Leeds Crash To Another Defeat

Simon Grayson rang the changes for the New Year's Eve clash with Barnsley. Mika Vayrynen came in for Adam Clayton, Ramon Nunez replaced Robert Snodgrass after the Scot underwent an appendix operation, and Andy Keogh came back in for Luciano Becchio.The changes enabled Grayson to switch back to his favoured formation of two wide men - Nunez and Ross McCormack - with Vayrynen playing in an advanced midfield role.And it was United who had the first sight of goal inside eight minutes when Keogh sent a shot fizzing inches wide after good build-up play by Michael Brown and McCormack.Danny Pugh also went close for Leeds on the quarter-hour when he tried his luck with a strike from distance which went just wide.But it was 1-0 to Barnsley moments later when home substitute Ricardo Vaz Te scored witrh his first touch after shrugging off the attentions of two Leeds defenders before delivering a cool finish.United's response came courtesy of Nunez, who saw a shot from distance turned around the post by Luke Steele. McCormack and O'Dea were also thwarted with their backs to goal as the game headed past the half-hour mark with Leeds looking for a leveller.The home side also looked to attack, though, and Craig Davies wasted a good opportunity when he fired high over the top after some good build-up play.
When United came forward three minutes before the break, Steele had to get down well to save from Keogh. The home keeper was also called upon to save from Nunez when the Honduran tried his luck from distance.United resumed the second period by having the first raid, but it was Barnsley's Matt Done who had the first shot of the half when he had an effort deflected wide.
But Vaz Te made no mistake for the visitors when he found acres of space to convert a ball into the box into the far corner on 51 minutes.And it got worse on the hour when Davies smashed home a third goal with a clinical strike which left Andy Lonergan with no chance.United were rocking now as the hosts looked to ram home their advantage, and Vaz Te completed his hat-trick on 72 minutes when found more space down the Barnsley left and was able to tuck the ball beneath Lonergan.Leeds almost salvaged some pride shortly after, but Kisnorbo had a header clawed off the line and O'Dea's follow-up clipped the bar.But Lonergan was called upon to save well from Miles Addison, who fired through a ruck of players, as Barnsley still looked to further their advantage.Home goalkeeper Steele was bizarrely named man of the match, and to celebrate he made a good save to deny McCormack with three minutes left on the clock.United did bag a consolation in stoppage time when Luciano Becchio headed home a free-kick but it was too little too late.

Leed United Facing Tough Test

Leeds United will be bidding to scale an emotional backdrop to tonight’s npower Championship clash at Nottingham Forest to get their promotion drive back on track.Still stunned by the sudden death of former player Gary Speed, Leeds and their Forest hosts will wear black armbands in the player’s memory and there will also be a minute’s applause agreed by Forest before the kick-off. Boss Simon Grayson, who signed professional forms with the Whites 25 years ago on the same day as Speed, said: “Speedo was a true friend and a very, very popular man.

“He was such a popular person and this is a difficult time for everyone.”

Grayson has to try to lift his own spirits and that of a club thrown into mourning by the death, at the age of 42, of Speed.

And he has to also inspire his men to quickly erase the memory of their dispiriting Yorkshire derby defeat at home to Barnsley, which left the Whites totalling a mere two points from their last four games on home turf.

In contrast, Leeds’ spirited away form has been the reason why they remain in fifth place and well among the promotion pack.

Honduran striker Ramon Nunez will be pushing for a start after he came on for the ineffective Sam against Barnsley, while Andy Keogh will seek the same after he replaced Luciano Becchio, whose form has dipped.

