Match Report Leeds 0 Watford 2

Neil Warnock made one change to his starting line-up with the suspended Darren O'Dea being replaced by Paul Connolly, who returned at right-back.But United got off to the worst possible start, conceding inside the opening five minutes. Chris Iwelumo was the goalscorer after Troy Deeney ended an advancing run by slipping the ball into his strike partner's path.United did look to respond immediately, Robert Snodgrass had a shot blocked and Alex Bruce headed the resultant corner over the bar. A free-kick was also directed over the top, but when Watford threatened again on 20 minutes, Andy Lonergan had to spread himself well to deny Deeney.It was a pretty untidy opening half hour or so with plenty of misplaced passes and scrappy challenges, yet neither side was able to take a firm grip on proceedings.There was a stoppage in the time leading up to half-time when Aidy White took another bang on the ankle, and he received lengthy treatment. Almost immediately afterwards, Bruce needed treatment for a head injury after he went up for a challenge with Iwelumo.Four minutes of time were added on and in the first minute, Snodgrass forced Tomasz Kusczak into making a good save. Lonergan also made a good save in the final minute to deny Deeney.
Warnock made a change at half-time, withdrawing White due to the injury and replacing him with Danny Webber. The second half started with Adam Clayton picking up his 10th booking of the season, meaning he will now miss the games against Reading and Derby.United started the second half on the front foot and looked to press Watford, but as the game hit the hour mark, Leeds still had nothing to show and the visitors were still looking to move on the break.With 23 minutes remaining, Warnock made his second change, Ramon Nunez replacing Clayton in the middle of the park. And, his first touch was to send a shot curling just wide of the upright from outside of the box.The game continued to be scrappy, and Snodgrass had a penalty shout waved away when he drilled a shot against a Watford defender.The game should have been all over on 82 minutes when Deeney cashed in on a defensive slip to find himself one-one-one with Lonergan, yet the Leeds keeper made a terrific save before Bruce cleared the follow-up off the line, allowing Lonergan to make a second vital stop to deny the visitors.But with less than two minutes remaining, Watford did wrap it up. Lonergan made a good save to deny Deeney, following good work by Sean Murray, but the ball fell to Iwelumo who drilled home the visitors second of the game.To compound United's woes, Paul Connolly received his marching orders in stoppage time for a second bookable offence.

Leeds 3 Nottingham Forest 7 (YES SEVEN)

Neil Warnock named an unchanged side once again for the visit of struggling Nottingham Forest. Having been held at home by West Ham at the weekend, the boss had stressed the importance of a good result against Forest, and United started on the front foot.Ross McCormack threatened early, and the Scot won a penalty when he was brought down by Adlene Guedioura. Robert Snodgrass stepped up and converted the spot-kick to give Leeds an early lead.That lead lasted barely two minutes before Guedioura equalised. The Forest man was allowed to advance before delivering a speculative strike from distance which beat Andy Lonergan.
It was a quick-fire opening to what was a pretty open contest. Both sides seemed to be able to find space and both looked to attack, although clear cut chances were few and far between.There were one or two niggly fouls and hefty challenges, and Paul Robinson found his name in the referee's notebook before the half-hour after one crunching challenge.Forest had an opportunity before the break when Lonergan felt he was impeded while looking to collect a cross and Gareth McCleary lifted a shot over the bar from inside the box.
But the visitors did snatch the lead before the break, courtesy of McCleary. Forest broke quickly and the ball fell to McCleary who scored with a deflected shot that looped over Lonergan.The visitors also started the second half on the front foot, putting United on the backfoot, and Dexter Blackstock made it 3-1 when he got up well at the back post to head home an Andy Reid cross.United were back in the game again moments later, though, when Luciano Becchio converted a cross froim the right.And it was 3-3 within a minute when Michael Brown smashed home his first goal in a Leeds shirt. A Paul Connolly throw-in was half-cleared and Brown lashed the ball home to level.The ridiculous nature of the game continued as Forest regained the lead just a minute later when McCleary raced cleared down the right in pursuit of a ball over the top and he smashed the ball past Lonergan.That took the tally to four goals in the space of five amazing second half minutes, and that flurry continued as Forest went further in front when Reid played a low ball across the edge of the box and McCleary tucked the ball home for his hat-trick.Despite an amazing flurry, the game was still open, and Lee Camp made a terrific save to deny Snodgrass with a superbly struck effort.But it was Forest, who scored again when McCleary again showed great skill down the right before cutting in and delivering another good finish to make it four for him and six for the visitors.And worse was to come when Blackstock scored his second of the game to make it 7-3 with nine minutes still remaining.

