Saturday 19 November 2011

Burnley 1 Leeds 2

Simon Grayson maded two changes to his side with Darren O'Dea returning in place of Andy O'Brien and Lloyd Sam stepping up replace the injured Danny Pugh.The game was preceeded by a minute's applause for Burnley legend and one-time Leeds manager Jimmy Adamson, who recentply passed away.As ever at Turf Moor, there was a good atmosphere with almost 4,000 Leeds fans in attendance, and the recalled O'Dea was immediately involved in the action when he had to get a vital touch on a Burnley cross into the box.But the home side were in front inside 10 minutes when Jay Rodriguez got on the end of a Keiron Trippier ball into the box and powered home a header.It wasn't a convincing start by United and, boosted by the early goal, Burnley were looking to apply the pressure and further unsettle Leeds.United did slowly regroup, but Burnley had a good opportunity on 23 minutes when Keith Treacey found himself bearing down on goal and was only denied by a good block from Alex McCarthy.There was a lengthy delay shortly before the half-hour when Burnley striker Charlie Austin fell awkwardly and was stretchered from the field. Austin was replaced by one-time Leeds loan man Sam Vokes, making his debut for the home club.United's first real opportunity came after the half-hour when Lee Grant had to come storming out of the area to intercept a ball into the box. The ball fell to Andy Keogh, but the striker was unable to get enough on the ball to lift it back over the goalkeeper. There were also suggestions of a handball by the Burnley keeper on the edge of the box as he came to clear, but no offence was given.Moments before half-time, Leeds had another scare, though, when Chris McCann sent in a terrific shot from outside of the box which only went narrowly wide.In stoppage time, Ross McCormack tried his luck with a free-kick which was curled into the arms of Grant, but it was Rodriguez who should have scored at the other end before the whistle when he was released. He escaped the United defence, but couldn't beat McCarthy.It was important United started the second half in more commanding fashion and while possession was more equal, it was still the home side who looked more of a threat and one early cross floated too close to danger for United's liking.The hosts also won a free-kick on the edge of the box before the hour, following a foul by Robert Snodgrass, and McCarthy got down well to his left to save Treacy's low strike.Grayson made a double change on the hour replacing strikers Keogh and McCormack with Luciano Becchio and Ramin Nunez.
But it was still the home side who looked the most likely and Treacy went close again with another good strike from distance.
And on 65 minutes, referee Scott Mathieson waved away strong shouts for a Burnley penalty after Marvin Bartley went down under a challenge from Aidy White.
Burnley keeper Grant was called into action on 68 ,minutes, though, when Sam drilled in a shot from a tight angle.
But United were back on level terms on 77 minutes when Robert Snodgrass arrived at the far post to convert a Sam cross.
The equaliser looked to set up a tense finale and the first chance of those vital closing stages fell to Rodriguez who volleyed over the top from close range.
At the other end, Nunez saw a free-kick deflected for a corner and when the Honduran returned the ball back into the danger zone Snodgrass was again on hand to provide a clinical finish.
It was a superb strike from the Scot and gave United the lead with just minutes remaining.
And, despite three minutes of added time, United were able to hold on to snatch a memorable victory from the jaws of defeat.

1 comment:

  1. Sam tried those crosses to the back post all afternoon, so that must have been a Thorp Arch speciality!

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