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.

Leeds turn down £4million offer from Cardiff City for Ross McCormack

Leeds United have turned down a £4million offer from Cardiff City for Ross McCormack,according to Sky Sports. McCormack has been the subject of a bid from West Ham already this month, and they have not returned with a new offer. Cardiff City have now tested Leeds' resolve with a £4million offer - but Leeds have shunned the bid. Sunderland had also been linked with a late move for the Scotland international - but as yet they have not made a bid.

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.

Cardiff City Latest Club linked to Ross McCormack

West Ham United have according to Leeds United manager Brian McDermott abandoned there pursuit of Leeds Captain Ross McCormack ."The bid for Ross was rejected on Friday and I've have spoken to Sam Allardyce since and he has said that they won't be coming back in for him," McDermott told the club's official website. "I'm confident that he will be here after the window closes on Friday. Ross has never asked to leave. He is my captain and he is a talisman for our team. "He scores goals and he makes them as well. He has been a good leader for the team and for me and I'm confident he will remain here. "He has been important since April, since I turned up at the club. I'm sure that he will get better and better and will and we are going to have him for his prime years." However according to reports Cardiff City are set to bid for McCormack.Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been extremely busy so far in the transfer window with moves of Fabio, Kenwyne Jones and Wilfired Zaha set be completed but Cardiff’s business is set to continue with a bid for the leading goal scorer in the Championship.But with Vincent Tan showing he is not scared to back his new manager with cash, Solskjaer is set to make his own bid to land McCormack, who made 74 appearances for the Welsh side during a two-year spell at the club. The former Motherwell striker has scored 17 goals this season and the Norwegian manager believes the 27-year-old can add instant firepower to a side that are currently bottom of the Premier League on goal difference.

West Ham Step Up Ross McCormack Bid

West Ham are poised to make an improved £5million offer for Leeds United striker Ross McCormack.Leeds rejected a £3.5m offer from Upton Park on Friday.Scotland international McCormack is the Championship's leading scorer this season with 17 goals, one more than Jordan Rhodes of Blackburn. The 27-year-old was also made Leeds captain just last week.Leeds chairman Salah Nouruddin said on Twitter last week: 'I'd like to reassure all lufc fans that we're working hard for the club and can confirm we've rejected an offer from West Ham for Ross'.West Ham signed another striker on Saturday, taking Marco Borriello on loan from Roma for the rest of the season, and they have until Friday’s 11pm transfer deadline to make a better offer for McCormack.

West Ham Bid for Ross McCormack

West Ham United have made a bid for Leeds United captain Ross McCormack, Sky Sports are reporting. The Scotland international is the top scorer in the Championship with 18 goals to his name already. McCormack signed a new long-term deal last summer, when Leeds fended off multiple bids from rivals Middlesbrough for the the 27-year-old. Now Sam Allardyce's Hammers, who are desperate to bolster their squad as they battle to avoid relegation, have launched a move to try and lure McCormack to Upton Park. McCormack has just been made captain at Elland Road by manager Brian McDermott, who will not want to lose his star striker. But West Ham are confident that they can prise McCormack away as they look to complete at least three deals before the transfer window closes next Friday.

Match Report :Leeds 0-1 Leicester

Leeds United came away with no points from their game against Sky Bet Championship leaders Leicester City at Elland Road.The table toppers were made to look ordinary, but after the Leeds missed a hatful of chances in the first half-hour they were made to pay as they fell to a cruel 88th minute winner scored by David Nugent from Leicester’s only shot on target. Brian McDermott made four changes after the shocking 6-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday and went back to basics as he had indicated with a 4-4-2 formation and Luke Varney brought in up front to play alongside Ross McCormack. In midfield Michael Brown returned while Sam Byram and Stephen Warnock were restored to their full-back positions. The biggest change was in attitude as Leeds came out fired up and got in their opponents’ faces right from the start, forcing mistakes and dominating the early exchanges. They were unlucky not to go in front in the fifth minute when Varney latched onto a loose clearance to cross the ball and McCormack’s header hit the post. Leicester replied in kind as Jamie Vardy got in behind a hesitant home defence to strike a shot against the outside of the post, but it was United forcing the pace and they came close again on eight minutes. Following a weak punch by former Leeds stopper Kasper Schmeichel the ball fell to McCormack and his lob beat the keeper only to be headed off the line by Matty James. A follow-up shot by the United top scorer was then deflected and tipped wide by Schmeichel. Varney headed wide from a corner a minute later then Jimmy Kebe sent a header into the side netting from a Rudy Austin cross. United continued to swarm forward and more great chasing down by Varney led to Leicester defender Paul Konchesky playing a loose pass. McCormack latched onto it and ran clean through only to be denied by a superb save by Schmeichel. The follow-up fell to Varney only for his header to be easily cleared. Leicester were fortunate to survive again on 26 minutes when Tom Lees somehow headed over a gaping goal after Schmeichel had misjudged a cross. But after all the chances and misses the visitors survived and gradually got a foothold in the game. Anthony Knockaert showed that they could still be a danger as he flashed a shot over from the edge of the box. The second half was an even contest and lacked the excitement of the first. Brown saw a shot from the edge of the box comfortably saved while James was not far wide from a similar range at the other end. Cameron Stewart, who was disappointing on his home debut, did have a couple of shots deflected wide, but in contrast to earlier Leeds struggled to create openings for all their endeavour. Leicester did not look any more likely to score, but they did late on when Liam Moore’s ball into the box was dummied by substitute Kevin Phillips and Nugent took a touch before being quicker than Lees and Paddy Kenny to the ball to poke it home from close range. Defeats do not come much tougher to take than this, but the facts are that Leeds have now lost five games on the trot and have only scored three goals in their last seven matches.

Ross McCormack is Leeds United's new captain

Leeds United manager Brian McDermott has confirmed striker Ross McCormack as the club's new captain. McCormack, the club's leading goalscorer with 18 goals in all competitions this season, will replace Rudy Austin who was appointed as club captain at the start of the season. McDermott revealed he took the decision to hand McCormack the armband following talks with Austin earlier this week. "The situation is that I had a good conversation with Rudy Austin - he is a great guy and we had a good discussion." McDermott told the club's website. I want Rudy to play his game. He feels his personality isn't conducive to that role. "You can see his leadership qualities in the way he plays and tracks back. Leeds United means so much to him. I just want to take that pressure away and I want him to play the way he wants with freedom. "I actually spoke to Ross in April and said 'we need leaders and you are leader.' Whether he saw himself as a leader then I don't know. "I see him as a talisman and a leader. He has matured an awful lot. Everyone knows what he thinks about Leeds United." McCormack's first match as club skipper will be the lunchtime clash at home to Sky Bet Championship leaders Leicester City on Saturday, The Scotland international tweeted: "Absolutely delighted to be the captain of Leeds United. Really looking forward to it. A proud day for myself and my family."

Match Report:Sheffield Wednesday 6-0 Leeds

Sheffield Wednesday registered their biggest-ever Yorkshire derby win against Leeds with a 6-0 thrashing to maintain their climb up the Sky Bet Championship table. First-half goals from defender Reda Johnson and big striker Atdhe Nuhiu put Wednesday firmly in control and after Leeds substitute Matt Smith had been sent off two minutes into the second period, Connor Wickham added a killer third. Chris Maguire's deflected free-kick in the 67th minute and substitute Caolan Lavery's superb late double ensured Leeds slumped to their heaviest defeat of the season and not since a 4-0 victory in October 1955 have Wednesday enjoyed such a comfortable win against their White Rose rivals.Wednesday extended their unbeaten run to five matches and the manner of this latest success will surely convince chairman Milan Mandaric to make caretaker boss Stuart Gray the club's permanent manager. On-loan Sunderland striker Wickham was one of three changes to Wednesday's starting line-up, while Leeds' new signings Cameron Stewart and Jimmy Kebe both made largely ineffective debuts on the left and right wing respectively. Wednesday were first to threaten, but winger Jacques Maghoma lost his balance when sent clear into the penalty area and Nuhiu headed Johnson's cross off target. Defender Jason Pearce headed Leeds' first effort wide from Kebe's cross, while Wickham lashed a low angled shot inches wide at the other end after a swift Wednesday counter-attack. The home side then took the lead. Wickham's free-kick was not properly cleared and midfielder Kieran Lee clipped a fine ball over the top to pick out Johnson in the penalty area and the unmarked defender had plenty of time to steer the ball home from six yards, off his shin, for his third goal of the season. Wednesday were comfortably the more cohesive side and Maguire crashed in a low 25-yard shot that forced Leeds goalkeeper Paddy Kenny into a smart near post save.Leeds began to find their range and enjoyed more possession, but Wednesday dealt the visitors a massive blow with a second goal just before half-time. Wickham dispossessed Leeds skipper Rudy Austin and ran 30 yards before slipping the ball to Lee and he rolled the perfect pass across the six-yard box for Nuhiu to slide the ball home at the far post. Wednesday could have been out of sight moments later when the impressive Lee set defender Liam Palmer free in the box, but he fired low into the side-netting. Leeds were dealt another blow seconds after the restart when half-time substitute Smith was shown a straight red card by referee Lee Probert after colliding with Johnson. Wednesday then struck their third, all but securing their fourth league win under Gray three minutes later. Wickham's backheel spun kindly off Maghoma and the forward powered into the left edge of the area before drilling a low left-footed shot inside Kenny's near post. Maguire's 25-yard free-kick after Austin's foul on Maghoma deflected off the Leeds skipper to wrong-foot Kenny and make it 4-0 in the 67th minute and Lavery, recalled from a loan spell at Plymouth this week, turned the visitors' defence inside out before netting in the 80th minute. It could have been worse for Leeds, but Wednesday substitute Jermaine Johnson's stinging effort in the closing stages hit the post and Wickham's goal-bound shot was deflected over the crossbar by Leeds defender Pearce. But still the fun for Wednesday was not over as Lavery turned on the edge of the area to curl home a fine sixth with virtually the last kick.