Middlesbrough 0-2 Leeds

Neil Warnock registered a first win as Leeds manager after four attempts - his reformed side easing to victory at 10-man Middlesbrough in the Championship this afternoon.

Robert Snodgrass was the man to bring Warnock his first goal since he succeeded Simon Grayson in February, dragging the ball underneath Boro keeper Jason Steele in the 18th minute.

Luciano Becchio made it two just nine minutes later following a dreadful mistake by Justin Hoyte. Barry Robson's late dismissal in a tussle with Adam Clayton added insult to injury for Boro.

Despite a much-improved performance in the second half, Tony Mowbray's men were unable to overcome the two-goal deficit and reduce the gap on the automatic promotion places. Warnock's Leeds, however, remain in 10th place but are now within four points of making a late surge for the play-off places.
A period of applause in tribute to Middlesbrough's long-serving recruitment co-ordinator Jack Watson, who passed away aged 90 yesterday morning, preceded kick-off. Becchio glanced a header across the box only for Ross McCormack to skew wide under as the visitors poured on the early pressure.

Nicky Bailey drove aimlessly over Andy Lonergan's bar as Leeds sat deep, content to restrict their hosts to speculative efforts. Lukas Jutkiewicz and Darren O'Dea then clashed heads, the latter coming off worse, and as the action resumed Marvin Emnes bustled into space to clip a promising strike into the away fans.

But the Dutchman's verve failed to inspire Boro and they soon fell behind. In the 18th minute, O'Dea sprayed a perfectly-weighted ball down the right flank for Aidan White. The Leeds-born winger dragged the ball across to the waiting Snodgrass, who slotted underneath Steele to register a first Leeds goal under Warnock's stewardship.

And less than 10 minutes after drawing first blood, Leeds doubled their lead. Hoyte failed dismally to clear a Becchio through-ball, allowing its intended recipient McCormack to claim ownership and turn the ball across the goalmouth for the Argentinian to coolly convert from six yards.

Robson forced Lonergan to punch behind as Boro pressed to gain a foothold in the game, but it might have been three to the visitors at the break if Becchio had coped better with a glorious long ball into Steele's box.

The Leeds offensive showed no signs of abating as the second half got under way, with Snodgrass quick to ripple the side netting with a fearsome drive that the away fans thought had beaten Steele.

Mowbray had opted to make no substitutions during the interval, but his side's renewed vigour soon showed. Rhys Williams angled a bullet header just wide of a post as Robson lofted a fine free-kick across the goalmouth.

Boro's momentum was interrupted, though, as Williams pulled up following a clash with Becchio, and Leeds took advantage to test Steele once more. Clayton picked his spot, his dipping drive nicking off Matthew Bates to nestle on the top of the net with the home stopper flat-footed.

The struggling Williams was withdrawn as part of a double substitution after the hour mark, Jutkiewicz also removed as Kevin Thomson and Curtis Main took to the field. A period of quiet tension preceding the final 20 minutes was only punctuated by a blazing drive beyond the near post from the eager Clayton.

McCormack was just shy of dancing on to a White back-heel in the 73rd minute as Leeds sought to put the game to bed. But the result was surely beyond Middlesbrough as recent substitute Thomson took a kick to the head, to be replaced by Bart Ogbeche.

And in a final blow to Boro's chances of a late recovery, Robson was shown a straight red card for raising his hands to Clayton as time ticked away at the Riverside. Leeds rode out the seven minutes of injury time to claim a valuable victory and delight the near 3000 travelling fans.

Hull 0-0 Leeds

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

Late Late Winner Seals Points for Leeds(again)

New Leeds United manager Neil Warnock met the players for the first time before the game and was sat in the stand watching as Neil Redfearn took charge of the team for the last time. Doncaster kicked off with 10 men after Pascal Chimbonda was sent back to the dressing room to remove an earring.Leeds started well, the recalled Andros Townsend initiating one early raid, but it was Doncaster who had the first chance when Habib Bamogo hit the post with a header. Leeds came forward, Luciano Becchio put the ball over the top after a good ball from Adam Clayton.It was an untidy opening half hour with neither side really taking a grip on the game and chances being at a premium. Robert Snodgrass created one opportunity for Clayton, but the midfielder's shot was charged down.And it was Doncaster who took the lead on 31 minutes when Andy Lonergan made a good block from James Hayter and the ball fell to Mamadou Bagayoko who drilled it home into an empty net.United actually came close to an equaliser on 37 minutes when Chimbonda almost headed a free-kick into his own goal.But it was the visitors who should have gone further ahead early in the second half when Hayter found space to get in a powerful strike on goal - but his effort struck the bar and bounced to safety.
Almost immediately, United responded and Becchio headed an Alex Bruce cross just over the top.
But Doncaster were 2-0 up on 52 minutes when they again found plenty of space and Bagayoko converted from close range after good work by El Hadj Diouf.

