Leeds shock highflying Everton

Neil Warnock was forced into making a number of enforced changes due to injury with Paddy Kenny, Lee Peltier, and Adam Drury all missing out on the starting line up due to injury. Aidy White was one of those players recalled to the starting line-up and he fired Leeds ahead inside four minutes. The youngster showed great skill to beat two men in the middle of the park and was allowed to advance before drilling the ball home for a stunning individual strike. It was a wonderful effort, coming after Rodolph Austin won the ball, and was a great start for Leeds against the Merseysiders. United played some good stuff early on and looked to pressure the Premier League side. Everton were clearly unsettled after the goal and were on the back foot. The pressure won United a free-kick on the edge of the box shortly before the half-hour, and Michael Tonge sent the shot just wide of the upright. As the game headed towards half-time, United threatened to open up Everton again, and White forced another save out of visiting goalkeeper Jan Mucha. There was also an injury stoppage before the break when Jason Pearce needed bandaging up after a head collision. In first half stoppage time, Luciano Becchio thought he had scored with a header, but the ball was cleared off the line. United were good value for the lead, and started the second half on the front foot, El-Hadji Diouf drilling in a low early cross. Sam Byram also sent a shot just wide after more good work. But Everton did create a good chance shortly before the hour when Victor Anichebe did well out wide to pick out Steven Naismith, but his far post header was wide. Anichebe also sent a shot fizzing across the goal-line. When United came forward again, Austin won a free-kick on the edge of the box. When the set-piece was taken, Danny Pugh drilled it into the box, and Austin got the decisive touch to turn the ball home. Everton's response came when a long range shot from Marouane Fellaini called Jamie Ashdown into action for the first time, and the United keeper made a great block. But still United continued to press and Byram won a corner after more good work in the box. The visitors did throw themselves a lifeline with 10 minutes remaining, though, when Sylvain Distin looped a header over Ashdown from a free-kick into the box.David Moyes' men pushed forward desperately and were unlucky not to get a spot-kick when Victor Anichebe was bundled over by Jason Pearce, but Leeds deservedly clung on.

Warnock puts Rogers and Pugh on Transfer List

Leeds United manager Neil Warnock has placed Robbie Rogers and Danny Pugh on the transfer list.The boss has said he is looking to move players out in his bid to assist with a move for another striker, and the duo join Billy Paynter, Paul Rachubka, Paul Connolly, and Ramon Nunez in being available for transfer.“You have to look at what you can do,” said Warnock. “We’re looking at forward players and it might be that we have to move one or two on, so we’re going to circulate the names of Robbie Rogers and Pughy on the transfer list.”

Leeds United Squad Numbers Announced

Leeds United have announced the squad numbers for the coming season with six new recruits figuring in the first 11 numbers.Paddy Kenny has been given the number one shirt, Adam Drury wears three, Jason Pearce will wear five, Paul Green gets the number seven shirt, Rodolph Austin will be eight, and Luke Varney has been allocated 11.Tom Lees also steps into the first 11 numbers with the number four shirt while Luciano Becchio retains the number 10.Aidan White will wear 14 for the new season while Andy Gray is 18 and David Norris 19. Michael Brown will wear number 21 this season and Zac Thompson has been given the number 23 shirt.
Ross McCormack will wear his favoured number 44.

1 PADDY KENNY
2 
3 ADAM DRURY 
4 TOM LEES 
5 JASON PEARCE 
6 
7 PAUL GREEN 
8 RODOLPH AUSTIN 
9 
10 LUCIANO BECCHIO 
11 LUKE VARNEY 
12 JAMIE ASHDOWN 
13 
14 AIDAN WHITE 
15 
16 DANNY PUGH 
17 
18 ANDY GRAY 
19 DAVID NORRIS 
20 
21 MICHAEL BROWN 
22 ROBBIE ROGERS 
23 ZAC THOMPSON
24 PAUL CONNOLLY
44 ROSS McCORMACK

Late goals sink ten man Leeds

Leeds United manager Neil Warnock hailed the effort of his ten-man side, who held out until six minutes from time before two goals from substitute Adam Le Fondre put Reading top of the table.The United manager was left to rue the red card shown to Zac Thompson for a wild lunge on Jobi McAnuff after only 12 minutes – but he insisted the crime did not merit its punishment.“We had the best chances,” he said. “I can’t ask any more. I thought they were fantastic today under the circumstances. We had a makeshift team and to have a man sent off so early on made it even harder.“I thought he was unlucky. The trouble is he set off with two feet but he’s landed two or three feet before.“What the assessor’s saying is if two feet are off the floor it’s a red card but he’s not hurt the kid.”Leeds’ Danny Pugh was fortunate not to also see red before the first half was up, as his studs-up challenge on Jem Karacan went unnoticed by referee Darren Drysdale.Warnock admitted: “I thought Pugh’s tackle was far worse. I thought Pugh should have got sent off.”Leeds dealt well with their one-man disadvantage and held Reading until the 84th minute, when Le Fondre chested home Hal Robson-Kanu’s headed centre.The forward notched again five minutes later, again from close range, to seal a victory Reading boss Brian McDermott admitted his team had worked hard to get.“We just had to keep going,” he said. “Leeds knew what they were doing today, and their manager knew what he was doing, so it was very difficult for us.”He paid tribute to the impact made by substitute Adam Le Fondre. The former Rotherham man’s last five strikes in Reading colours have all come in appearances from the bench but McDermott insisted he has not pigeon-holed the 25-year-old as a super-sub.

“If you want someone to score a goal for you to win a game, we’ve got the perfect man and he’s done it again today,” he said.

Match Report:Crystal Palace 1-1 Leeds United

Robert Snodgrass stepped off the bench to rescue a point for Leeds against 10-man Crystal Palace just over two weeks after undergoing surgery on his appendix.

The Scotland international, a surprise inclusion in the Leeds squad, struck from close range in the 63rd minute to cancel out Chris Martin's early opener for Palace.

The hosts played the second period with 10 men after striker Sean Scannell had been sent off on the stroke of half-time for a second yellow card.

It was the second game running Leeds had come from behind against 10 men after Ross McCormack's stoppage-time winner against Burnley in their last league outing, but today's point did little for either side's npower Championship play-off aspirations.

Palace, with one eye on Wembley in the Carling Cup, have won just three of their last their last eight league games and have dropped to 13th place, while Leeds slipped to 11th, albeit just one point adrift of the top six.

Palace wasted little time in picking up where they left off in their Carling Cup semi-final win over Cardiff on Tuesday night - Anthony Gardner's goal gave them a slender lead to take into the second leg - to take a sixth-minute lead.

Martin cut inside on the left side of the penalty area and arrowed an angled shot into the bottom corner beyond Leeds goalkeeper Andy Lonergan for his second goal of the season.

Leeds spurned their best chance when unmarked midfielder Danny Pugh lashed Adam Clayton's corner over the crossbar from six yards.

Julian Speroni then pulled off two fine saves in quick succession to keep his side ahead.

The Palace keeper smothered Clayton's effort from inside the area and then parried defender Tom Lees' shot in the 36th minute.

Palace were reduced to 10 men on the stroke of half-time. Scannell, already booked for a foul on Andros Townsend, was shown a second yellow card by referee David Coote for his clumsy challenge on Pugh.

Returning Ross McCormack's close-range effort was blocked by Paddy McCarthy and Speroni saved again, from Lees' header, as the visitors looked to make their extra man count after the break.

Leeds manager Simon Grayson sent on Snodgrass for defender Aidy White in the 56th minute and was rewarded seven minutes later.

McCormack slipped the ball to his fellow Scot inside the box and Snodgrass tucked the ball into the bottom corner from six yards.

Republic of Ireland defender Paul McShane, signed on loan from Hull this week, made his Palace debut when replacing Mustapha Dumbuya in the 67th minute.

But Leeds continued to press. Snodgrass, Pugh and Clayton were all off target with long-distance efforts, while Speroni denied Leeds an 86th-minute winner when keeping out substitute Mikael Forssell's close-range shot.

Match report: Leeds United 0-1 Reading

Simon Grayson shuffled his pack for the visit of Reading. Andy Lonergan returned to the starting line-up for the first time since October after injury while Michael Brown and Ross McCormack also won recalls.Sadly, Lonergan's first taste of the action was to pick the ball out of the back of the net after Simon Church latched on to a long ball forward and lifted the ball home from the tightest of angles.It was a good finish, but a simple route to goal, and United were suddenly playing catch-up. The response was good with Leeds coming back out of the traps quickly and Reading were immediately put under pressure.But Reading went close again on the quarter-hour when Jobi McAnuff cut in from the right and blazed a shot wide of the mark.And Lonergan was called upon to make a good save low to his left on 20 minutes before Aidy White scrambled the ball away for a corner.On the half-hour, United won a free-kick when McCormack was brought down by McAnuff on the edge of the box, but the resultant set-piece was twice blocked by the Reading defence.The visitors did close go with a free-kick before the interval when Kaspars Gorkss headed over the top, and in the final moment of the half McCormack headed into the arms of Adam Federici.There were no changes for either side at half-time as United went in search of a route back into the game.The opening stages of the second period were a tight affair with United struggling to make any real headway against a well organised Reading side.United fashioned out a chance on 59 minutes when Danny Pugh, Robert Snodgrass, and Paul Connolly all combined well before a cheeky back-heel from Adam Clayton was smothered by Federici.On 65 minutes, Grayson made a triple change for United with Lloyd Sam, Andy Keogh and Mika Vayrynen all joining the fray.Keogh was the first sub to have any involvement when Paddy Kisnorbo headed on a Snodgrass free-kick, and the Irish international tried a spectacular effort which he couldn't quite pull off.There was a scramble on 74 minutes when both Luciano Becchio and Sam were denied by some good defending, but Reading's response was a quick break which put Leeds on the back foot.
Reading goalkeeper Federici had to react well to clear from Snodgrass on 80 minutes and Pugh followed up with a shot that was deflected wide, but the visitors remained strong and organised as the clock started to tick down.The final 10 minutes or saw offered little in the way of a route back for Leeds, as the visitors edged towards victory.Four minutes of stoppage time offered United a glimmer of hope, but there was to be no way back for Grayson's men as Reading picked up all three points.

