Match Report:Leeds 1-1 Ipswich

Brian McDermott made one change from the team that played Leicester, Luke Varney missed
out with El-Hadji Diouf starting in his place. The game was only Diouf's second appearance from the start of the season. The opening 10 minutes of the game past with little in the way of excitement as both sides struggled to gain control of proceedings. The first goalscoring opportuntity of the evening fell to the visitors. The away side worked the ball from a throw-in and Daryl Murphy played a ball forward that found David McGoldrick at the back post, the striker decided to take it first time and his strike went well wide of the mark. The pattern of the half continued in the same way until the 30th minute  when Jason Pearce was on hand to clear a McGoldrick shot. The ball was played across the box and Paul Anderson headed the ball into the striker's path but his shot lacked any pace and the ball was a simple one for the United defender to clear. The following minutes of the half belonged to the away side as they came on strong, with Paddy Kenny called into action to make a double save to keep the visitors at bay. Tom Lees also made a great last ditch tackle to thwart the Ipswich attack as they hit United on the break. United weathered the storm and had their first chance on goal in the 35th minute when Rudy Austin got on the ball just inside the away half of the field. The midfielder carried the ball forward and struck from distance, the shot troubled the Ipswich keeper but he managed to turn the ball round his post. With the half drawing to a close United's second chance of the match opened up. Good build-up play between Diouf and and Stephen Warnock led to the full-back crossing for Ross McCormack but the ball was just too high for the Scot to connect. The away side had a great chance to take the lead in the opening minute of the second half. A crossed ball was cleared but only as far as Ryan Tunnicliffe. The midfielder snatched at the opportunity and he could only watch his shot go wide. United had a chance of their own moments later when Cameron Stewart cut inside to strike, but his effort went over the crossbar. The second period had a much higher tempo about it and the deadlock was broken on 57 minutes. The away side picked up the ball just inside United's half and the ball was played to McGoldrick, the striker carried the ball, shot from 20-yards and his strike beat Kenny at his near post. United responded well to going behind and were awarded a penalty on the hour mark when Stewart was brought down in the box by Luke Chambers. United striker McCormack was the man on the spot and made no mistake by smashing the ball past Dean Gerken. Following the equaliser from the penalty spot Brian McDermott made a double change by introducing the young duo of Dominic Poleon and Alex Mowatt in the place of Michael Brown and Diouf. United took control of the game after McCormack's leveller and the striker had a further chance just minutes later. McCormack picked up a loose ball in the Ipswich penalty area and his strike looked destined for the back of the net but a deflection put the ball behind for a corner. With 20 minutes remaining the striker had another chance but his shot from just outside the box brought a great save from Gerken. With the game heading into the final 10 minutes Warnock played a fantastic ball across the away side's six-yard box. Although the ball just had too much pace on it for the onrushing United attackers to make the telling connection. The final 10 minutes saw United doing most of the pushing and were the side that looked the more likely to steal a winner. But with no meaningful attempts on goal from either side the game ended all square.

Match Report: Leeds United 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday

A two-goal blast in the space of six second-half minutes from Luke Varney gave Leeds United a much needed victory in a dramatic Yorkshire derby at Elland Road. Varney - who spent two loan spells at Hillsborough earlier in his career - cancelled out Jermaine Johnson’s 27th-minute opener with a bullet header three minutes after the hour mark, with referee Neil Swarbrick awarding a goal after the effort smashed off the underside of the bar and bounced over the line - before another well-placed header settled the contest on 69 minutes. The result means that Wednesday, who went into the game as the form side of the division and were seeking victory to rubber-stamp their safety, still have work to do to stave off the drop as they succumbed to just their second away league defeat since the start of December. The introduction of El-Hadji Diouf at the interval for David Norris proved a masterstroke, as was new manager Brian
McDermott’s decision to switch Varney to centre forward after replacing the ineffectual Steve Morison with Aidan White on the hour mark. The first-half proved a muted affair with an early chance fluffed by Morison, who cashed in on Lewis Buxton’s failure to clear a free-kick from skipper-for-the-day Stephen Warnock with the former Milwall man miscuing when well placed, with his meek effort blocked by Chris Kirkland. Aside from that and a few long-range efforts, United brought little to the table before the break, with Wednesday forging the lead after seizing on some dithering home defending three minutes before the half-hour mark. Kirkland’s punt forward was headed on by Jeremy Helan, when no home player challenged, with Jermaine Johnson latching onto it in an instant, stealing a march on Warnock before lifting the ball expertly over Paddy Kenny. At the other end, Ross McCormack’s free-kick was cleared close to the goaline by Miguel Llera before Leroy Lita went close at the other end. The half ended with Llera testing the reactions of Kenny with a free-kick as the visitors sought to double their tally. On the restart, no doubt cajoled by some words from McDermott, United looked a totally different and transformed side. Four minutes into the second period, Morison spurned a great chance to level after being profiting from Anthony Gardner’s error, but he criminally delayed too long in front of goal, with Reda Johnson making a saving tackle. Soon after, the hosts went close again, with Gardner this time saving the day after making vital clearance after Varney latched onto the rebound after Kirkland expertly parried a goalbound shot from McCormack. Leeds continued to press and they got their just desserts with a leveller on 63 minutes. McCormack’s cross was met with a firm header from Varney, whose effort bounced off the bar, but over the line with Kirkland helpless. United went for the jugular with Varney plundering his sixth goal of the season with just over twenty minutes to go after another impressive assist from McCormack. The Scot’s cross was headed in clinically by the former Portsmouth frontman - to the ectascy of most of the 23,936 crowd. The Owls gradually stirred into life and laid siege for a spell ten minutes before the end, which almost yielded a leveller following a frenetic spell of action. First, a brilliant volley from sub Steve Howard after good work by fellow sub Chris Maguire hit the post before Reda Johnson went desperately close to a scrambled equaliser as the visitors laid siege. Despite a tense finish, it proved United’s day as they ended a four-match losing streak with a welcome victory.

Middlesbrough 1-0 Leeds

Leeds United’s hopes of reaching the  Championship play-offs appear slim after they failed to find the net and lost to sixth-placed Middlesbrough. A single goal from Curtis Main eight minutes from time proved enough for Boro to end their five-game losing streak in the league and open up a six-point gap on the misfiring Whites. The 1-0 result heaped pressure on Leeds boss Neil Warnock with sections of the travelling fans calling for him to go and there were signs of strain on the manager as he sarcastically applauded supporters at one point after they called for him to change his team. Warnock stuck with the same starting line-up that failed to win at Wolves on Saturday with El-Hadji Diouf and Rodolph Austin back on the United bench after being rested and Ross Barkley left out all together, suggesting he will be returning to Everton after his failed loan spell. United had a couple of half chances early on when David Norris was denied by home keeper Jason Steele and Luke Varney shot wide. Varney went close again before the best chance of the first half saw Paul Green set up Ross McCormack only for the Scottish striker to be denied by former Leeds favourite Jonathan Woodgate, who cleared off the line. Just before half-time Middlesbrough created their best opportunity when Mustapha Carayol was through, but Paddy Kenny raced out to make a good block. Steve Morison was denied his first Leeds goal early in the second half when his header was cleared off the line. At the other end Kenny made a good save before Tom Lees cleared. Grant Leadbitter went close with a free-kick and the Kenny was forced to make more saves as United were forced on the defensive again. Boro came up with the winner in the 82nd minute when Main was left in space from a corner and sent a looping header beyond Kenny. Main’s night turned sour five minutes later when he received two yellow cards in quick succession and was sent off by referee Keith Stroud. But there was too little time for United to take advantage, although substitute Habib Habibou got in a header that was well saved by Steele.

FA approaches Leeds star in Millwall racism investigation

El Hadji Diouf

The Football Association has contacted Leeds to ask for El-Hadji Diouf’s version of events as part of an investigation into footage which showed the striker being racially abused during a match at Millwall in November. Millwall have also reopened an investigation into the incident, saying they are “appalled” by footage shown on Sky Sports News on Monday night. The film appeared to show the Senegal international alerting the referee, Mark Halsey, and making stewards aware of his allegations but Millwall insisted no complaint of racist abuse was made by the player at the time. The FA is now investigating the footage - and not just the incident with Diouf. It is understood Leeds have provided the governing body with the Senegal striker’s version of what happened. An FA statement said: “We were concerned by the video footage and we have requested a copy for our full consideration. “We will work with all the relevant authorities including the police to investigate fully.” The FA also urged anyone “subject to or witness to racial abuse” to report it. Football League chairman Greg Clarke and FA independent board member Heather Rabbatts have both stressed the need for players to be given the support to report incidents of racist abuse. Clarke admitted something in the game may be “terribly wrong” if black players felt unable to do so. Clarke, who was at the match in question, told Sky Sports News: “To have our players subjected to such vile and filthy abuse deserves nothing more than the culprits being arrested and facing the full weight of the law. “There’s two issues, one is we have to continue to work with the clubs on our anti-racism programmes which are agreed with the FA. “Secondly is the reticence of black players to come forward and feel comfortable in supporting it. “If we’ve created an environment that doesn’t support black players in confronting this issue we’ve done something terribly wrong. “We’ve got to wrap ourselves around our black players and give them our support to report such episodes and then deal with such episodes extremely severely.” Meanwhile, Rabbatts, who coincidentally is a former deputy chief executive of Millwall, said the governing body had to take note of what happened at the Den. Rabbatts told Press Association Sport: “It’s the responsibility of all of us involved in the game that where those incidents take place they are reported so that we can take action. “It is a real concern that many feel they cannot report such abuse. “What we saw was shocking and horrible and from the FA’s perspective it revealed the challenge that we have still to face in dealing with racism.” However, Reading striker Jason Roberts was dismissive of the FA’s recent action plan to deal with racism. He told Sky Sports News: “We need to do better. We need to have proper zero tolerance to it when these things happen. We need to hit the offending clubs or individuals hard. “It is also about representation, about having ethnic minorities throughout the game. “The FA has come up with a 92-point plan but nothing in that plan that makes me think we are going to change this situation. “When I go out on the football pitch I don’t want to be subjected to that kind of abuse. Get CCTV cameras working properly, get the police and stewards doing their jobs properly.” Millwall captain Danny Shittu said he was “deeply saddened” by the Sky Sports News documentary. He said: “As the current Millwall captain, racism is something I do not stand for or condone. I am currently in talks with the club about any further measures we can take in dealing with and eradicating racism at matches. “I do not want the events shown yesterday to tarnish the hard work done by the club thus far and their efforts in tackling this issue. “Every player at all levels has the right to represent their club without being subjected to homophobic or racial taunts. I will do all I can to help eradicate racism at my club and in football.”

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.

Leeds 2-1 Middlesbrough

In-form striker Luciano Becchio continued his impressive goal scoring record against Middlesbrough to help Leeds kick off their new era with a 2-1 win. The day after GFH Capital confirmed their 100% buyout of the Whites, Becchio scored either side of the break to cancel out Lucas Jutkiewicz's opener and earn his side a fifth win in six npower Championship games. The 28-year-old took his tally for the season to 17 in the process - just three short of his best-ever return for the club - and improved his record against Boro to five in four games. The former Barcelona B man still has 18 months to run on his contract at Elland Road but it is likely that manager Neil Warnock will be knocking on the door of his new bosses soon to try and arrange an extension as he looks to kickstart a promotion push in the new year. In this form that looks likely for Leeds, although they still have a number of teams above them, including a Boro side who saw Scott McDonald and Jutkiewicz pass up glorious chances before the latter broke the deadlock after half an hour. El-Hadji Diouf's lay-off was missed by all of his team-mates and allowed the visitors to pick up the ball, with Jutkiewicz racing through on Paddy Kenny's goal and drilling in a low strike which the keeper did well to save with his feet. Leeds were slow to the rebound, however, and Jutkiewicz picked it up and beat Kenny at his near post via a deflection off Alan Tate. Leeds responded well to the goal and would have been level had Jerome Thomas squared to Diouf and not shot across goal, but the equaliser did come on the stroke of half-time, with Becchio half-volleying in via the angle of post and bar after Jonathan Woodgate failed to clean up Byram's cross. Jutkiewicz was twice foiled by Kenny after half-time and he was forced to rue those misses with 17 minutes left. After Becchio's header from a Diouf cross was tipped over by Steele, he rose the highest from the resulting corner to beat the goalkeeper with another nod of his head, this one taking a deflection off former United defender Woodgate.

El-Hadji Diouf has signed an 18-month contract with Leeds

Leeds have confirmed the club has given El-Hadji Diouf an 18-month contract after the striker's impressive start to the season.The former Liverpool and Blackburn player originally moved to Elland Road on a non-contract basis in the summer before signing a deal until January.United manager Neil Warnock has been delighted with Diouf's influence on the pitch, where he has scored five goals since his arrival.The 31-year-old is now contracted to the West Yorkshire giants until the end of the summer of 2014. Warnock said: "We're delighted he's agreed everything and hopefully he'll enjoy the next 18 months with us."Obviously it's a massive boost for everyone to know we're going to have him around, and this is what we've wanted to do."He's a match-winning player, and there aren't many of them around. He's a player who can change a game and I'm delighted we've been able to keep him."He's also fitted in really well, and he's been great with the lads."