United pulled one back within less than two minutes, though, when Andros Townsend levelled with a good low strike from just inside the box.Townsend went close again shortly after the hour when he tried his luck from distance with a shot that flew wide of the mark. And the on loan Tottenham midfielder also provided Becchio with an inviting cross, but his header was saved by David Button.United had built up a good head of steam now and were pushing forward in search of a leveller. Ross McCormack was next to be denied by the Doncaster goalkeeper as he looked to take the ball around Button.Robbie Rogers was introduced with 12 minutes to go, but it was Snodgrass who created the next chance with another good delivery for Becchio.
But Leeds were level with 10 minutes left when Clayton got on the end of a good ball in from Snodgrass and scored with a sweet strike to make it 2-2.
With the impetus firmly with United, Doncaster looked to slow things down and hold on to the point. As the game hit the 90-minute mark, and the fourth official displayed five minutes of added time, there was a lengthy and worrying stoppage after Rogers and Tommy Spurr had a clash of heads and both were stretchered off.
Play eventually resumed almost six minutes later, and in the 99th minute it was the Leeds who were celebrating when Becchio latched on to a loose ball to smash it home from just inside the box to settle the points.While police reinforcements were seen sprinting into the tunnel after the game following a huge altercation between players from both sides.

Leeds 1 Brighton 2

An injury-time goal from Alan Navarro handed Neil Redfearn his first defeat as Leeds United caretaker manager as the Whites lost 2-1 to Brighton at Elland Road.After a goalless first 75 minutes Saturday’s Npower Championship game exploded into life in the final quarter as Leeds went one down then hit back and appeared to have done enough to earn a point only for the late strike to leave them empty handed against one of their rivals for a play-off spot.There was little to choose between the teams, but United started well and should have been in front inside four minutes only for Luciano Becchio to head wide from a delicious Robert Snodgrass cross.The Whites were then denied a stonewall penalty on 12 minutes when Ross McCormack was felled in the box by Gordon Greer, but referee Graham Salisbury, who went on to have an awful game, denied the massive shout.Becchio headed over and McCormack was off target with a long range strike before Brighton finally got their first effort in on goal on 24 minutes, Navarro firing over from just inside the box.The visitors then showed why they were unbeaten in eight coming into the game as they had a good spell, but aside from a couple of straight forward saves for Andy Lonergan there was no huge threat on the home goal up to half-time.The second half got off to an exciting start as only desperate defence denied Becchio as he came in to meet a Snodgrass cross that squirmed out of the grasp of Brighton keeper Peter Brezovan.
At the other end, Joe Mattock saw his shot deflected just wide and Sam Vokes was denied twice in a minute by Lonergan, the first time with a superb save after the ex-United striker was left unmarked in the box to get his shot in.Leeds’ on loan right-back Adam Smith, who in the first half brought a save out of Brezovan, fired over when well placed and the game had really opened up. McCormack hit two strikes over and Tom Lees saw a header from a corner saved on the line by the keeper.But it remained scoreless until the introduction of Brighton striker Craig Mackail-Smith, who scored with his first touch after Lonergan was caught out by a near post corner.United’s reply was swift as Aidan White won a corner and Becchio then met Snodgrass’s delivery with a fine header that saw the ball creep in at the far post.Leeds went for the winner, but it was their opponents who got it in the first minute of injury-time as Navarro found space on the edge of the box and beat Lonergan with a low shot.

Match Report Leeds 3 Ipswich 1

Robert Snodgrass, Ross McCormack and Luciano Becchio all made the most of some hapless defending to rescue Leeds as 10-man Ipswich pressed the self-destruct button at Elland Road.The visitors were well in control after midfielder Andy Drury had given them a 34th-minute lead, but once goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, who has just completed a loan spell at Leeds before joining Ipswich last week, was sent off for deliberate handball in the 71st minute, Paul Jewell's side fell apart.
Defender Ibrahima Sonko handed Snodgrass a 74th-minute equaliser by playing the ball to the Leeds winger in the six-yard box, McCormack capitalised on replacement keeper Arran Lee-Barrett's indecision eight minutes later and Becchio pounced on Tommy Smith's error in the 91st minute to lift Simon Grayson's side back to within a point of the play-offs.Simon Grayson said: "We were poor in the first half - there is no getting away from that."We went behind to a soft goal but the sending-off changed the game. You could sense the anxiety of our players until our first goal went in. They were a different animal after that and showed their character."Players are not robots. They make mistakes at times, as we saw. We managers are all under pressure at times because it is a ruthless industry but you keep faith in your ability."

