Leeds V Everton Pre-View

Leeds United will be looking to claim a Premier League scalp when they take on in-form Everton at Elland Road  tonight.Leeds geared up for the clash with a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest at the weekend, which kept them in mid-table in the Championship. Everton swept aside Swansea City 3-1 on Saturday to further boost confidence following a flying start to the season.Both set of fans are also planning to pay a tribute to the late Wales manager Gary Speed, who spent time with both clubs during his playing career.It should be an electric atmosphere at Elland road with Everton reported to be bringing 4000+ travelling fans.Leeds skipper Lee Peltier is a major doubt after being forced out of the weekend win over Nottingham Forest with an ankle injury.Warnock will also make a late decision on striker Luciano Becchio, who fired his seventh goal in eight appearances this season against Forest despite carrying an ankle injury.Teenager Dominic Poleon scored on his full debut for the club against Forest and will be hoping to resume his partnership up front with Becchio, although Andy Gray provides Warnock with an alternative option.Everton striker Nikica Jelavic has recovered from a shin injury and returns to the squad.Manager David Moyes is expected to make a couple of changes but he plans to put out a strong side and defender Sylvain Distin could return having been rested at the weekend.

Sublime Snodgrass secures win

Elland Road played host to its biggest league crowd of the season for a game that was dominated by a memorial to the passing of title winner Gary Speed.There wasn't a dry eye in the house as fans watched a moving tribute to Gary ahead of the game before a minute's applause and wreath laying by both managers and some of Gary's former team-mates.It meant for an emotional occasion, and just as at Nottingham Forest in midweek, Leeds started on the front foot with the fans quick to chant the name of their hero.Luciano Becchio came within a whisker of opening the scoring inside nine minutes when he headed an Aidy White corner just wide. Jack Smith also cleared off the line after some great play by Robert Snodgrass.Just as at Forest, the Leeds fans adopted a chant of Gary Speed after 11 minutes of the game and the contest was being played out in an emotionally charged atmosphere.At the other end, Alex McCarthy had to make a couple of decent saves while White had to clear one for a corner.It was lively opening 30 minutes or so with both sides looking to get forward, and challenges were flying in thick and fast.Jonny Howson received treatment for a lengthy period during the first half and United played a short period with 10 men before Lloyd Sam was introduced as his replacement.Five minutes before the break, Grayson was forced into making another change when Michael Brown limped out of the action to be replaced by Andy Keogh.One of those subs, Sam, almost made an immediate impact, but he couldn't quite get his head on the end of a Snodgrass ball into the box.
There was another worry for Grayson at the start of the second half when Tom Lees appeared to be holding his leg, and Leigh Bromby was immediately dispatched to warm-up.Millwall also had an opportunity at the start of the second period when McCarthy had to push away a Scott Barron free-kick after Paddy Kisnorbo had picked up a yellow card on the edge of the box.When Leeds attacked, Sam fired wide and Snodgrass sent a low effort skidding wide of the upright.Sam also weaved his way into the Millwall box and as his shot was blocked there were claims for a handball by a Millwall defender.Shortly after the hour as Leeds slowly looked to get a grip on the game, Adam Clayton won a free-kick on the edge of the box. Snodgrass stepped up to take it, and delivered a superb strike that left Steve Mildenhall with no chance. The Scot's celebration included a poignant gesture towards his black armband.Moments later, the Scot made it 2-0 with his second goal of the afternoon and United were suddenly in complete command.Snodgrass was also the cross provider when he linked up superbly with Andy Keogh, but his ball into the box was just too quick for the Irishman to steer home.United almost added a third, but Mildenhall made a great save to deny Becchio, and the keeper also made a terrific save to deny Sam in stoppage time,But it was a comfortable enough victory for Leeds and was a fitting tribute for Gary Speed, a man who had started his career on the same turf some 23 years earlier.