Match Report Leeds 1 Portsmouth 0

Simon Grayson welcomed Paul Connolly back to his starting line-up for the first time since August on a day when the weather was more suited to the height of summer than the 1st of October.Leigh Bromby dropped to the bench with Tom Lees switching to centre-back. Paddy Kisnorbo missed out due to illness.The recalled Connolly almost carved out the first chance of the game when he sent in a good cross from the right, and Joel Ward had to clear the danger.Another cross from the right caused problems when Ross McCormack was denied after a good ball by Robert Snodgrass. That proved the cue for successive corners, and United went in from the second of those.Snodgrass was the provider with a good delivery and Danny Pugh found space to head home into an empty goal to put Leeds ahead.Snodgrass was causing all sorts of mayhem down the right and his next mazy run resulted in a low ball being drilled just wide of the upright.The opening half-hour was all Leeds, and Pugh went close again when he had a shot deflected wide.But the visitors did carve out an opening when Andy Lonergan was called upon to make a terrific save to claw a Greg Halford header away. When the ball was pumped back in, Halford again got up well, and his header rattled the woodwork.

But Leeds responded with McCormack sending a in a low ball and Tal Ben Haim had to clear over his own bar.
It was a good opening half from Leeds, who consistently looked a threat, particularly down the right with Snodgrass, and McCormack causing problems.
Adam Clayton was also busy in the middle of the park and he tried his luck with one effort which flew over the top.
Portsmouth offered little, but Jason Pearce led claims for a penalty when he went down as a ball came into the box, and Lonergan had to get down well to save one free-kick which was driven past the wall.
United's lead was well deserved at the interval, but the opening moments of the second period were always going to be vital in the quest for a fourth successive home league win.
And it was the visitors who opened up brightly, Liam Lawrence looking lively on the right, but Leeds were soon back on the front and Jonny Howson almost picked out Clayton with a ball into the box.
United fashioned out a half-chance on the hour when Pugh sent in a decent cross for Keogh, but the striker had to react under pressure and turned his shot wide.
With 22 minutes remaining, Grayson made his first change, introducing Luciano Becchio for Keogh.
The second half was more of a war of attrition than anything with little in the way of any clear cut chances being created. Leeds were holding the upper hand as the game entered the final 15 minutes, though.
Joel Ward did lift a shot over the bar for the visitors on 75 minutes after the visitors threatened and moments later Grayson made his final changes, bringing on Finnish duo Mika Vayrynen and Mikael Forssell for the impressive Snodgrass and McCormack.
As the game headed towards the final whistle, Forssell and Becchio linked up well and the Finn forced a great save from Stephen Henderson to thwart a certain goal.
Forssell also picked out Howson in the first minute of stoppage time, but Henderson got down well to deny the United captain.
At ther other end, Lonergan had to scramble back to tip over an audacious attempt from Lawrence and United had to deal with the corner before going on to record a fourth successive home league win, and a first clean sheet of the season.

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.

Leeds Sign Pugh

Leeds United have signed Stoke City utility man Danny Pugh on loan with a view to a permanent transfer.
The 28-year-old returns to the club after a five-year spell that took in Preston North End and Premier League Stoke.Danny, who was the club's first signing following our relegation from the Premier League in 2004, made 57 appearances for Leeds between 2004 and 2006, scoring six goals.Danny was a regular during his first season, but found appearances restricted in 2005/06 and he moved to Preston that summer before joining Stoke two years later, who he helped reach the Premier League.Danny, who has made 213 career appearances, can play anywhere on the left side of the park and has also played in central midfield.
"We're delighted to bring Danny to the football club," said United boss Simon Grayson.
"He is a versatile player and he is an experienced player, who has played in both the Premier League and the Europa League with Stoke.
"He also knows the Championship well and he knows this club very well. Two or three other clubs were in for him, but he jumped at the chance to come here.
"This was a deal we almost did on deadline day with some of the money that is available, but Tony wanted to keep him at Stoke a while longer, so we've brought him in on loan in the first instance and will make it permanent in January."

Istanbul and Munich:25 Dead and still they Chant

Pugh Deal Close

Leeds were still trying to finalise a deal last night to bring Stoke City midfielder Danny Pugh back to Elland Road.Pugh, 28, spent two seasons with Leeds after joining the club in 2004 from Manchester United.
He was sold to Preston North End for £275,000 and joined Stoke two years later for £500,000, where he is now surplus to requirements.Leeds manager Grayson is keen to sign Pugh ahead of tomorrow night’s game at Brighton knowing his arrival will strengthen competition at left-back, left-wing, and in the centre of midfield.He has been omitted from Stoke’s squad for both the Premier League and the Europa League this season.