Match Report Birmingham 1 Leeds 0

Simon Grayson made one change to the side which beat Peterborough on Saturday with Robert Snodgrass replacing Mika Vayrynen in the starting line-up.United were seven unbeaten going into the Blues clash while the home side were six unbeaten in all competitions and it was a meeting of two in-form sides.Birmingham had won at Bristol City on Sunday, and it was the home side who started the brighter of the two with Chris Burke looking lively down the right.But it was United who fashioned out the first chance on 11 minutes following a great build-up involving Darren O'Dea, Andy Keogh, Danny Pugh and Ross McCormack before Robert Snodgrass slid a shot wide. It was a terrific pattern of play from Leeds.At the other end, Burke found space again down the right, but Jonathan Spector was unable to connect with his cross despite a diving header.
Yet, despite looking a little off the pace, United still created the better chances, and after winning a couple of corners, Adam Clayton tested Boaz Myhill with a glove-stinging strike from distance which forced a terrific save from the home goalkeeper.Moments later, McCormack had a shot deflected wide while, on the break, Jean Beausejour had a low effort saved by Paul Rachubka.But it was Birmingham who went 1-0 up in the 36th minute. The ball initially came out from the home defence and after it came into the Leeds boss from the right, and wasn't cleared, Nikola Zigic was able to finsh off an untidy goal to give the hosts the advantage. Zigic was also denied by Rachubka in stoppage time.Leeds did threaten before half-time when Paul Connolly whipped in a cross from the right which was turned for a corner, From the set-play, Keogh headed over the bar. Connolly had to alert at the other end on the stroke of half-time to deal with Marlon King cross when Zigic was again closing in.The hosts, who were well organised and hard working, but with no real sparkle, started the second half in similar fashion with Leeds struggling to win possession and giving Birmingham too much of the ball.As the game ticked past the hour mark, Leeds were becoming starved of chances against a home side who were working hard and looking to move the ball quickly. The Blues moved the ball from back to front at pace, and Zigic almost profited from one such move when he fired wide.When the home side threatened again, Darren O'Dea hacked the ball away from King for a corner, but Leeds were slowly starting to show some urgency. Luciano Becchio and Lloyd Sam both came on as Grayson looked to shake things up a little, the latter coming on with just over 15 minutes left on the clock.Mika Vayrynen was also introduced with 14 minutes left, replacing Adam Clayton in the United midfield.United were hanging on the game in the hope of salvaging something, and Snodgrass tried his luck with a shot which went wide on 82 minutes.
Leeds were looking livelier and McCormack tested Myhill again with a vicious strike which the keeper had to make an instinctive save, palming the ball over the bar. There were also calls for a handball when a O'Dea fired in a far post header which was scrambled clear.In the final minute, the two substitutes combined, but Vayrynen couldn't keep his header from a Sam cross. Aty the other end, Rachubka had to make a great save to deny Zigic in stoppage time.
But it was to prove a frustrating evening for a Leeds side who never really go going against an average Birmingham outfit, and the unbeaten run came to an end in the West Midlands.

Striker deal considered

Leeds are preparing an offer for Wolves striker Andy Keogh to extend his loan deal at Elland Road or make a possible permanent move.The striker appears to have a limited future at Molineux when all of Mick McCarthy's men are fit which is why he was dispatched to the Championship to get some football under his belt.He has excelled at Leeds though, although he has only netted twice, and their boss Simon Grayson is already considering extending his loan deal.Asked if he would like to keep Keogh, Grayson said: "It's a possibility."That would really be down to Mick McCarthy and Wolves, depending on what they want to do with him."Mick wanted to get him out on loan to give him some games and get him in the shop window but he might look at what Andy's done here and think 'we'll have him back in January'."The better he does for us the more it's something we'd like to consider but it's probably too early to think about that yet."He's got better and sharper and, as I've said before, he's doing something right because he's keeping (Luciano) Becchio out of the team."

Match Report Doncaster 0 Leeds 3

Leeds United moved into the top six for the first time this season with a classy demolition of Yorkshire neighbours Doncaster Rovers.Striker Ross McCormack was the star of the show, scoring a brilliant overhead kick for Leeds that confirmed his status as the leading goalscorer in the Championship.McCormack has now bagged 10 goals in 13 appearances this season – the sort of form that will attract the attention of Scotland manager Craig Levein.Danny Pugh and Tom Lees scored the other goals as Leeds underlined their intention to push for promotion to the Premier League this season.Buoyed by a return of 10 points from their previous four games, and roared on by nearly 4,500 vociferous supporters, Leeds looked extremely high on confidence.

Even the addition of former England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland and West Ham United defender Herita Ilunga to the Rovers’ line-up could not prevent defeat.Midfielder Robert Snodgrass had recovered from the ankle injury which led to his withdrawal from Scotland’s Euro 2012 qualifiers against Lichtenstein and Spain allowing manager Simon Grayson – in his 150th match in charge of Leeds – to name the side which had inflicted defeat on Portsmouth before the international break.Rovers defender Richard Naylor, released by Leeds last summer, sent Ross McCormack tumbling to the deck early on prompting shouts for a penalty in the Leeds technical area.Referee Kevin Friend ignored the appeal and that of Billy Sharp soon after when nudged in the back by Leeds defender Darren O’Dea.Leeds took the lead with 20 minutes gone when Pugh, on loan from Stoke City, scored for the second game in a row.Rovers defender George Friend had been penalised near the corner flag for a push on McCormack and Pugh volleyed home the subsequent delivery from Snodgrass.Leeds broke regularly at speed from midfield – exposing a shortage of pace in their opponents – but they were often let down by a poor final ball.Kirkland, who had not played first-team football since January, was rarely tested before the interval apart from with the goal.However, he still showed a good pair of hands to hold a well-driven 25-yard free-kick from McCormack. Striker Jon Parkin glanced a header wide for Rovers but it was a rare scare for Leeds.Five minutes after the break, McCormack doubled Leeds’s advantage with a stunning overhead kick.The Scot had his back to goal when receiving the ball from Andy Keogh 10 yards out but leapt acrobatically to volley over his shoulder and into the roof of the net.

