Noel Whelan lauds Helder Costa after Leeds win at Reading

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Noel Whelan has told BBC Radio Leeds (broadcast on 26/11; 21:54) that Helder Costa proved what a good signing he could be in Leeds United’s 1-0 win at Reading on Tuesday.

The Whites have gone to the top of the Championship after a narrow victory over the Royals. It looked set to be a frustrating night for Marcelo Bielsa’s men with the visitors struggling to show some composure in the final third.

However, Leeds would snatch the three points with a decisive goal in the 87th minute. Jack Harrison bravely nodded the ball home after Costa’s cross was deflected towards the six-yard box.

Harrison may have grabbed the goal, but Costa looks set to take many of the headlines. The Portuguese came on during the first-half due to an injury to Tyler Roberts, and arguably produced his best performance for Leeds since arriving in the summer.

He caused all sorts of problems during the second-half. Leeds fans would have been forgiven for giving up hope of their side scoring. But if anyone was going to give them a chance, it was going to be Costa.

Costa’s best display?

And Whelan suggested that he showed exactly why Leeds made the move to sign him in the summer after an underwhelming start to his Elland Road career.

“A lad we all know has got an absolute abundance of talent. We haven’t seen the best of him yet, I don’t think. We’ve seen tonight that he really can be a difference,” he told BBC Radio Leeds. “He can come on and he can change a game when he plays like that and he terrorises the left-back the way he has done, putting the ball into the box from either side wherever he’s been on the field.

“We know he can do that. And tonight was just an example of what he has to offer. But we need to see that more consistently from him. That’s the issue that I’ve had since he’s come here. But when he’s at it, you can see what a handful he is and what a good signing he could be.”

It would certainly be fair to say that Costa has done enough to earn a start if Roberts is absent this weekend. He showed how much of a difference he can make.

And with Leeds looking well short of their best, Costa’s contribution has proved vital in earning the Whites what could prove to be another massive three points.