Derby 3-1 Leeds

Derby halted Leeds' revival and stretched their unbeaten home run in the Championship to seven matches thanks to second-half goals from Jake Buxton and Ben Davies. Defender Buxton deflected home a shot from fellow defender Richard Keogh in the 66th minute with the score at 1-1 and Derby withstood a late barrage before substitute Davies finished superbly on the break in the fourth minute of time added on. Leeds midfielder Paul Green cancelled out Conor Sammon's 15th-minute opener for Derby on the stroke of half-time and after Buxton's close-range effort the home side held on with Davies rubber-stamping their sixth league win of the season at Pride Park.Leeds, who had won their previous three matches, hit the post via Tom Lees' late header and will feel aggrieved not to have been awarded a last-minute penalty when Green went tumbling under a challenge from Will Hughes. Derby, unchanged from the side that lost 4-1 at Leicester last week, took the lead when Hughes pulled the ball back across the face of goal from the left into the path of Sammon, who drove home a low shot from 12 yards for his fifth goal of the season. Leeds goalkeeper Paddy Kenny pulled off a fine fingertip save to keep out Theo Robinson's snapshot from close range in the 24th minute and denied the same player from 30 yards soon after as Derby took control. Leeds, who recalled winger Ryan Hall in place of the injured Jerome Thomas, did not threaten Adam Legzdins in the Derby goal again until midfielder Michael Tonge's 25-yard effort, which was blocked by Derby defender Richard Keogh in the 36th minute. But the visitors went in level at the break thanks to Green's strike against his former club on the stroke of half-time. Leeds striker Luciano Becchio played the ball inside the penalty area and Green applied a neat low finish into the bottom corner. Leeds pegged the hosts back in their own half after the restart. McCormack's shot from inside the area was well held by Legzdins and the Scot pulled another effort from a similar position wide. Derby midfielder Michael Jacobs then acrobatically kept out Hall's goalbound shot at the other end.Derby midfielder Hughes tricked his way into the area before unleashing a shot destined for the top corner, only for Kenny to save at full stretch. Robinson's goalbound header was blocked by Leeds defender Lees, but the visitors failed to clear the resulting corner and Keogh's low shot was sidefooted home by Buxton. Leeds went close to a rapid equaliser when David Norris connected sweetly with the ball from 20 yards, but Legzdins was equal to it, and when Lees beat the Rams keeper with a header from substitute El-Hadji Diouf's superb cross, the ball came back off the inside of the post and was hacked clear. Diouf's thumping drive from 20 yards then whistled past the post as Leeds pushed for an equaliser before Davies, an 82nd-minute replacement for Robinson, curled home a fine 94th-minute effort for Derby after a swift counter-attack.

Diouf set for Leeds return?

Leeds striker El-Hadji Diouf could return to contention for the game at Derby. The Senegalese missed last week's derby win at Huddersfield due to a slight groin strain, but returned to training this week and is likely to feature. Ross McCormack made his first start since returning from a long-term ankle injury to partner Luciano Becchio at Huddersfield and manager Neil Warnock may be tempted to stick with a winning formula. Another forward, Luke Varney, will return from his three-match ban following his dismissal at Millwall, while centre-half Jason Pearce and midfielder Michael Brown have both had to patient following their respective suspensions by making do with a place on the substitutes' bench. Warnock has no new injury or suspension problems and must decide whether to retain Jerome Thomas, on loan from West Brom, or hand a start to fellow winger Ryan Hall, who made an impact when introduced off the bench last week. Leeds are chasing a fourth straight league win in their bid to close the gap between themselves and the top six.

