Aaron Ramsdale labelled our defensive performance as “outstanding” as he dug deep to seal a seventh-straight victory and beat Leeds United 1-0.
Bukayo Saka’s first-half strike grabbed all three points, but equally important were the contributions at the other end, including our shot-stopper who made some crucial saves throughout the encounter to keep his clean sheet intact.
And while he admits it wasn’t our most fluid football on display at Elland Road, Aaron believes that grinding out a win with our backs against the way is equally satisfying.
Speaking post-match, he said: “As a whole, as a collective, we were outstanding defensively. A 1-0 win away from home at Leeds is a really tough ask, and we’ve done that.
“Of course we want to win 3-0 each week, passing the ball, but we found a way to win today and that’s the most important thing. But collectively, I was shanking balls left right and centre. Bukayo got a goal, but couldn’t get him into the game. We were just losing duals and stuff, but like I say from back to front the whole game we were outstanding defensively.”
As well as seeing Patrick Bamford miss a penalty, Ramsdale made a number of top stops, denying Pascal Struijk from close range in the opening 45 minutes before making himself big to deny Bamford as he raced through on goal.
That particular save put him in pain as he was struck in a sensitive area, but he was delighted to suffer to help the team claim a ninth win from their opening 10 top-flight games for the first time in our history.
When asked about his best save, he said: “The one with my nuts maybe? Although it took a big effect on me, I’m still feeling a bit sick now!
“I’m just thankful I was there today. I have been very critical of myself over recent games from the start of the season where goals have gone in, and there’s questions to be answered the following day. So to help the team out today was great.
“It’s just one of those emotions where now we’ve set our bar so high, standards-wise of how we want to play, and we didn’t reach that. But the overriding emotion is elation because we got three points and a 1-0win away from home.”
Hear more from Aaron by pressing play on the video above
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