Match Report:Leeds 2-1 Brighton

Leeds' first million-pound player in eight years made an immediate impression on his new club as Luke Murphy scored a 94th-minute winner to see off Brighton at a sold-out Elland Road. The 23-year-old midfielder joined United from Crewe last month and his eight-figure fee - the first time the club have paid such an amount for a player since they signed Richard Cresswell in 2005 - has installed him as a beacon of hope to Leeds' fans. On a day which saw them celebrate the start of an advertised new era following the summer ousting of controversial former chairman Ken Bates, it was perhaps fitting for them that Murphy should make a late run into the box and down last season's play-off semi-finalists.Prior to Murphy's intervention a draw was on the cards, with Ross McCormack having cancelled out Leonardo Ulloa's opener for a Brighton side coming to terms with changes of their own, with manager Oscar Garcia having replaced Gus Poyet over the summer. But the crowd of 33,432 would be left celebrating come the end as Murphy struck, giving former Barcelona man Garcia a rude awakening to life in the hustle and bustle of the SkyBet Football League. Had Paddy Kenny not made three brilliant saves to deny them it could have been a different story, but with Leeds having squandered chances of their own, it was always going to settle with the side which could make an opportunity count. Leeds had not appeared so sure-footed early on, however, and it was Brighton who made the first impression as Andrea Orlandi forced Kenny into action from 25 yards.The early stages certainly gave a nod to Garcia's philosophy - Brighton were happy to roll the ball around - and with 13 minutes gone it bore fruit as Ulloa haunted Leeds again. The ex-Almeria man booked Brighton's play-off place with a last-minute winner against Leeds in April and was on the spot again today, nipping ahead of Tom Lees to tuck an Andrew Crofts cross under Kenny's body. Ulloa's strike briefly took the sting out of the atmosphere, but within five minutes Leeds were level. Michael Tonge dug out a cross from wide on the right, and when Luke Varney's flick fell to McCormack, the Scotland international did the rest from just inside the box.he goal appeared to give Leeds an assurance they had lacked early on and Murphy was unfortunate to see a 25-yarder flash wide, while fellow debutant Noel Hunt lifted one over from six yards as he fell under pressure from Matt Upson. Clear chances dried up after that and it was not until the 55th minute that either goal was threatened again - Varney cutting in on the counter attacking but fluffing his lines and dragging wide. Brighton had been largely contained since their goal at that point, but suddenly reintroduced themselves to the game at the three-quarter mark with only Kenny stopping them from regaining the lead.Substitute Will Buckley cut in from the right and pulled back for Crofts, whose instinctive first-time shot was well saved by Kenny, but the former Republic of Ireland international had to be even better on the follow-up as he smothered an Inigo Calderon strike at his near post. Tonge was then left in a heap and appealing for a penalty as Leeds looked to regain some momentum, while substitute Poleon could have put them ahead without the need for a spot-kick had he done better when hooking a loose ball goalwards. Poleon - rated highly by McDermott - then nodded a cross wide from six yards as United sought a second, which really should have arrived when Paul Green crashed over after Tomasz Kuszczak parried another Poleon shot in the 90th minute. Even then there was time for Kenny to deny Buckley with a stunning two-handed stop, before Murphy ran on to a Matt Smith flick to beat Kuszczak from six yards.

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.