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 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.

Leeds outclassed by Manchester City

Sergio Aguero struck twice as Manchester City kept their season alive by breezing into the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 4-0 win over Leeds. The Championship side were no match for the Barclays Premier League champions, who responded to last week's title setback with a dominant display at the Etihad Stadium. Yaya Toure began the procession early on before Aguero added a penalty and a fine finish either side of a close-range Carlos Tevez effort. Angered by last week's dismal loss at Southampton, Roberto Mancini kept his word and made six changes, with Joe Hart rested allowing deputy Costel Pantilimon an opportunity. The only Leeds player to make his mark early on was former City midfielder Michael Brown, who was constantly at the heels of his opponents and looking to irritate. Such was City's clear superiority it came as no surprise when they opened the scoring with just under five minutes gone. David Silva was involved in a neat move before Yaya Toure exchanged passes with Tevez on the edge of the box and then expertly took the ball round Jamie Ashdown. City went back on the attack and cut Leeds open with ease as Pablo Zabaleta released fellow Argentinian Aguero and another compatriot in Tevez fired narrowly wide. It seemed the Leeds defence could not cope with Aguero and Tom Lees gave him the opportunity to double the lead when he pulled him back in the area. Aguero finished emphatically from the spot and City began to stroke the ball around with even greater confidence. Leeds showed little bite and, when they did, it came some while later after Brown clipped Tevez. Aleksandar Kolarov's free-kick was deflected into the side-netting and Javi Garcia got forward to glance a header across goal from a corner. Leeds belatedly tested Pantilimon when Ross McCormack forced the Romanian to palm away a free-kick in the last minute of the first half. Leeds were left reeling once again as Aguero combined with Silva and raced into the box before clipping a ball across goal for Tevez to volley in from close range. Jack Rodwell came off the City bench and almost made an immediate impact as he headed onto the crossbar after Ashdown had parried a Yaya Toure shot. The fourth City goal came after 74 minutes as Silva split the Leeds defence with a superb pass and Aguero turned and waited for the optimum moment to curl past Ashdown. Another City substitute, Edin Dzeko, brought a good low save out of Ashdown as City cantered to victory.

Middlesbrough 1-0 Leeds

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

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.

Birmingham 1-2 Leeds

Leeds United set up an FA Cup tie at home against Tottenham after coming from behind to beat Birmingham 2-1 in their third-round replay. Wade Elliott put Birmingham ahead shortly after the half-hour mark, just as he had done in the initial meeting which finished 1-1 10 days ago. But once again Leeds levelled after the break, this time courtesy of Ross McCormack's first goal since September - an effort which had not looked like coming with 19-goal striker Luciano Becchio, a reported January transfer target for a handful of clubs, missing due to illness. El-Hadji Diouf, celebrating his 32nd birthday, then quickly completed the turnaround, keeping his cool to chip home from the penalty spot after Paul Robinson had been penalised for handball. It means Leeds will now host Spurs in the fourth round of the competition in a televised clash next Sunday, denying cash-strapped Birmingham the chance to pick up a welcome sum in the region of £200,000. United's first win at St Andrew's since 1996 also provided them with their 100th in FA Cup history and sealed progress from the third round for only the second time in 10 years.

Warnock: " if we only concede six goals today it will show we are making progress."

Extracts from Leeds United manager Neil Warnock's column in today's Independent

Someone said to me this week if we only concede six goals today it will show we are making progress. I think they meant it tongue-in-cheek, but we are playing Nottingham Forest, who beat us 7-3 at Elland Road last season. Since then they have spent millions under their new owners and Sean O'Driscoll has put together a cracking side which is unbeaten this season. Meanwhile, we have lost four of our best players, including star striker Ross McCormack, who could be out until Christmas. It doesn't sound very promising, does it? But one of the reasons I have been in football so long is that I love challenges like this. Besides, when you see the news, what with Hillsborough and the terrible death of the two lady police constables in Manchester, it makes you realise how lucky we are to get paid for playing and managing in this wonderful game. Any manager will tell you it is always the better players that get injured. McCormack, who had an operation yesterday, is obviously a major blow, especially coming after losing Adam Drury, Paul Green and David Norris. We also have a few more doubtful after the Hull match in midweek so it's all hands on deck. When I was a younger manager I wouldn't be able to sleep at night with losing players through injury or suspension, but as you get older you realise that these things happen and hope someone else grabs the opportunity. With all these injuries it has not gone unnoticed that the takeover of the club is an ongoing saga, but I am hoping a conclusion will be forthcoming soon and we can strengthen the squad to give us a chance of moving up the table. While today's game pits two big names against each other, Tuesday's televised Capital One Cup tie against Everton will bring back even more memories of the glory days for our fans, who I am sure are relishing the occasion. It will be nice to see Phil Jagielka, who played for me at Sheffield United, but I hope he doesn't have too good a game. I usually rest a few in this competition but there is no selection dilemma this time: I'll be picking everyone who is fit.