Leeds 1-0 Leicester

Leeds showed the unpredictable side of the Championship promotion race as they claimed a top-three scalp for the second time in four days. Luciano Becchio put Leeds in early control from the penalty spot as they followed up their weekend win over then-leaders Crystal Palace. It came after an emotional Elland Road paid tribute to former idol Gary Speed before kick-off, on the anniversary of his death, and the home side did not take long to take a grip on proceedings. Just three minutes in, Leicester full-back Jeff Schlupp needlessly tripped defender Sam Byram just inside the area. Becchio duly converted his 12th goal this term with an unstoppable spot-kick past Kasper Schmeichel. Leicester’s defending quickly got better and Nigel Pearson’s promotion hopefuls responded with in-form winger Ben Marshall. After 13 minutes, his determined right-wing run carried him half the length of the field before Marshall produced a low, near-post shot which Paddy Kenny fielded comfortably. Minutes later, Leeds defender Alan Tate was fortunate not to suffer Schlupp’s fate, as his trip on Martyn Waghorn came inches outside the penalty area. Marshall, again, took the free-kick but could only hit a well-constructed wall. El-Hadji Diouf, currently in talks with Leeds over extending his short-term contract beyond the end of January, offered a threat from set-pieces but, following the early aberration, Leicester’s defending was showing a vast improvement.Schmeichel dealt unconvincingly with one such corner, but escaped punishment. Diouf then picked out Tom Lees but the centre-half failed to make clean contact. Becchio’s excellent ball into the near-post was met by Paul Green on the half-volley, Schmeichel responding with a superb one-handed tip over the crossbar. But Marshall was again instrumental when Leicester came close to claiming an equaliser, his dangerous cross only being half cleared and falling for Waghorn whose volley flashed across the goal and off the bar. Waghorn opened the second half by continuing Leicester’s momentum when he found himself ahead of the Leeds defence but ran directly into trouble. And centre-half Wes Morgan rose well to meet a Waghorn freekick but could only guide it directly into Kenny’s waiting arms. Anthony Knockaert, one of a double substitution made by Leicester before the hour, unleashed a fierce 25-yard shot which Kenny kept out at full stretch as the pressure mounted. Leeds substitute Michael Brown momentarily eased the strain on the hosts when he curled a shot just wide from 20 yards. But Marko Futacs ensured that Leeds were once more anxiously counting down the minutes when the home defence failed to deal with a Danny Drinkwater free-kick and the 6ft5in forward fired a spectacular attempt just wide.

Leeds claim another Premiership scalp

Micheal Tonge scored and was inspirational in taking Leeds into the last eight of the Capital One Cup as they dominated a shocking Southampton side. The Leeds midfielder struck after 35 minutes before El-Hadji Diouf and Luciano Becchio sealed the win late on to hand Leeds a deserved spot in the League Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1996. Leeds came into this game in confident mood having beaten Premier League high-flyers Everton in the last round of the Capital One Cup and they would have been further boosted when the Southampton team-sheet arrived. Having seen his Saints side lose their seventh Premier League game on Sunday, Nigel Adkins made 11 changes. The hosts made the better start with Luke Varney somehow missing from just two yards in the first 15 minutes. Aidan White pumped a long ball into the area that Diouf turned across to Varney and, despite Southampton goalkeeper Kelvin Davis being out of position, the Leeds forward fluffed the chance wide from two yards. However, Varney soon made amends, creating a deserved opener in the 35th minute. Davis could only push a low cross from the striker into the path of Tonge and the midfielder slotted the ball past two Saints defenders and into the net. As Adkins opted against any changes at the break, Leeds continued to dominate after the restart and Varney should have scored again on the hour mark but Davis saved well. Southampton had hardly made an impression and it was not until the 70th minute when they finally notched an attempt on goal, albeit hopelessly off target from Emmanuel Mayuka. Diouf then doubled the advantage in the 88th minute when Rudolph Austin’s strike was palmed into his path by a helpless Davis. With the home fans still celebrating, Tonge was brought down in the area by Dan Seaborne and substitute Becchio converted from the spot.

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.

Leeds United 1-1 Charlton

Neil Warnock made four changes to his starting line-up with Adam Drury, Luke Varney, David Norris, and Paul Green coming into the side. Rodolph Austin and Lee Peltier missed out through injury while Aidy White and Michael Tonge were among the subs.The first real chance of the game fell to Leeds after 11 minutes when Jason Pearce found space to plant a header over the bar. Moments later, Norris had shot blocked by Leon Cort after showing great skill following a poor Charlton clearance.It wasn't the most inspiring of opening half hours with neither side finding any real fluency to take a grip on the game. Shortly after the half-hour, El-Hadji Diouf started a flowing move that ended with him trying to barge his way through the Charlton defence. But United were in front on 36 minutes when Varney headed down a Michael Brown ball into the box and Norris fired home from inside the box. The visitors had offered little in the way of a threat, but United had an escape moments before half-time when a cross took a deflection off Tom Lees and hit the woodwork. Charlton were level just minutes into the second half, though, with their first real shot of the night. Lawrie Wilson made a deft touch to Dorian Dervite whose strike from outside of the box squeezed in the far corner. Charlton also created an opening when Salim Kerkar couldn't quite make a good connection inside the box as the cross came in. The second half was an open affair. Diouf won a couple of corners for Leeds and Charlton looked to attack down the flanks before delivering balls into the box. Chances were few and far between, though, and Paddy Kenny had to be alert to deny Chris Solly after one good move by the visitors. Kerkar also sent a shot wide after some decent play by Charlton. And Kenny had to spead himself well to make a great save in the final minute when Bradley Wright-Phillips got on the end of another low ball into the box. United pressed in stoppage time, the visitors had to hack away a Diouf corner, and from the Charlton break, Kenny had to pull off another fine save.

