Owen Hargreaves says 25-year-old Leeds ace will 'help keep them up'

Owen Hargreaves has told Premier League Productions that Leeds United ace Raphinha “will help keep them up”.

The pundit was speaking after the 25-year-old opened the scoring for the Whites at Watford in the Premier League.

Raphinha gave Leeds the lead in the 21st minute, curling a superb effort into the near corner from just outside the box.

Hargreaves, speaking at half time, described the Leeds star’s goal as “absolute perfection”.

“Wand of a left foot,” said the former England international.

“You cannot let him in a position like this. Absolute perfection and he can keep them up. He’s on fire.”

Raphinha’s goal gave Leeds an important cushion, though the Whites didn’t make the result safe until later on.

The Whites were under pressure at various times in the game, and it looked as though Watford could get back into it.

However, a mix-up involving Hassane Kamara and Samir helped Jesse Marsch’s side make it two on 73 minutes.

The ball ricocheted into the path of Rodrigo Moreno, who held his nerve to round Ben Foster and double Leeds’ advantage.

And five minutes from time, Jack Harrison put the win beyond doubt with a fierce drive into the far corner.

The Whites made it four games unbeaten and three wins in four with their 3-0 win at Vicarage Road.

Leeds are now nine points clear of the bottom three and are nearly over the line in terms of Premier League safety.

The Whites are next in action on Monday 25 April away at Crystal Palace in an 8pm kickoff.

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