Match Report:Crystal Palace 1-1 Leeds United

Robert Snodgrass stepped off the bench to rescue a point for Leeds against 10-man Crystal Palace just over two weeks after undergoing surgery on his appendix.

The Scotland international, a surprise inclusion in the Leeds squad, struck from close range in the 63rd minute to cancel out Chris Martin's early opener for Palace.

The hosts played the second period with 10 men after striker Sean Scannell had been sent off on the stroke of half-time for a second yellow card.

It was the second game running Leeds had come from behind against 10 men after Ross McCormack's stoppage-time winner against Burnley in their last league outing, but today's point did little for either side's npower Championship play-off aspirations.

Palace, with one eye on Wembley in the Carling Cup, have won just three of their last their last eight league games and have dropped to 13th place, while Leeds slipped to 11th, albeit just one point adrift of the top six.

Palace wasted little time in picking up where they left off in their Carling Cup semi-final win over Cardiff on Tuesday night - Anthony Gardner's goal gave them a slender lead to take into the second leg - to take a sixth-minute lead.

Martin cut inside on the left side of the penalty area and arrowed an angled shot into the bottom corner beyond Leeds goalkeeper Andy Lonergan for his second goal of the season.

Leeds spurned their best chance when unmarked midfielder Danny Pugh lashed Adam Clayton's corner over the crossbar from six yards.

Julian Speroni then pulled off two fine saves in quick succession to keep his side ahead.

The Palace keeper smothered Clayton's effort from inside the area and then parried defender Tom Lees' shot in the 36th minute.

Palace were reduced to 10 men on the stroke of half-time. Scannell, already booked for a foul on Andros Townsend, was shown a second yellow card by referee David Coote for his clumsy challenge on Pugh.

Returning Ross McCormack's close-range effort was blocked by Paddy McCarthy and Speroni saved again, from Lees' header, as the visitors looked to make their extra man count after the break.

Leeds manager Simon Grayson sent on Snodgrass for defender Aidy White in the 56th minute and was rewarded seven minutes later.

McCormack slipped the ball to his fellow Scot inside the box and Snodgrass tucked the ball into the bottom corner from six yards.

Republic of Ireland defender Paul McShane, signed on loan from Hull this week, made his Palace debut when replacing Mustapha Dumbuya in the 67th minute.

But Leeds continued to press. Snodgrass, Pugh and Clayton were all off target with long-distance efforts, while Speroni denied Leeds an 86th-minute winner when keeping out substitute Mikael Forssell's close-range shot.

Snodgrass out after appendix surgery

Leeds United winger Robert Snodgrass has been sidelined for several weeks after undergoing surgery to remove his appendix.Snodgrass had an operation on Thursday afternoon and has been ruled out of Saturday’s match at Barnsley.He is likely to be missing from action for much of January.Manager Simon Grayson told the club’s official website: “It wasn’t something that was planned but we were hoping to keep it quiet until after the teamsheets had been exchanged at Barnsley in order not to alert our opponents.“We’re not putting any timescale on things but hopefully he won’t be absent for too long a period.”