Match Report:Leeds 2-0 Blackpool

Neil Warnock made five changes from the side which lost 4-0 at Manchester City at the weekend. David Norris opened the scoring in the second half when he scored with a well-controlled half-volley, before Steve Morison recorded his first goal for the club with a lovely lofted finish. Leeds also went close through Luke Varney and Ross McCormack. Blackpool's Ludovic Sylvestre had a 30-yard strike tipped over and Gary Taylor-Fletcher had the ball in the net, but he was ruled offside. The result is Leeds' first win in four league games and moves Neil Warnock's side to within six points of a play-off place. They were the better side in the first half with Varney twice going close with headers, the second well saved by Matt Gilks. Scotland forward McCormack then made a mess of a shot from three yards before he had an effort cleared off the line by Craig Cathcart. The visitors came back into the game later in the half. Sylvestre was first to test the goal with a fantastic strike that was heading into the top corner only for Paddy Kenny to deny him with a superb stop. Moments later, Taylor-Fletcher thought he had scored after he tucked the ball past Kenny after the keeper had parried Matt Phillips's shot - unfortunately for Ince's side the forward was offside. The second 45 minutes was also entertaining, but it was Leeds who made the most of their chances. They took the lead when Norris, who had quite a quiet game, gave Gilks no chance with a great half-volley. But that finish was bettered by Morison, who got himself between both centre-backs before lifting his effort over the Blackpool keeper. Tom Ince nearly gave his father something to smile about in the closing minutes, but directed his header over the bar.

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.

Wolves 2-2 Leeds

Neil Warnock made four changes to the starting line-up for the game against Wolves. Debuts were handed to deadline day signings Steve Morison and Stephen Warnock, with Aidy White and El-Hadji Diouf making way. The other changes were in midfield with  Ross Barkley and Rudy Austin making way for Paul Green and David Norris. The first minute of the match saw the first chance of the game fall to Leeds, with a deflected effort from Norris hitting the roof of the net, resulting in two early corners. It was a bright start by United against a Wolves side who looked nervy at the back. Ross McCormack sent a shot wide while Paul Green also drilled an effort just wide of the upright. The home side also had an early chance when Kevin Doyle almost capitalised on a defensive mistake but Paddy Kenny saved well. United debutant Morison was the next player to threaten the Wolves goal when he sent a header just over the bar after McCormack floated a free kick his way. Wolves, who looked dangerous on the break, had the ball in the net before the 20 minute mark but an offside flag ruled out Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's effort. United continued to look the most likely, Morison's movement and workrate was particularly impressive during a good opening half-hour. But while Wolves were clearly vulnerable at the back they were a threat going forward and Kenny made a good save to deny Bakary Sako. Another chance came United's way after the half-hour mark when some good build up play from Michael Brown and Paul Green led to a shot from McCormack which went just wide of the right hand post. United continued to dominate until half time but had no goals to show for their efforts at the break. The home side started the second half on the front foot when Jamie O'Hara headed wide from close range. The pressure continued from the home side, and on 54 minutes Wolves took the lead when Lee Peltier turned a cross into his own net. United looked to respond immediately and Norris sent a shot over the bar. With United chasing the game Wolves looked like scoring again just after the hour mark with Kenny making two great saves in the space of two second half minutes. But it was United who equalised in the 64th minute when McCormack played through an inch perfect pass for Luke Varney to deliver a terrific curling finish. It was the home side's turn to look to respond and Green blocked a Christophe Berra header on the line. With chances coming thick and fast for both sides, it was United's goalscorer who again went close with an effort that Carl Ikeme turned around the post. United were awarded a penalty in the 77th minute when Sam Byram was brought down by the covering Sako. McCormack stepped up and slotted the ball home. It was Wolves who were playing catch up as the clock started to countdown and both Tom Lees and Byram were called upon to make vital defensive headers. Four minutes were added to the 90 and in the first of those Wolves got themselves on level terms when Danny Batth got on the end of a ball into the box to head past Kenny.

