Match Report: Leeds United 4-0 Birmingham City

Striker Ross McCormack inspired a first-half demolition of Birmingham as Leeds strolled to back-to-back home Sky Bet Championship wins. Leeds were out of sight by half-time as they found the net three times, firstly through McCormack after 18 minutes. The Scotland international, who missed last week's World Cup qualifying win over Croatia, then played a major part in the next two goals from Rodolph Austin and Matt Smith. Smith added a fourth in the 74th minute to ensure his side's 4-0 win. McCormack was twice the victim of desperate saves by Birmingham goalkeeper Darren Randolph before making it third time lucky in the 18th minute. Randolph rushed out of his goalmouth but his attempted clearance cannoned off Leeds captain Austin to McCormack who shot into the unguarded net from 20 yards for his sixth goal of the season. With both teams using wing-backs there were forays galore down the flanks. Leeds goalkeeper Paddy Kenny was twice relieved to see shots by winger Chris Burke zip just wide of the far post and Lee Novak had a goal disallowed for offside. The energetic McCormack felt Dan Burn had fouled him inside the box but his claim for a penalty was waved aside by referee Paul Tierney. McCormack was involved again when Leeds doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute. Austin picked McCormack out on the left with a superb pass from inside his own half before sprinting into the goalmouth to send a downward header past Randolph from the Scot's deep cross. Then, on the stroke of half-time, Smith released McCormack whose shot was parried by Rodolph back to Smith and the former Oldham striker reacted quickly to fire home Leeds' third. Birmingham manager Lee Clark replaced defender Burn and striker Novak with Andrew Shinnie and Nikola Zigic at the start of the second half, but Leeds continued to create openings and Austin shot straight at Randolph when he should have scored. With Shinnie improving Birmingham's midfield play, the visitors were unfortunate not to cut the deficit three times in a five-minute spell. Tom Lees made a goal-line clearance to deny Burke, Kenny brilliantly tipped over a sizzling drive by Zigic and David Murphy smacked a free-kick against the near post. Leeds survived again when Sam Byram cleared Burke's angled shot off the line but with 74 minutes gone Austin and youngster Alex Mowatt combined on the left for Smith to head his second goal and Leeds' fourth. Austin received a deserved ovation on being replaced by Michael Brown just before the final whistle. Birmingham were left glancing over their shoulder at the relegation places while much-improved Leeds completed their biggest home win since a 4-0 victory over Shrewsbury Town in the Capital One Cup first round in August 2012.

Match Report: Birmingham 1-0 Leeds

Brian McDermott suffered his first defeat as Leeds United manager when the Whites went down 1-0 at Birmingham to a second half goal from Hayden Mullins. The result ended any last lingering hopes of reaching the Npower Championship play-offs, but scores elsewhere ensured that United were safe from relegation, which was McDermott’s first aim when he took over. After victories in the new manager’s first two games and encouraging performances, Leeds faced their first away game under McDermott and struggled to get going initially at St Andrews. The first chance fell to Birmingham and United were fortunate to survive when Ravel Morrison hit the woodwork. Leeds went close soon after as Rodolph Austin’s strike from distance was spilled by keeper Jack Butland and Luke Varney’s follow-up was blocked. Michael Tonge saw an effort tipped over by Butland and Ross McCormack was also denied by the England man while at the other end Morrison went close again for the hosts. In the second half it was United’s turn to be denied by the woodwork as McCormack’s free-kick clipped the top of the crossbar. McCormack went close twice more and Sam Byram hit an effort into the side netting after Butland had fumbled a McCormack cross, but Birmingham’s goal survived intact and it was they who came up with the winner. This time it was Paddy Kenny’s turn to parry a Nathan Redmond strike and the ball fell to Mullins, who was able to find the net from close range. Leeds looked to hit back, but never went closer than in the 76th minute when Butland saved well from Austin and it was a familiar tale of woe from them on their travels this season as they failed to halt their poor away record.

Birmingham 1-2 Leeds

Leeds United set up an FA Cup tie at home against Tottenham after coming from behind to beat Birmingham 2-1 in their third-round replay. Wade Elliott put Birmingham ahead shortly after the half-hour mark, just as he had done in the initial meeting which finished 1-1 10 days ago. But once again Leeds levelled after the break, this time courtesy of Ross McCormack's first goal since September - an effort which had not looked like coming with 19-goal striker Luciano Becchio, a reported January transfer target for a handful of clubs, missing due to illness. El-Hadji Diouf, celebrating his 32nd birthday, then quickly completed the turnaround, keeping his cool to chip home from the penalty spot after Paul Robinson had been penalised for handball. It means Leeds will now host Spurs in the fourth round of the competition in a televised clash next Sunday, denying cash-strapped Birmingham the chance to pick up a welcome sum in the region of £200,000. United's first win at St Andrew's since 1996 also provided them with their 100th in FA Cup history and sealed progress from the third round for only the second time in 10 years.

FA Cup Leeds 1-1 Birmingham

Luciano Becchio was Leeds’ saviour once more as his second-half goal against Birmingham kept Leeds in the FA Cup. The in-form Argentine scored his 19th goal of the season on the hour to cancel out Wade Elliott’s opener and keep Leeds in with a chance of making the fourth round, although a replay was the last thing either manager wanted. Both Neil Warnock, absent through sickness, and City counterpart Lee Clark have long injury lists to deal with and could have done without another game. The goals were the only real high points on an otherwise forgettable afternoon, with clear-cut chances at a premium. The visitors took the lead on 33 minutes after Elliott finished a surge forward with a blistering 25-yard drive. Nathan Redmond might have extended their lead but his shot went narrowly over, and the near-miss soon came back to haunt City as Becchio found his range on the hour, neatly slotting under Doyle after David Norris showed good feet to send him clear.Leeds coach Mick Jones said: “We spoke to the manager on loudspeaker at half-time and he made the decision to change the team based on what he heard on the radio coverage he was listening to.“We’ve had a lot of illness and had to sit some players out. “We’re hoping that we will be clear by the time we get back to the league games.” The game, a pretty dismal affair in front of just 12,000 fans at Elland Road, was marred by a serious leg injury to Birmingham’s Will Packwood who collapsed under an aerial challenge. “Will Packwood’s early diagnosis is a break to both tibia and fibula,” said Blues boss Clark. “His young team-mates were in bits, in tears on the pitch. We will give him the best care possible and look after him. I heard the snap and it was a right downer. Even experienced Leeds players like Michael Brown told me it was horrendous.

Leeds 0-1 Birmingham

A strike by Leroy Lita was enough to ensure Lee Clark had the happiest of 40th birthdays as his Birmingham City side claimed all three points at Elland Road. The Blues striker struck with 14 minutes remaining to condemn a lacklustre Leeds United to a first defeat in seven Championship outings. United could have few complaints with the result after putting in another disappointing shift to slump to their first home defeat since Hull City’s triumph in West Yorkshire on September 18. The first half had been a lacklustre affair, enlivened only by the visitors’ assured look on the ball and fluid movement up front, something that led to the opening quarter belonged firmly to Lee Clark’s side. Curtis Davies should have capitalised on City’s dominance on 11 minutes when he was presented with a great chance but could only head wide. Steven Caldwell also fired over with a volley, while Marlon King – another Elland Road old boy – was only prevented from breaking clear on a couple of occasions by Lee Peltier’s last ditch tackles. It took Leeds until the 22nd minute to threaten and even then Jack Butland was able to race from his line to avert the danger after Sam Byram had exchanged one-twos with El-Hadji Diouf and Michael Tonge. Butland was rather more fortunate on 29 minutes when his legs kept out a Rodolph Austin swerving shot that had clearly deceived the England Under-21 goalkeeper. That was just about it for the first half in terms of goalscoring opportunities, though United did have one let-off when Tom Lees appeared to nudge Leroy Lita in the back as the striker rose to meet a King cross three yards out but referee Graham Salisbury waved play on. The second half started in much the same way as the opening 45 minutes had progressed with misplaced passes and poor decision making aplenty. Nathan Redmond made a hash of an attempted volley after Lee Peltier’s clearance had gone straight to the Blues midfielder. Diouf, who earlier had had a coke bottle thrown at him from the visiting seats, brought a stunning reflex save from Jack Butland on 70 minutes. Lita then put the vistors ahead with a thunderous 30-yard shot on 76 minutes after a clever dummy from King, who late on struck the bar with another fine effort.