Match Report Derby 1 Leeds 0

Derby’s recent dominance of Leeds continued at Pride Park this afternoon as Jamie Ward’s second-half goal earned the Rams a sixth straight win over their Yorkshire rivals.Ward was on hand to convert after his initial 67th-minute shot had been parried by Andy Lonergan and, with Leeds unable to respond, Nigel Clough’s men hung on for what was just a second win in nine and a first clean sheet in 15.The full-time whistle marked a second straight defeat for Leeds and they are now three games without a win. Chairman Ken Bates has already turned the heat up on manager Simon Grayson, celebrating three years in charge today, by demanding promotion this season, but this was not the performance of a side destined for better things.A late flurry apart, United created no genuine chances and, although Derby offered up little more, they did signal some intent when Ward hit the post in the first half and could lay claim to being deserving winners.
Derby did the double over Leeds last season, with their 2-1 victory at Pride Park in April putting the skids on Leeds’ ultimately fruitless chase of a play-off place, and the away side started as though they had revenge on their minds.A slip from John Brayford allowed Aidan White a run which Shaun Barker halted, with Michael Brown drilling wide through a crowd of bodies from the subsequent corner.After surviving that early flurry, Derby settled and Nathan Tyson, making an injury-delayed first start since his summer move from Nottingham Forest, should have done better than warm Lonergan’s palms when he got free in the 15th minute.Leeds’ leading scorer Ross McCormack then fizzed in a 35-yard drive out of nothing that Frank Fielding had to scramble to turn away, before Ward went the closest out of anyone when he worked an opening and crunched an effort into the base of Lonergan’s post.The former Sheffield United winger got the better of Tom Lees and found half a yard inside the box, with the strike rebounding into the path of the onrushing Paul Green who should have done better than bundle it away from goal.It was then Leeds’ turn to go close, with Scotland winger Robert Snodgrass at the heart of their chances. His jinking run was halted by Gareth Roberts and, from the subsequent free-kick from the corner of the box, his stinging hit was tipped over by Fielding. His corner then found Luciano Becchio free but he headed over from six yards out.A scrappy 10-minute period preceded the half-time whistle but Derby emerged the better side after it, with Roberts slicing wide when a chance presented itself to him on the edge of the area.Patrick Kisnorbo then flicked a header over for Leeds and Fielding beat away an opportunist drive from Danny Pugh as the game opened up, but the pace of Derby’s attack always promised to cause problems and so it proved as they opened the scoring.Craig Bryson’s neat ball played Ward in on the left of the box and, although his first effort was smothered by Lonergan, the ball came free and he duly tucked in his third of the season.

Leeds response was not immediate and it took 20 minutes for them to test Fielding, with the former Leeds loanee keeping out a McCormack drive and then Adam Clayton’s follow-up effort. The keeper also did well to push out a Kisnorbo header, but Leeds’ charge had come too late.

Match report: Leeds United 0-1 Reading

Simon Grayson shuffled his pack for the visit of Reading. Andy Lonergan returned to the starting line-up for the first time since October after injury while Michael Brown and Ross McCormack also won recalls.Sadly, Lonergan's first taste of the action was to pick the ball out of the back of the net after Simon Church latched on to a long ball forward and lifted the ball home from the tightest of angles.It was a good finish, but a simple route to goal, and United were suddenly playing catch-up. The response was good with Leeds coming back out of the traps quickly and Reading were immediately put under pressure.But Reading went close again on the quarter-hour when Jobi McAnuff cut in from the right and blazed a shot wide of the mark.And Lonergan was called upon to make a good save low to his left on 20 minutes before Aidy White scrambled the ball away for a corner.On the half-hour, United won a free-kick when McCormack was brought down by McAnuff on the edge of the box, but the resultant set-piece was twice blocked by the Reading defence.The visitors did close go with a free-kick before the interval when Kaspars Gorkss headed over the top, and in the final moment of the half McCormack headed into the arms of Adam Federici.There were no changes for either side at half-time as United went in search of a route back into the game.The opening stages of the second period were a tight affair with United struggling to make any real headway against a well organised Reading side.United fashioned out a chance on 59 minutes when Danny Pugh, Robert Snodgrass, and Paul Connolly all combined well before a cheeky back-heel from Adam Clayton was smothered by Federici.On 65 minutes, Grayson made a triple change for United with Lloyd Sam, Andy Keogh and Mika Vayrynen all joining the fray.Keogh was the first sub to have any involvement when Paddy Kisnorbo headed on a Snodgrass free-kick, and the Irish international tried a spectacular effort which he couldn't quite pull off.There was a scramble on 74 minutes when both Luciano Becchio and Sam were denied by some good defending, but Reading's response was a quick break which put Leeds on the back foot.
Reading goalkeeper Federici had to react well to clear from Snodgrass on 80 minutes and Pugh followed up with a shot that was deflected wide, but the visitors remained strong and organised as the clock started to tick down.The final 10 minutes or saw offered little in the way of a route back for Leeds, as the visitors edged towards victory.Four minutes of stoppage time offered United a glimmer of hope, but there was to be no way back for Grayson's men as Reading picked up all three points.

