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.

Hull 0-0 Leeds

Andy Lonergan seized the opportunity to make the right impression on Neil Warnock, but it was scarcely enough to put a smile on the face of the new Leeds manager at the KC Stadium.After a goalless draw at Portsmouth and home defeat by Southampton, Warnock was looking for a positive impact from players further up the field after outlining the requirements for a late tilt at a play-off place.Instead, with his front players misfiring for much of the night, it was left to Lonergan to keep Leeds in contention with a string of spectacular saves.It was meant to be the start of a three-match winning run that would launch Leeds into the thick of the promotion battle, but no-one would have guessed from the way Hull tore into Warnock’s team in a one-sided first half.Leeds’ manager had boldly declared that maximum points against Hull, Middlesbrough and West Ham were essential for reigniting a promotion challenge that had faltered prior to his arrival.
The opener, against a Hull side just three points and one place better off, was supposed to be the least demanding of the three, though it hardly looked that way as Leeds increasingly found themselves on the back foot.A Robert Snodgrass volley that narrowly cleared the bar and a Luciano Becchio header that was saved underneath it were the only moments for Leeds.Robert Koren was at the heart of Hull’s best attacking endeavours, starting with a 23rd-minute burst from the halfway line and pass to Cameron Stewart that the winger fired wastefully over from 15 yards.A Koren volley brought the best out of Lonergan on the half-hour, and Leeds escaped again four minutes later when Aaron Mclean steered an unchallenged header wide from Andy Dawson’s inswinging corner.Lonergan excelled himself with a full-length reflex save from a Corry Evans volley in the 39th minute, following more impressive approach work from Koren, and the Leeds goal survived another near-miss seconds later as Hull scented a breakthrough.The threat again came from Koren, whose left-foot drive from 25 yards beat Lonergan all ends up but struck the support post. Hull continued to make the running at the start of the second half, though poor finishing like Mclean’s 48th-minute effort that went yards over, may have been a concern to Nick Barmby.The Hull boss said: ‘Full credit to their keeper for three or four really top-class saves. We were the better team and would have won, if only we’d taken one of those chances near the end of the first half.’Warnock refused to concede his side’s promotion chances had gone but said: ‘We have got to win on Sunday now.’

Warnock Facing Defensive Crisis

Leeds manager Neil Warnock could be without three defenders for the midweek clash at Hull.Alex Bruce was already ruled out after missing the weekend defeat to Southampton with a hamstring strain, while both Aidy White and Leigh Bromby sustained knocks against the Saints and are rated very doubtful.Warnock said he will leave a decision on both White and Bromby until Tuesday afternoon.Paul Connolly and teenage pair Zac Thompson and Charlie Taylor could come into contention, while versatile midfielder Danny Pugh offers Warnock an alternative option.New signing Danny Webber made his debut for the club when replacing White early in the second half against Southampton and will be pushing for his first start.Striker Billy Paynter, out of favour under previous boss Simon Grayson, is another player hoping for a recall after returning to the bench at the weekend as Leeds chase only their second win in six league matches.


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Premiership Clubs Eye McCormack

Blackburn and Wolves are reportedly set to make moves for Leeds United striker Ross McCormack in the January transfer window.The Scotland international, 25, who is contracted at Elland Road until 2013, has attracted the interest of both clubs who are struggling at the wrong end of the Premier League.McCormack has been in fine form this season and is the npower Championship club's top scorer with 11 goals.However, the former Rangers and Cardiff player has come off the bench for his last two appearances, figuring as a second-half substitute in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Watford.Blackburn remain in the bottom three of the Premier League after today's 2-1 defeat by Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, in what was Martin O'Neill's first game as Black Cats' boss.Wolves find themselves one place above the drop zone after their 4-1 loss against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday.