Match Report: Leeds United 5-1 Huddersfield

Leeds United’s captain Ross McCormack bagged a hat-trick in a memorable 5-1 derby victory over Huddersfield Town at Elland Road.Huddersfield were the better side for the first 45 minutes, but paid for missed chances when McCormack’s first goal gave Leeds a lifeline in first half injury-time. It was then a different game after the break with four unanswered goals from Leeds and everything that could go wrong doing so for the visitors who ended with 10 men when Anthony Gerrard went off injured after they had made their three substitutions. United have issued a statement saying that McDermott remains manager, but his assistant, Nigel Gibbs, was described as the “caretaker” before the game and took charge to oversee the ending of an eight-match run without a win that dated back to before Christmas. Leeds started well enough when Cameron Stewart missed a decent fourth minute chance, shooting wide after finding himself in space in the box. But they were soon forced into something of a rearguard action as Huddersfield carved open several chances. Two great blocks by Sam Byram denied the visitors while Oliver Norwood hit the post with a low strike from 20 yards out and Nahki Wells headed a difficult chance into the side netting. It was no surprise when Huddersfield went in front on 25 minutes as Ward’s angled shot beat Paddy Kenny. The Leeds keeper blocked a Murray Wallace header on the line from a corner soon after and made an easier save from Norwood’s weak header following a brief flurry from the Whites when Rudy Austin had shot wide from the edge of the box and McCormack could get no power behind a header from Austin’s fine cross. The big turning point proved to be in the 45th minute as Wells raced onto a long ball forward and got to the ball ahead of the onrushing Kenny only to see his shot go wide. It proved a huge miss as in the third minute of injury-time Huddersfield failed to deal with a long ball forward and after Jimmy Kebe miskicked it fell nicely for McCormack to score from close range. The second half started with a bang for United as well as Alex Mowatt and McCormack combined on the edge of the box to set Kebe clear and the on-loan winger chipped the ball over keeper Alex Smithies to put Leeds ahead. Town looked to hit back with Wells and Ward both shooting wide twice, but they were caught by a sucker punch on 63 minutes when the Whites broke out of defence, Austin carried the ball well and played in Byram on the flank. A perfect low cross was then finished by McCormack to make it 3-1. Suddenly Leeds were playing with confidence and after Kebe had a 20-yard shot tipped wide by Smithies they made it 4-1 when McCormack completed his hat-trick with a shot in off the post following a great run and cross by Stewart. United scored again on 82 minutes when Smithies came flying out of his area to stop McCormack getting on the end of a long ball forward only to collide with his own defender. The ball fell to Mowatt and the young midfielder gleefully produced a perfect lob into the empty goal for his first-ever goal in senior football. It did not get much better for Huddersfield as Adam Clayton’s shot beat Kenny only to bounce back off the crossbar. There were no further goals for Leeds although McCormack came close with a long range strike.

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 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.

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: Birmingham 1-0 Leeds

Brian McDermott suffered his first defeat as Leeds United manager when the Whites went down 1-0 at Birmingham to a second half goal from Hayden Mullins. The result ended any last lingering hopes of reaching the Npower Championship play-offs, but scores elsewhere ensured that United were safe from relegation, which was McDermott’s first aim when he took over. After victories in the new manager’s first two games and encouraging performances, Leeds faced their first away game under McDermott and struggled to get going initially at St Andrews. The first chance fell to Birmingham and United were fortunate to survive when Ravel Morrison hit the woodwork. Leeds went close soon after as Rodolph Austin’s strike from distance was spilled by keeper Jack Butland and Luke Varney’s follow-up was blocked. Michael Tonge saw an effort tipped over by Butland and Ross McCormack was also denied by the England man while at the other end Morrison went close again for the hosts. In the second half it was United’s turn to be denied by the woodwork as McCormack’s free-kick clipped the top of the crossbar. McCormack went close twice more and Sam Byram hit an effort into the side netting after Butland had fumbled a McCormack cross, but Birmingham’s goal survived intact and it was they who came up with the winner. This time it was Paddy Kenny’s turn to parry a Nathan Redmond strike and the ball fell to Mullins, who was able to find the net from close range. Leeds looked to hit back, but never went closer than in the 76th minute when Butland saved well from Austin and it was a familiar tale of woe from them on their travels this season as they failed to halt their poor away record.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 United 2-1 Crystal Palace

Neil Warnock praised his new loan signings as Leeds United beat Championship leaders Crystal Place. Leeds won 2-1 thanks to goals from Luciano Becchio and Paul Green and although Peter Ramage scored for Palace with a powerful header, the Londoners lost for the first time in 16 matches, as they were knocked off the top of the npower Championship table by Cardiff. Leeds were determined to impress their new owners, with loan signings Alan Tate and Jerome Thomas playing their part in ending a seven-match winless drought. Thomas gave Palace a torrid time with his strong, direct runs down the left, while Tate was solid at the back alongside Tom Lees. Leeds manager Neil Warnock felt his side were well worth the win and praised his deadline day loan signings. “I am absolutely delighted for the new owners. We deserved the win over the 90 minutes,” he said. “We started the game very well and had to hang in there at times but our two new lads made the difference. Alan Tate is a good pro. “He had a calming influence on us at the back and Jerome Thomas is as good as anyone in the Premier League, let alone the Championship. “We needed the lift in confidence those two have given us.” Leeds keeper Paddy Kenny had to complete a double save from Jonathan Parr and Glenn Murray in the first half but Palace lacked their usual cutting edge. Damien Delaney had already been booked for diving and when his Palace team-mate Wilfried Zaha also went down easily inside the box, Leeds midfielder David Norris squared up to him and was pushed aside by Zaha in an unsavoury incident on the half-time whistle. All three goals came in a tension-packed second half. Becchio hooked in the first after a defensive mix-up, the Argentinian grabbing his 11th goal of the season in the 52nd minute, before Green volleyed his first goal for the club when Palace failed to deal with Tate’s free-kick. Palace were given hope by Ramage’s 86th minute header but their late onslaught failed to produce an equaliser. “You have to give Leeds credit,” Palace boss Ian Holloway said. “They looked like the Leeds of old in the first 20 minutes by coming at us. We came through that period but didn’t get the breaks.

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?"

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.

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.

Leeds and Blackburn share the spoils in six goal thriller

Leeds United’s 100 per cent home record was ended by Blackburn at Elland Road, but they put up a fantastic fight to earn a draw after trailing 2-0 in the first half-hour.So good was the Whites’ comeback that they went 3-2 up by the 66th minute only to concede a controversial late equaliser and in the end they could count themselves unlucky not to get all three points.Blackburn were a class apart initially as they played some cultured attacking football and opened up a two-goal lead with identically made goals.With El Hadji Diouf caught out defensively down the flank speedy left-back Markus Olsson got in behind and fired an angled shot past Paddy Kenny for the opener on 19 minutes. Eight minutes later he was free again and this time his low cross was put away by former Portuguese international Nuno Gomes.It was no more than Rovers deserved after Morten Pedersen and Gomes saw shots saved by Kenny, Gomes volleyed wide and Pedersen’s corner clipped the crossbar.
In the first half-hour Leeds’ only real response was a Rodolph Austin shot from range that was saved by former Leeds keeper Paul Robinson . But it all changed towards the end of the half with the crowd and players pumped up following a big penalty shout turned down when Ross McCormack went down in the box.

United pulled a goal back on 41 minutes when Robinson failed to deal with David Norris’s high ball and Diouf pounced to force the ball home following a six-yard box scramble.

Robinson was soon called into action again to tip over a Diouf header and half-time came with renewed hope for the Whites.

Blackburn came in for a real aerial bombardment early in the second half and were lucky to stay in front as Jason Pearce headed a good chance over and Luke Varney saw a goalbound shot blocked.

Danny Murphy went close with a shot from the edge of the box as the visitors showed they still has some attacking capability, but they were soon back pedalling again and Leeds were level on 56 minutes as Becchio got away with a little nudge and Adam Drury’s long ball was latched onto by McCormack who finished emphatically past Robinson.

United now threatened to run riot as Austin sent a header just wide and Becchio saw a header cleared off the line by Murphy with the keeper well beaten. It was no surprise when they went in front as Becchio was left unmarked at the far post to head home after Diouf’s cross had not been dealt by the Rovers defence on 66 minutes.

Fans were celebrating soon after when Pearce headed the ball into the net from a McCormack free-kick, but the joy was shortlived as referee Neil Swarbrick controversially spotted a push by the home defender.

Leeds continued to pour forward and McCormack saw a shot well saved before Diouf headed wide a good chance from another McCormack free-kick wide.

But there was a sting in the tail and more controversy as Blackburn were wrongly awarded a free-kick, from it won a corner and then equalised through substitute Ruben Rochina’s finish from close range.

With five minutes injury-time there was time for more drama as Blackburn survived a handball appeal against Murphy as he blocked McCormack’s shot then as the game switched to the other end Dickson Etuhu got free in the box only to shoot over.

There seemed to be one final twist in the very last minute when comical defending left Diouf with only Robinson to beat, but he somehow fired over. An amazing end to an amazing game.

Paddy Kenny in clear over QPR "text" row

QPR manager Mark Hughes does not expect the controversy surrounding Paddy Kenny to go any further after confirming that chairman Tony Fernandes and technical director Mike Rigg were sent abuse over the weekend by the club's former goalkeeper.Kenny joined  Leeds United during the summer and was replaced as the west Londoners' number one by Rob Green.The England international endured a nightmare debut following his move from West Ham, with a blunder for the first goal putting Swansea on course to a 5-0 victory in the season's opener.Press reports suggest that Kenny sent abusive text messages to Rigg and Fernandes late on Saturday night and in the early hours of Sunday morning, mocking the result and Green's performance.Rigg is also understood to have received calls up until 3am on Sunday, leading him to make a complaint to Leeds.Asked about the issue today, QPR boss Hughes said: "It doesn't go anywhere from here.
"There was some text messages and telephone messages, which were to Tony Fernandes and our technical director, Mike Rigg."We felt they were inappropriate. We didn't make a formal complaint, I think Mike just got in touch with Leeds just to make them aware of the situation and just to acknowledge that actually it did occur.