Match Report Watford 1-1 Leeds

Simon Grayson was forced into shuffling his pack for the trip to Watford with skipper Jonny Howson sidelined with a knee injury and Michael Brown still feeling the effects of a knock on the ankle.The changes meant for a change of system with Danny Pugh operating in a central midfield role, alongside Adam Clayton while Andy Keogh partnered Becchio in the front line.It was a quite an open start to the contest with both sides looking to drive forward when in possession. Watford got in a couple of early crosses while Robert Snodgrass had one shot blocked when he was given space on the edge of the box.Pugh also lifted a shot over the top in the 11th minute after more good attacking play by Leeds. At the other end Marvin Sordell screwed a shot wide after he found space to create an opening.United threatened again when Snodgrass was again given space, but his shot from distance was wide of the mark. Snodgrass also delivered two good corners, the second of which Tom Lees narrowly failed to connect with.United won a series of corners, but when Watford broke after one Leeds attack, Michael Kightly was able to capitalise on some sloppy defending and after advancing, he lashed the ball beyond the reach of Alex McCarthy.While Leeds had been good enough in possession, Watford looked equally good with the ball and were causing United problems with good movement.United did have an opportunity to get back in the game on 40 minutes, but Snodgras bent a shot wide of the past when, despite goalkeeper Scott Loach being drawn, there were four Watford men on the line.Luciano Becchio was also denied following a good cross from the right as the game headed towards half-time, whjile Andy Keogh looked to referee Eddie Ilderton after going down in the box while trying to force an opening.Lloyd Sam also put an effort wide right on the stroke of half-time after more good work by Keogh.The second half opened up as a stop-start affair. Becchio did lift an ambitious attempt over the top from distance while the hosts also sent a shot wide of the mark after again finding good space.McCarthy also had to get down well to save a low effort from Troy Deeney while Sordell lifted a shot over the bar after capitalising on some sloppiness at the back.
Shortly after the hour, Grayson made a double change, introducing Mika Vayrynen and Ross McCormack. It also prompted a change in system with Aidy White and Snodgrass moving into advanced wide roles.There was no immediate impact with the changes as Watford continued to look the more likely side. White was thwarted on one advancing run and with 15 minutes remaining Snodgrass was crowded out as he looked to progress on the edge of the box.But as the game headed towards the final five minutes, United were looking increasingly unlikely in the bid to force an equaliser with Watford looking well organised and resolute.A rare hashed clearance allowed Becchio a half-chance, but the striker's first time shot was wide of the mark.And with two minutes remaining, Sordell went down under pressure from Kisnorbo and Watford were awarded a penalty. Sordell stepped up, but McCarthy got a vital fingertip and pushed his penalty onto the post.Moments later, the United keeper made another excellent save and Leeds were facing three minutes of added time in the hope of salvaging a draw.But there was drama in the 94th minute at the other end when Mika Vayrynen was brought down and Ilderton awarded Leeds a penalty. Snodgrass was the man who stepped up and he made no mistake in smashing home an equaliser with the last kick of the game to send the 2,000 travelling fans into ecstasy.

Sublime Snodgrass secures win

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

Leeds thrash Forest to honour Speed

Leeds kicked off what promises to be a long goodbye to Gary Speed with an emotional and impressive 4-0 win at Nottingham Forest.Wales manager Speed was found dead at his home on Sunday aged 42 and Leeds, with whom he won the old First Division title in 1992, were the first of his five former clubs to play since the tragic news broke.Manager Simon Grayson, who forged a lifelong friendship with Speed after they signed schoolboy forms with Leeds on the same day when they were 14, asked his players to win the game in Speed's memory.And they duly produced their best performance of the season to do so, with first-half goals from Robert Snodgrass and Jonny Howson and second-half strikes from Luciano Becchio and Adam Clayton doing the damage.Leeds' dominant on-field display was almost a backdrop to a celebration of Speed's life off it, though.Prior to kick-off the two sets of fans shelved historic animosities dating back to the feuds of Brian Clough and Don Revie to join together in a minute's applause, while the travelling support chanted Speed's name for 11 minutes during the first half.Speed predominantly wore that shirt number throughout his 312 appearances for Leeds and it was during that vocal tribute that they opened the scoring.They had started the better of the sides with Snodgrass twice going close, before Becchio's flick played in Howson and he drew a save from Lee Camp. Michael Brown, making a first start since September 10, then worked the keeper somewhat harder from 30 yards.The pressure soon told and in the 20th minute, Leeds took the lead. Snodgrass picked up possession midway through the Forest half and, after a handful of paces, he beat Camp with a crisp left-footed drive from 20 yards. The goal was celebrated no more vehemently than by Grayson who was close to breaking down on the sidelines.