FA.Cup: Leeds United 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Neil Warnock saluted his heroic players after they pulled off a famous FA Cup win over Premiership giants Tottenham at Elland Road. Goals from Luke Varney and Ross McCormack earned the Whites a 2-1 victory and they will now look forward to a fifth round tie against another of the big boys, Manchester City, with the game to take place at the Etihad Stadium on the weekend of February 16 and 17. Spurs did pull a goal back through Clint Dempsey to ensure an exciting finish, but went the way of previous Premier League clubs Everton and Southampton in losing a cup tie at Elland Road this season. Leeds boss Warnock was understandably delighted. He said: “I’ll probably open a bottle of champagne and have a few little tipples. I’m sure I’ll be able to do something like that. I might even treat myself to a bag of crisps.” “It’s a fabulous day for everybody. Not just because we won the game, but we had a few problems a few weeks ago, there was a little bit of dissent around the place. “We go to Birmingham and nobody expected us to win and 1,500 fans followed us, and today was a thank you to them because they got behind us and we ended up winning that game, which gave us the opportunity to play Spurs. “I really enjoyed the match. We didn’t get anything other than what we deserved. “They played a strong team. To see Bale, Lennon and Parker in that team and to beat them is fabulous.” Tottenham made five changes from the side that drew with Manchester United the previous week, but still fielded a strong side which included star wingers Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale and England midfielders Scott Parker and Tom Huddlestone. They looked in control early on before out of the blue Leeds went ahead on 15 minutes when Varney raced onto captain for the day Michael Brown’s ball down the line and cut in to place the ball past keeper Brad Friedel. Increased confidence from the goal saw United go forward again and Varney shot over in the box as McCormack laid the ball back to him after meeting El Hadji Diouf’s cross. Dempsey forced the first serious save from home keeper Jamie Ashdown with a flicked shot and Ashdown parried a Huddlestone long range strike three minutes later. Spurs were suddenly looking more creative and Ashdown had to save at his near post after Bale nutmegged Lee Peltier to get free inside the area. But Tom Lees sent a header over and in the last minute of the first half McCormack was clean through from a Varney head on only to be unable to beat Friedel. Leeds had been one up st half-time in their last big cup tie against Premiership opposition only for Chelsea to sting them with five second half goals. But this time it was United who scored early on to double their lead as Diouf’s pass sent McCormack running clear and he had time to take on the last covering defender, making space to lash a left foot shot past Friedel into the corner. At 2-0 the hosts had breathing space and they needed it as Spurs hit back straight away and should have scored with Dempsey squandering a great chance with a close range volley after being set up by Leeds old boy Lennon. The visitors did score soon after, though, when Lees was caught napping at the near post, allowing Dempsey to send a glancing header into the net from Bale’s cross. The expected Spurs onslaught did not materialise from this point, however, even though they threw on all three substitutes, including internationals Mousa Dembele and Kyle Walker. The young home defence rose to the occasion and it was United who came closest to another goal when McCormack was clean through again only to see his shot saved at close range by Friedel. In a frantic finish Tottenham finally turned up the heat, but when sub John Obika raced through he was denied by a superb covering tackle from Lee Peltier. A free-kick five minutes into injury-time saw keeper Friedel go up into the box, but Leeds cleared and the final whistle blew, to the disappointment of some home fans as Rodolph Austin looked certain to score with no Spurs player in his own half to stop his shot. It did not matter, United were through to the fifth round for the first time in 10 years.

Millwall1-0 Leeds

Neil Warnock handed Ryan Hall his first start since joining the club on loan and also welcomed Ross McCormack back to the subs bench after injury. United went into the game on the back of a 6-1 home defeat at the hands of Watford, but Warnock's side went into this fixture the previous season on the back of a seven-goal mauling at home, and emerged victorious. And, it was Leeds who threatened first when El-Hadjio Diouf was brought down just outside the box by Mark Beevers and Michael Tonge struck a free-kick which was blocked by the wall. United started the contest brightly and looked a threat with good movement, particularly coming in from the wide areas. The visitors did have a little spell themselves, but Tom Lees made a couple of timely interventions. And, when United broke, Luciano Becchio was thwarted by some good defending while Sam Byram had a shot blocked. Millwall did look to play through Leeds, but the final ball was too far for Chris Wood and when Liam Trotter barged through he couldn't apply a finishing touch. United responded via Ryan Hall who showed good feet and forced David Forde into making the save. The home side also carved out a great opportunity shortly after the half-hour, but Wood was unable to guide his header on target after a well-flighted cross into the box. Another header was cleared from a corner, and Millwall played some good football in the period leading up to half time. Andy Keogh, one of three former Leeds players in the Millwall starting line-up, also had an opportunity before the break when he sent a shot wide of the mark. United threatened on the stroke of half-time, though. Tonge had a shot blocked and Varney headed over after Millwall goalkeeper Forde had recovered from an earlier spillage. But the second half got off to a disastrous start for Leeds when Luke Varney was shown a straight red card after a challenge with Adam Smith left the defender writhing on the floor after the Leeds man backed in to him. That gave the hosts a lift - the atmosphere had been fairly subdued by usual standards - and Wood responded by firing a shot over the bar. Chris Taylor then curled a shot just wide of Paddy Kenny's upright and James Henry also went close. With 25 minutes left, Warnock made his first change, introducing McCormack to the fray in place of Hall. The Scot's first real involvement was to send in a free-kick after Henry fouled Diouf outside of the box. While Millwall had enjoyed the better of the ball, they had failed to create any real chances, other than one first half header, and as the game entered the final 10 minutes it was still finely balanced. The ball did cross the goal-line on 82 minutes, but only after Kenny was barged into dropping the ball over his own line, and referee Mark Halsey awarded the free-kick. There was no doubt on 85 minutes, though, when a ball was floated into the box and Wood crashed home a header to give Millwall the advantage. That looked like being the decisive moment. Tonge did curl a free-kick wide in the first minute of stoppage time, but Henry also blasted a shot wide for the hosts after a quick break.

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.

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.

Match Report : Peterborough 1-2 Leeds

Luciano Becchio answered the midweek criticisms of his manager, Neil Warnock, in emphatic style yesterday by scoring both goals against Peterborough to secure Leeds' second win of the season. After the midweek lapse against Blackpool, when Warnock's team had surrendered a 1-0 lead in four second-half minutes to lose 2-1, the manager was scathing of Becchio and his fellow forwards. But yesterday he was full of praise.

"The front players were poor in the defeat at Blackpool and I let them know as much," he said, "but they were much better today. We looked dangerous, Luciano got his goals and we did a very professional job."

Becchio made his point with a goal in each half. Neither needed the most taxing of finishes, with Peterborough allowing Luke Varney and then Ross McCormack to pick out the Argentinian. And, although Michael Bostwick pulled a goal back for Peterborough with 17 minutes left, Darren Ferguson's side have now lost their opening three games.

Leeds' front three combined to give them their seventh-minute lead. McCormack had already had a free-kick clawed away by goalkeeper Robert Olejnik when his pass set Varney free and, after looking up, he squared the ball for Becchio to score from 10 yards. Shane Brisley went close for Peterborough and McCormack again for Leeds, but that was it as far as first-half chances went.

Peterborough were lively after the restart, with Lee Tomlin forcing a good save out of Paddy Kenny, but their enthusiasm lasted just five minutes as Becchio grabbed a second, and his fourth this season, heading in one of the easiest goals he will ever score after the impressive McCormack picked him out, in space, with a pinpoint cross.

New look Leeds fire Championship Warning

Neil Warnock's new-look Leeds cruised past Shrewsbury in the first round of the Capital One Cup as goals from Luciano Becchio, Luke Varney, David Norris and Ross McCormack secured an easy 4-0 win.
Warnock named eight debutants, including Varney and Norris, and teenage defender Sam Byram, with the hosts taking the lead through Becchio in the 20th minute.Another summer signing, Rodolph Austin, fired in a shot from outside the penalty area and, although Shrewsbury goalkeeper Chris Weale got down well to keep the ball out, Argentinian Becchio slid home the rebound from six yards.Leeds doubled their advantage six minutes later following a sweeping move that ended with striker McCormack's shot blocked, allowing Varney to pounce and apply a neat finish.Shrewsbury's Luke Summerfield lashed a shot wide for the visitors soon after, while team-mates Paul Parry and Jermaine Grandison had both gone close with long-distance efforts earlier.But Leeds looked the more assured in possession and midfielder Norris twice went close to adding a third, before eventually slamming home a shot into the bottom corner from Varney's headed knockdown.

McCormack stroked his penalty into the bottom corner to make it 4-0 in the 70th minute after Shrews defender Michael Hector handled in the area.


Leeds: Kenny, Byram, Peltier, Pearce, White, Green (Poleon 76), Austin, Norris, Varney (Brown 86), McCormack (Diouf 76), Becchio. Subs: Ashdown, Drury, Kisnorbo, Gray.

Friendly : Preston 1 Leeds 3

Leeds United manager Neil Warnock welcomed Paddy Kisnorbo into his starting line-up for the first time during pre-season while Paddy Kenny and Luciano Becchio also returned from minor injuries to take their places in the starting line-up for the trip to Preston North End.Kisnorbo started alongside Jason Pearce at centre back and the defenders had some early work to do as Preston started brightly - but it was Leeds who almost went in front inside five minutes when Luke Varney forced a good save from Thorsten Stuckmann. Preston also had to clear a powerful ball into the middle before Tom Lees could convert at the far post.
Kenny, who was wearing the captain's armband on his return, had more work to do than on his previous appearances during the early exchanges as Preston proved the biggest threat of pre-season. Ross McCormack had a free-kick deflected for a corner on the half-hour and the subsequent set play forced a save out of Stuckmann, but there was litte in the way of clear cut chances or goalmouth action during the opening 30 minutes.The breakthrough came just moments after the half-hour, though, when central defender Tom Lees showed great skill to bring the ball down just inside the penalty area before swivelling and smashing home a volley past Stuckmann.United also made a change during the first half with Kisnorbo, on his first appearance since late last year, playing the opening half hour or so before being replaced by Sam Byram. Lees reverted to centre-back, alongside Pearce. The game was the best test yet of the defence in terms of work, and the manager will have been more than pleased with solidity shown.The second half started in similar vein. Stuckmann made an early catch from Varney, but the home side continued to put United under a little pressure. But when the hosts did work an opening Jack King screwed a shot high and wide. And equaliser did come, though, 12 minutes into the half when John Mousinho scored with a good strike from just inside the box.The hour mark saw a re-shuffle for Leeds with a triple substitution that saw Danny Pugh, Adam Drury, and Andy Gray all introduced to proceedings.And it was 2-1 to Leeds on 66 minutes when Sam Byram scored his first goal in a senior shirt, Paul Green supplied the corner and Byram converted with a sweetly struck effort in front of over 2,500 travelling Leeds fans.Preston did come close to levelling again within a minute, but Kenny got down well to claw away a stooping header.United added a third with 10 minutes remaining, though. David Norris did well before the ball fell to Aidy White who scored with yet another good strike to leave Stuckmann with no chance.

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

Leeds complete Luke Varney Signing

Leeds United have agreed a deal to sign Luke Varney from Portsmouth on a two year contract after he passed a medical on Monday.The 29-year-old scored six goals in 28 appearances for Portsmouth last season after a season on loan in the Premier League with Blackpool.Leeds become his seventh club, having previously played for Crewe, Charlton, Derby and Sheffield Wednesday before Blackpool and Pompey.
Neil Warnock has also brought in Jamaican international Rodolph Austin on a busy day that has seen the club make four more signings.The 27-year-old, who can play in central midfield or defence, has joined from Norwegian club SK Brann.He was on trial with Warnock at QPR last summer, but the deal to take him to Loftus Road fell through.But the Carribean Cup winner will now become the eighth new face at Elland Road, following Jason Pearce, Adam Drury, Paul Green, Paddy Kenny, Andy Gray and Jamie Ashdown.

Varney Wants Leeds Switch

Luke Varney has revealed that he has his heart set on a move to Leeds United as he seeks a way out of Fratton Park. And the former Blackpool striker is prepared to turn down offers from other clubs to seal a move to Elland Road this summer. The 29-year-old has been the subject of much transfer speculation, with Portsmouth keen to get him off their wage bill. Sheffield Wednesday have been credited with an interested, but Varney is determined to work under Leeds manager Neil Warnock. ‘The other clubs that have been mentioned are still Championship clubs. But they are not clubs of the size of Leeds,’ said Varney. ‘Neil’s got a great record in the Championship and it’s something I want to be a part of. ‘With coming to Leeds, I can also still get home to see my little child in Leicester and it would be perfect. I’m looking forward to a move to Leeds.’