Leeds 1-0 Barnsley

Leeds buried their Barnsley bogey thanks to Luciano Becchio’s outrageous penalty.Becchio cheekily chipped his 42nd-minute spot-kick straight down the middle – with ex-Leeds loan keeper Ben Alnwick going to his left.It was Becchio’s ninth goal this season and second penalty in successive games after converting in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at Bolton.And it secured Leeds’ first win over the Tykes in seven encounters. Barnsley bitterly disputed referee Darren Deadman’s decision, claiming Stephen Foster’s challenge on Leeds skipper Lee Peltier was outside the box.In a fiery derby Leeds were grateful to keeper Paddy Kenny who pulled off a brilliant point-blank block from Marlon Harewood on 62 minutes.Aidy White was at fault for Leeds early on as he lost possession – giving Barnsley the chance to break.The visitors should have punished the mistake but Jacob Mellis fired wide from a great position.He missed an even better opportunity when David Perkins floated a ball over the defence and Mellis met it with a tame volley straight into the hands of stopper Kenny.Leeds had a decent penalty shout on 36 minutes when Tykes right-back Jon Stones appeared to handle Tom Lees’ header from El-Hadji Diouf’s corner.But the decision went Leeds’ way when Foster checked Peltier on the left edge of the box. Becchio had to put up with a three-minute delay while his captain received treatment but was nerveless in his execution. The Argentinian was then booked when Tykes skipper Scott Wiseman claimed he was the victim of a stamp. And Barnsley boss Keith Hill turned his frustration on the home fans behind the dugout after ironic cheers when Tykes striker Craig Davies was cautioned. Leeds boss Neil Warnock said: “I didn’t see Luciano take the penalty – I don’t like looking. “I’m going to do an Arsene Wenger and say I haven’t seen the incident that led to the penalty but I think it’s fair to say the referee didn’t have one of his better days.’’ Hill said: “The referee has got a major decision seriously wrong which has decided the outcome. It’s inexplicable. “When referees go on the defensive and don’t apologise for mistakes it becomes a bit disrespectful. But whose job will it affect?"

Diouf set for Leeds talks

Leeds United ace El Hadji Diouf is set for discussions over a new contract at the club later this week, according to his agent. Diouf has been a revelation at Elland Road this season since his arrival on a free transfer in the summer. The Senegal international is currently on a short-term deal at Leeds which expires in January and his form has not gone unnoticed by rival clubs. Diouf has scored three goals for Leeds and turned in a man-of-the-match display in Leeds' 2-1 win over high-flying Everton in the Capital One Cup last week. Leeds are looking to tie down the former Liverpool and Bolton man to a new deal and the player's agent, Willie McKay, admits Diouf would be happy to sign a long-term contract if the terms are right. "I am meeting Neil Warnock to discuss a new deal for El Hadji as his current contract expires in January," McKay told skysports.com. "I believe El Hadji has shown he is the best player in the Championship and the interest in him has been amazing. "I have been contacted by two Premier League clubs who have asked about his situation in January. "I know El Hadji wants to stay at Leeds and as he loves it there and wants to help them get promotion." McKay added: "The manager took a gamble to sign El Hadji and he signed for Leeds not for the money, but for the manager because he is one of the lowest paid players at the club. "The deal he is on is a tenth of the deal he was previously on and I think he has proved to the Leeds fans he is committed and he has worked harder than ever before. "I know the manager is desperate to keep him and El Hadji is desperate to stay, but this could be El Hadji's last contract and it has to be right. "El Hadji is happy to sign a long-term contract for two or three years, but the terms have to be right."

Bolton 2-2 Leeds United

Goals either side of half-time earned Leeds United a valuable point away at Bolton Wanderers. Neil Warnock’s men were trailing to an early Kevin Davies header before Sam Byram equalised just before half-time and Luciano Becchio netted a penalty five minutes into the second half after Byram had been brought down according to referee Phil Dowd. But United’s hopes of a second away win in three days were dashed 11 minutes from time when former England international Davies was on target with another header. Leeds made one change to the team that had won 3-2 at Bristol City on Saturday, Adam Drury returning at left-back. As a result Lee Peltier was moved to his favoured right-back position with Byram preferred to Aidan White on the right flank. It was Bolton that made most of the running in the first half and went ahead on 14 minutes when Davies, always dangerous in the air, headed home from a corner. It could have been two soon after as keeper Paddy Kenny saved well to deny Keith Andrews then Chris Eagles hit the post with a fierce shot from outside the box. Benik Afobe had another chance for the hosts only to see his shot over the advancing Kenny also go wide. United finally got a decent effort in on the home goal as Byram curled a shot just wide and they levelled to have a somewhat fortunate 1-1 half-time score when a minute before the break Byram met El-Hadji Diouf’s free-kick and his flick sent the ball beyond keeper Adam Bogdan. United made a flying start to the second half as Byram burst into the box and was brought down by Matt Mills. Referee Dowd pointed to the spot and up stepped Becchio to fire home his eighth goal of the season. Bolton looked to hit back as Kenny saved from Andrews and Zat Knight headed a free-kick wide, but Leeds were also a bigger threat than in the opening half as they got in several crosses that needed to be defended well and Rodolph Austin hit a free-kick wide. But on 79 minutes the hosts came up with an equaliser when a corner was once again headed home by Davies. United could have snatched a dramatic winner, however, in the third minute of injury-time as Diouf found space just inside the box and was unlucky to see a shot hit the woodwork.

Bristol City 2-3 Leeds United

El-Hadji Diouf’s second-half double helped Leeds register their third straight win and back-to-back successes in the npower Championship.The controversial Senegalese striker raised eyebrows when teaming up with Leeds manager Neil Warnock in the summer, but has been grabbing the attention for all the right reasons in recent weeks.Diouf, instrumental in the midweek Capital One Cup win over Everton, opened the scoring just after the hour, and although Albert Adomah equalized, he struck again nine minutes from time as Leeds regained the lead. Midfielder Michael Tonge’s thunderbolt clinched Leeds a two-goal advantage with seven minutes remaining and although Adomah’s corner deflected off Leeds defender Sam Byram in the 90th minute for an own goal, Warnock’s men saw out the remaining minute. City were dealt a blow just before half-time when defender George Elokobi, making his debut after signing on loan from Wolves, required medical attention following an awkward landing while blocking a cross and was later carried off on a stretcher. Teenager Joe Bryan replaced him. Striker Jon Stead was the second of three changes for City, while midfielder Neil Kilkenny was back to face his former club.Goalkeeper Paddy Kenny and skipper Lee Peltier returned to Leeds’ starting line-up.Leeds winger Aidy White tested City goalkeeper Tom Heaton with an early header and Kenny did well to hold Robins striker Ryan Taylor’s 20-yard shot in a see-saw opening. The home side went closest to taking the lead in the 15th minute when Liam Fontaine lashed a close-range volley off target and Kenny was in the right place again soon after to catch Stead’s header from Martyn Woolford’s free-kick. Stead fired a 20-yard shot straight at the Leeds goalkeeper and miscued from six yards in the 35th minute either side of Leeds midfielder Rudy Austin’s textbook volley, which was comfortably snaffled by Heaton. Woolford went closest to breaking the deadlock when he headed Richard Foster’s inch-perfect cross just wide from eight yards. But it was Leeds who twice threatened to forge ahead shortly after the restart through Austin. The Jamaica international first headed Diouf’s free-kick against the woodwork with Heaton well beaten and then forced the City keeper into a fine save with another header moments later. Leeds were not to be denied in the 64th minute however. Byram drilled in a superb low cross from the right and Diouf steered the ball into the far corner. But the Robins refused to buckle and were back on level terms within six minutes. Right-back Foster swung over another telling cross and Adomah flung himself at the ball to head powerfully home. Leeds continued to carry the greater threat though and regained the lead in the 81st minute when Diouf pounced in the penalty area to lash home his second following good work by Luciano Becchio. The visitors effectively put the game to bed two minutes later when Tonge stepped on to the ball 25 yards from goal and unleashed an unstoppable shot into Heaton’s top left-hand corner. There was still time for City to pull one back when Adomah’s corner flew into the net off Byram’s head, but Leeds held on.