Things got worse for Rovers on 64 minutes when Leeds defender Lees rose to head in Snodgrass’s corner.
Leeds suffered a late injury blow when goalkeeper Andy Lonergan had to come off following a tangle with substitute James Hayter.Striker Keogh then rattled the crossbar as Leeds threatened to rub salt in the wounds.The majority of the home supporters had gone long before the final whistle.While they will never forget the memory of beating Leeds in a League One play-off final four years ago, it is now 60 years and eight games since they enjoyed a home win over their rivals from West Yorkshire.

Snodgrass 50-50 for Rovers clash

Leeds winger Robert Snodgrass is hoping to shake off an ankle injury in time for Friday night's clash at Doncaster.Snodgrass was forced to withdraw from the Scotland squad last week due to a problem aggravated in Leeds' 1-0 win over Portsmouth in their last match, but the Scot could still play a part in the Yorkshire derby.
Manager Simon Grayson has no other new injury or suspension concerns and expects all his international players to be in contention.Central defender Darren O'Dea and striker Andy Keogh have reported back fit from Republic of Ireland duty while forward Mikael Forssell and midfielder Mika Vayrynen were scheduled to return to training on Thursday having featured for Finland in their Euro 2012 qualifiers against Hungary and Sweden.
Left-back Aidy White has been away with the Republic of Ireland Under-21s and fellow defender Charlie Taylor is hoping to be in the squad having been included in Noel Blake's England Under-19s squad for a tournament in France.

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Match Report Brighton 3 Leeds 3

Ross McCormack snatched an equaliser deep into stoppage time as Leeds stopped Brighton returning to the top of the npower Championship in a topsy-turvy encounter at the Amex Arena.The Seagulls were in action two nights previously against Liverpool in the Carling Cup and, despite manager Gus Poyet making five changes to his staring line-up, they looked weary as Leeds raced into a two-goal lead courtesy of first-half goals from Andy Keogh and McCormack.But a magnificent piece of individual skill from Craig Mackail-Smith reduced the arrears moments after the interval and the Scotland international then won the penalty from which Ashley Barnes netted his seventh goal of the season.Barnes turned provider as Mackail-Smith finished from close range with six minutes to play.But McCormack intervened to check a remarkable Brighton comeback.In the third minute, some slack marking from Danny Pugh – making his second debut for Leeds following his move from Stoke this week – might have given Brighton the lead.From Craig Noone’s corner Inigo Calderon escaped Pugh to head down for Barnes to thrash over.But Leeds were soon into their stride and, after Robert Snodgrass and Adam Clayton went close, the latter had a hand in the opening goal in the 18th minute.Full back Aidy White cut back from the left to Keogh, who found Clayton on the edge of the area. The midfielder’s shot was blocked but ricocheted into Keogh’s path and he slotted home his first Leeds goal.It was two six minutes later when McCormack turned to unleash a superb left-foot drive into the bottom corner from 25 yards for his eighth goal of the season.Less than two minutes after half-time Brighton were back in the contest. Mackail-Smith collected Barnes’ pass from the right and produced a sublime drag back and turn before coolly stroking into the bottom corner.Leeds were now the team under pressure and Leigh Bromby was the man to buckle, inexplicably scything down Mackail-Smith in the box with an hour played.
Barnes netted from the spot – then Calderon and Barnes combined to leave Mackail-Smith with a simple finish.

But Simon Grayson’s men dug deep and McCormack slammed home from Jon-athan Howson’s cutback.

Match Report Leeds 4 Hull City 1

Simon Grayson was forced into changing his starting line-up once again with Jonny Howson and Max Gradel both suspended, and Leigh Bromby injured.Aidy White made his first start of the season, at left-back, Darren O'Dea moved to centre-back, Ramon Nunez lined up on the left of a four-man midfield and Andy Keogh came in for his debut up front alongside Ross McCormack.Keogh, on loan from Wolves, almost made an immediate impact when he got a touch on a Robert Snodgrass free-kick and Paddy Kisnorbo saw his header cleared away. Moments later, Snodgrass tested Peter Gulacsi with a stinging shot.United also carved out an opening on the counter after Andy Lonergan collected a corner and moved the ball out quickly. Nunez raced away and fed McCormack, whose shot was deflected to safety by Joe Dudgeon.
Lonergan was again showing good command of his area and when Hull won a corner, Kisnorbo doing well, the keeper punched clear.United should have gone ahead on 15 minutes. Nunez beat Gulacsi from distance, but the shot came off the underside of the bar and McCormack was unable to keep his follow-up header down.

