moreover, Struijk noted that this result boosts the team’s confidence, especially after the surprising draw against Sunderland.

“The confidence with us in the group is already high,” An unfortunate goal before the international break shouldn’t really change what we did in the game there. We played really good football. We’re solid as a team defensively so especially if we win these games, especially a local derby like this, then confidence can only go higher.”