Forest had no answer to Leeds' pressure and Becchio soon broke through looking to make it two but Joel Lynch made a last-ditch saving tackle, before Lynch's defensive partner Wes Morgan made an even more impressive block.Seven minutes before the break Snodgrass got clear and, although Camp left his goal to meet him, Snodgrass won the tackle between the two. He then tried to find the vacant goal but Morgan managed to get back and deflect his 25-yard effort over.A jinking run from Snodgrass then laid on a simple chance that Howson should have finished, although it mattered little as the two combined to greater effect just seconds later.Becchio's touch found Snodgrass, whose cushioned pass set Howson free down the right. He was still 25 yards from goal but hit a first-time half-volley that gave Camp no chance and found the top corner for his first goal since his effort during a 4-1 win over Forest in April.Forest introduced the powerful Ishmael Miller at half-time in a bid to start a rescue mission, but their task got all the harder in the 49th minute when Becchio rose to head in a Brown cross for his second of the season.Miller's arrival did give his side a new outlet, though, and his header, although comfortably held by Alex McCarthy just before the hour, marked his side's first real chance.However it was only a momentary spark for Forest and with 24 minutes left Leeds made it four. Howson robbed Greg Cunningham of possession just outside the area and, although his shot was parried by Camp, Clayton was on hand to despatch the rebound.Forest midfielder Andy Reid saw red for a second yellow card with 11 minutes to go to cap an awful night for his side.

Match Report Leeds 1-2 Barnsley

Alex McCarthy was the latest victim of Leeds’ keeper curse after his twin errors gifted Barnsley a shock Yorkshire derby triumph.The on-loan Reading man – making his home debut – was beaten by Ricardo Vaz Te’s scuffed 27th-minute shot.And then he failed to hold Jacob Butterfield’s shot two minutes before the break to present Craig Davies with an open goal.Despite Ross McCormack’s stunning second-half effort and a late sending off for David Perkins, Barnsley held out to complete only their second away victory of the campaign.McCarthy’s mistakes came in the first game at Elland Road since Paul Rachu bka’s embarrassing performance in the 5-0 loss to Blackpool that saw him shipped off to Tranmere.And it left Leeds fans praying for quick return from the crocked Andy Lonergan who is due back early next month.But boss Simon Grayson refused to condemn his keeper.“The first one was unfortunate but the second one, the lad’s hit it well and it’s difficult to palm it away,” he said.“I’m not going to show any criticism towards Alex because he’s a great goalkeeper.”Barnsley boss Keith Hill was delighted with his players.“To come to Elland Road and win is up there was one of my best moments. It was great to celebrate with the players at the end,” he said.Grayson’s side spent much of the week playing FIFA 2012 – but this was as far away from fantasy football as you can get.Although Robert Snodgrass was crowned king of the computer game, he soon discovered he could not walk it into the net in real life.The Scot’s speculative effort from outside the area was Leeds’ only effort of the opening stages and it soon became a war of attrition.Lowly Barnsley won plenty of the midfield battle and grew in confidence.Yet it was still a surprise when they took the lead with their first chance of the game.
Jim O’Brien’s cross from the right found Vaz Te. The ex-Bolton forward completely scuffed his shot. But McCarthy had already dived and the ball embarrassingly beat him in slow motion.Leeds struggled for a way back in as Stephen Foster came close to No.2 for the Tykes when he headed over from Danny Butterfield’s inviting free-kick.But Barnsley did not have long to wait – and McCarthy was left with his head in his hands.The outstanding Butterfield’s long- ranger was straight at him but McCarthy fumbled and Davies gleefully accepted his fifth goal in the last five matches.Leeds looked nervy right across the backline and it is a problem that manager Grayson needs to sort out quickly – or they can forget all about a return to the Premier League this season.Perkins saw red with two minutes left for a second yellow for bringing down Keogh but the Tykes held on.And Grayson said: “It was frustrating after our last two away wins. We did not do good enough things.“It’s not easy in this league. People will say we’ve not won in four at home. But we needed someone to show us that spark.“They were more of a threat than us and they hit us on the counter-attack.
“They played a system that suited them and they will get some good results.”

Snodgrass "we’re fighting and we’re going to keep on fighting.“

Robert Snodgrass believes Leeds’ fight back at Turf Moor proves they have the battling qualities needed to gain promotion.The Scottish midfielder scored twice late on as ­Simon Grayson’s men came from behind to snatch victory at Burnley.Snodgrass’s double outshone Jay Rodriguez’s opener for the Clarets and the win moved Leeds into the play-off spots.Last season Leeds were battling it out at the top of the Championship table, but a serious dip in form towards the end of the campaign saw them miss out on the play-offs.However, Snodgrass ­believes recovering from a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Blackpool with a win over Leicester and a comeback at Turf Moor proves they are made of sterner stuff this year.He said: “We’ve had two great victories against two teams that have done well in the Championship.“They made it difficult for us, but it’s showed our character, that we’ve come back from the Blackpool defeat. It’s very sweet. This takes us further and we’re up there.“This shows the fans we’re fighting and we’re going to keep on fighting.“The first part of the ­season last year we were up there but we fell away towards the end.“This year we will keep fighting and it’s up to the manager and the backroom staff to help us put that right.”