Moments later, McCormack was celebrating, though, when he got on the end of a Snodgrass cross and followed up his initial header, which was parried, to make it 1-0 to Leeds. It was United's first goal from open play in the league and was a well worked affair with the striker showing good instinct.
While McCormack was delighted to get off the mark, Keogh was also looking a threat and he curled a shot wide within three minutes of Leeds taking the lead.
United were dealt a blow on 21 minutes, however, when a cross came in from the Hull right and Tom Lees poked the ball into his own goal. Lees was unfortunate in that there was a Hull man coming in at the far post, and the defender had to make contact with the cross.
The equaliser saw the game level out somewhat after United's early domination, and Lonergan had to collect a couple of balls into the box after Hull got themselves in good wide positions.
United did have another opportunity leading up to half-time when Keogh again did well and McCormack saw his shot blocked by James Chester, but the goal did come moments later.

It was Lees who was the scorer when he blasted the ball home from the edge of the box on 40 minutes after Gulacsi failed to hold a ball into the box. It was the defender's first goal for the club.
United also had the ball in the net two minutes before the break when McCormack delivered a great finish - but his effort was ruled out for offside.
And Leeds had the ball in the net at the start of the second half and there was no doubt this time. Snodgrass was the scorer with a free-kick which he bent around the Hull wall.
It was the perfect start to the half and gave Leeds a two-goal cushion in a game for the first time since March.
Unsurprisingly, Hull looked to show some urgency after the goal, but United were looking fairly comfortable. When Aaron McLean got an opportunity in front of goal on the hour, Lonergan proved equal to the header and made another good save.
At the other end, United carved out a decent opening and Nunez fired over the bar from distance.
The Honduran made no mistake on 69 minutes when he got on the end of another flowing move forward and hammered the ball beyond Gulacsi to make it 4-1.
United were virtually home and hosed, although the visitors didn't give up the ghost and Matty Fryatt spooned a decent chance over the top for Hull. McLean also fired wide with a first time effort.
The final 15 minutes or so were a test for United to ensure no further goals were conceded as the visitors looked to salvage some pride from the contest.
But Leeds were always in with a chance of adding to the tally, and Snodgrass grazed the bar on 85 minutes with a shot from just outside of the box.
And that was virtually it as United eased towards a confidence boosting first league victory of the season, although Adam Clayton almost rounded off another fine performance at the heart of the midfield by adding a fifth, but he was denied by a Hull defender when the goal was beckoning.

Leeds United V Hull City Pre-View

Leeds' new loan signing Andy Keogh is expected to go straight into the starting line-up.The 25-year-old Republic of Ireland international, signed initially on loan until January, is a likely starter as manager Simon Grayson is still without strikers Luciano Becchio, Billy Paynter and Davide Somma, while winger Max Gradel is suspended.Becchio (hamstring) and long-term absentee Somma (knee) have yet to play this season and Paynter missed out on Saturday with a thigh strain.Leeds will also be without suspended skipper Jonny Howson. The midfielder and Gradel were both sent off during Saturday's home defeat to Middlesbrough for two yellow card offences and will sit out respective one-game bans.Grayson could turn to Ramon Nunez and Lloyd Sam, who both stepped off the substitutes' bench against Middlesbrough, while young defenders Tom Lees, 20, and Zac Thompson, 18, will be hoping to feature again after making their debuts at the weekend.

Hull manager Nigel Pearson will pick from a virtually full-strength squad.

Defender Liam Rosenior (knee), striker Dele Adebola (back) and Aaron Mclean (calf) all returned to action as the Tigers secured their first win of the season at Ipswich.

Rosenior started at Portman Road and is expected to retain his place, while Adebola and Mclean were both late substitutes' and may have to settle for a place on the bench again.

Assistant manager Craig Shakespeare said: "There's a few aches and pains and niggles, but they all reported in [on Sunday].

"They'll train again and there are a couple who might just do a bit less, but we'll wait and see how they are on Tuesday morning."

Defender Paul McShane (calf) and winger Cameron Stewart (knee ligaments) are still unavailable.