"But we didn't make a formal complaint, it was just two individuals."

Match Report : Blackpool 2-1 Leeds

Two goals in five minutes turned Leeds United's game at Bloomfield Road on its head after the Whites were leading.Centre-back Tom Lees celebrated his first start of the new season by heading home Ross McCormack's corner to give Leeds the start they wanted on 16 minutes.But Blackpool, who had more of the possession and created the better chances, hit back to score twice through Nouah Dicko and Martin Phillips in the last 15 minutes and ran out 2-1 winners to end United's unbeaten start to the season.Leeds were without knee injury victim Paul Green and brought in Lees in defence with Lee Peltier switching to left-back and Aidan White onto the right wing.Blackpool dominated the early stages and Paddy Kenny was forced into two saves to deny Tiago Gomes before Lees opened the scoring.Kenny continued to deny the hosts as he pulled off fine saves from efforts by Kevin Phillips and Alex Baptiste while former Leeds player Stephen Crainey hit a shot narrowly over.Blackpool came even closer early in the second half when Thomas Ince beat Kenny only to see his powerful shot hit the woodwork.Leeds came more into the game and Ross McCormack went close before Ince lifted a shot over at the other end.

El-Hadji Diouf came on for McCormack and Leeds went on the attack with Luciano Becchio's header forcing a good save from home keeper Matt Gilks.

But Blackpool finally got the goal they had threatened 15 minutes from time when Crainey's low pull back was finished off by Nouah Dicko.

Five minutes later they scored again as Ince got round young defender Sam Byram to the bye-line and pulled the ball back for Matt Phillips to score the winner.

It could have been 3-1 before the end as Ludovic Sylvestre hit the crossbar with a free-kick and Martin Phillips missed another chance.

United rarely threatened to hit back and ultimately could have few complaints about their defeat even if they had defended bravely until the final quarter.

Leeds 1 Wolves 0

Leeds boss Neil Warnock kicked off his bid for an eighth career promotion with victory as his side made a winning start to a season for the first time since they beat Exeter in 2009.Luciano Becchio’s 18th-minute diving header sealed maximum points for a new-look United side sporting eight league debutants for the club.
That statistic was maintained when the injured Paul Green was replaced by El Hadji Diouf just before the break.Yet Warnock saw his side dominate for an hour, albeit with just the one goal to show for it.Ross McCormack was the provider, racing free down the left on to new keeper Paddy Kenny’s raking clearance and whipping in a cross that skipped across goal and found an unmarked Becchio at the back post.Leeds struggled to maintain their shape in the second half and although Wolves did not create a clear-cut chance, the hosts were glad of the final whistle.Warnock said: “They deserve a lot of credit. We have a few niggles around the place and when you looked at our players and theirs, we were half the size of them, so we’ve done well.

“You have to do what we did. The Championship is obviously a different league to the top level.“The players loved the atmosphere and playing in front of a big crowd. That was something I didn’t think we had about us last year.”

Leeds lost a club record 11 home games last season and Warnock, who took over from Simon Grayson in February, spent most of the second half of the season promising opposition managers they would never again encounter one of his sides that was so bad.

The way his new crop began certainly indicated he would be true to his word, with Leeds doing all the running and, at large, creating most of the chances.

Six minutes had gone when Luke Varney skewed over after McCormack pulled the ball back for him, before Rodolph Austin had a header blocked on the line and rookie right back Sam Byram shot wide at the end of a long goalmouth melee.

Wolves were moderately threatening in the air and Richard Stearman’s header looked as though it could trouble Kenny until team-mate Sylvan Ebanks-Blake blocked it with his arm.

Less than 60 seconds later, Leeds were ahead as Argentinian striker Becchio made the most of some slack marking.

After a frenetic start a period of calm followed, although Warnock had something to think about when Green limped two minutes before the break to be replaced by Diouf.

Wolves had held a high defensive line throughout the opening half and seemed determined to carry on doing so in the second, although it should have cost them another goal with 53 minutes gone but Varney’s touch evaded him as he broke clear.

Varney was not the only player to show early-season rustiness though, with Wolves debutant Slavomir Peszko’s cross finding no-one after Aidy White’s slip allowed him to break in to the Leeds box.

The introduction of Peszko did pep Wolves up and they started to enjoy more of the ball as a result of his presence, even if it was without hurting Leeds too much.

They had two chances when Ebanks-Blake skinned White and was dragged back on the edge of the box and when Matt Jarvis clipped a shot across goal but their poor start had left them up against it and Leeds saw the game out.

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.