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.

Match Report: Leeds United 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest's unbeaten start to the season was halted by Leeds at Elland Road on an afternoon when the home fans saw their side score through Luciano Becchio and starting debutant Dom Poleon.The success not only ended a two-game losing run for Leeds, but allowed manager Neil Warnock to avenge the 7-3 defeat at the hands of the same opposition in March that he described as one of the worst nights of his career.With a thin squad - further depleted by the expected three-month absence of Ross McCormack - at his disposal, Warnock had hardly done his bit to raise pre-match expectations by saying he might as well go fishing as try and sign a new player.He was true to his word with no fresh faces lining up today.Leeds set about getting on top of Forest early on, with Rodolph Austin sending in a 25-yard tester in the second minute. Forest responded through Simon Cox, with the striker working Paddy Kenny at his near post, before Tom Lees headed a pinpoint El Hadji Diouf corner wide at the other end. Diouf was the man Warnock turned to in the summer when captain and playmaker Robert Snodgrass left for Norwich and the Senegal international has not disappointed his manager so far with a string of impressive performances. He added to that in the 15th minute when he laid on the opening goal, cutting in and standing up a cross that hung in the air and eventually fell for Becchio who duly made it seven for the season. Diouf was causing Forest all sorts of problems as he flipped between playing up front and on the wing but, for all of his poise on the ball, he has never been renowned as a lethal finisher and so it proved in the 23rd minute. The former Liverpool man broke in to the box on the back of a Poleon lay-off but could only roll in a shot that was blocked easily, although it mattered little two minutes later as the roles were reversed. Diouf pulled a long clearance out of the sky and immediately threaded a ball through that put Becchio in on goal and, although the Argentinean dallied too long, Poleon was on hand to ram in from 12 yards. Forest's response was muted with an Andy Reid free-kick and a James Coppinger long-ranger the best they could muster, and the would have been three down at the break had Becchio not blazed over from six yards. That miss would cause Leeds' anxiety levels to rise after the break too for, with an hour gone, Greg Halford launched a long throw which Kenny lost in the sun, allowing Blackstock to head in. Forest had discovered Leeds' Achilles heel - the long throw - and Halford quickly deployed it again, with Kenny this time scrambling to tip over, and the goalkeeper redeemed himself further with a sprawling denial of Lewis McGugan's 75th-minute curler. They would continue to pepper the Leeds box with crosses but, as time ticked on, including six additional minutes, their resolve weakened and United held on.

Match Report:Leeds United 2-3 Hull City

Becchio slots home his penalty

Neil Warnock made two enforced changes due to injury, Luke Varney coming in for Adam Drury and El-Hadji Diouf replacing Ross McCormack. And it was Diouf who threatened first when he won an early corner as United mounted the first real attack of the game. Moments later, Diouf was the main man again when he won a penalty after being clipped by Hull defender James Dudgeon on the edge of the box. Luciano Becchio stepped up to take the spot-kick and he coolly converted. It gave United the early advantage and, clearly a real boost, with Rodolph Austin having a shot blocked on the line and Diouf being denied by Ben Amos. The game marked an Elland Road return for Alex Bruce and he was booked inside 20 minutes for excessive protesting. The former United man had made his feelings clear after the penalty decision and clashed with the referee again after a Sam Byram challenge on Abdoulaye Faye. But Hull were level on 23 minutes when the ball broke kindly to Ahmed Elmohamady after a mix-up, and the Egyptian was handed an easy finish. And the visitors were swiftly in front Faye found plenty of space to head a right wing cross beyond the reach of Paddy Kenny. The first half continued to be a feisty affair, but there were no real chances for either side as Hull went in 2-1 to the good. Austin tried his luck at the start of the second period, and his effort was followed by a worrying delay while Becchio received treatment after taking a knock on the ankle. The South American was swiftly replaced by Dominic Poleon. The sub made a couple of early runs to lift the crowd and he also forced a good save from Amos after he cut in from the left. But it was 3-1 to Hull on 76 minutes when Robert Koren finished off a sweeping move forward by tucking the ball Kenny. The goal appeared to end the game as a contest, but United did rally briefly. Amos had to smother when under pressure and Poleon sent a shot wide after good work by Andy Gray. And it was Gray who made his mark in the first minute of stoppage time when he headed home from a corner to reduce the deficit to set up a tense finale. Lee Peltier did try his luck from distance and United looked to salvage something, but the clock ended any hopes of a comeback.