Match Report Leeds 1-1 Cardiff

Robert Snodgrass struck a second-half equaliser for Leeds after an inspired performance by David Marshall had threatened to deny the home side.Cardiff took a 17th-minute lead when Joe Mason pounced on Darren O'Dea's hesitancy for an opportunist strike.Leeds completely dominated from then on as Snodgrass, Ross McCormack and Adam Clayton tested Marshall.But the goalkeeper had no chance when Snodgrass poked in from Tom Lees' knock-down 17 minutes from time.Lees then wasted a glorious chance to snatch victory in the dying stages but he failed to connect properly with a free header from six yards.Cardiff, who have now failed to win in six consecutive away games, could have had few complaints had Lees scored after offering almost nothing as an attacking force in the second half.The result ends a string of six straight defeats for Leeds against the Bluebirds, but the home side created enough opportunities to feel they deserved better.Cardiff's opener owed much to Mason's perseverance but O'Dea's dithering just inside his own penalty box was the deciding factor.The centre-back won the race to Peter Whittingham's speculative through ball, but he stumbled as he attempted to clear, giving Mason the opportunity to nick the ball.Mason, whose fine recent form kept Kenny Miller and Rob Earnshaw on the bench, shifted the ball to his left to avoid Rachubka's lunge and finished with his left foot at full stretch for his third goal in as many games.
O'Dea could point to a slight nudge from behind as he reached the ball, but it was his own indecision that opened the door for Mason.Leeds responded positively, and both Andy Keogh and McCormack were inches away from connecting with Paul Connolly's superb low cross behind Cardiff's static back four.Keogh's earlier header had forced Marshall into a point-blank save, and then the keeper got down well to turn Snodgrass' header around the post.The home side then took full control after the break as they added much needed impetus into their play, but they found Marshall on top form.Snodgrass fired a thunderous drive straight at the Scotsman, before McCormack's low curler forced the keeper to dive low to his left.Adam Clayton was the next to try his luck - his first effort, a 30-yard drive, was tipped over, and a desperate block from a Cardiff defender then spared Marshall from more work from his fierce volley.From the resulting corner, Marshall produced the save of the match as he threw a strong left hand to stop Jonathan Howson's downward header.But the incessant Leeds pressure finally brought the deserved equaliser on 73 minutes as Snodgrass ended Marshall's impressive resistance.Lees rose highest to meet a hopeful ball into the Bluebirds box and Snodgrass poked the ball home as Marshall chose to stay on his line.

Cardiff were lucky to escape when Lees' glancing header went inches wide, but Aron Gunnarsson almost snatched an unlikely away win in the final minute when he headed over from no more than two yards.

Grayson Peps up Snodgrass

Robert Snodgrass is enjoying a new lease of life after a career-boosting chat with Leeds boss Simon Grayson.The former Livingston winger fell so far ­below the high standards he had set since moving south of the border that Grayson gave him some advice ­after Leeds’ 3-0 Carling Cup ­defeat against ­Manchester ­United last month.Some fans were convinced that talk of a possible move into the Premier League in the summer had unsettled the man ­renowned for making asses of full-backs and laying on a procession of crosses for the club’s strikers.While Max Gradel was sold to St Etienne for an undisclosed fee, Leeds rejected a ­£3.5million offer from Norwich for ­Snodgrass, who remained at ­Elland Road where he looked a shadow of his former self in the early weeks of the season.Now the tricky Scotland ­international faces Leeds’ bogey side Cardiff with ­Grayson drooling over the winger’s improvement.The Leeds boss said: “I had a chat with him after the ­Manchester United game and I didn’t hold back.“I told him, ‘You are more concerned with what is happening all over the pitch instead of concentrating on what you need to do. Affect the game and everyone else will ­concentrate on doing the jobs they are supposed to be doing’.Snod cares passionately about the game, the team and how we can get good results – but maybe that was affecting his own ­performances on the pitch.“Since the Manchester United game he has been an absolute joy.“His work-rate, closing down and quality of delivery have been ­unbelievable recently.“Players are not daft. They realise when things are not going for them, but Snod has analysed his game and wants to get better and better.”Snodgrass, 24, scored seven goals last season when Leeds finished seventh, missing out on a play-off place by just three points.
But his only strike so far this time came back in August in a 4-1 ­trouncing of Yorkshire rivals Hull City.
He will be especially keen to put that right against Cardiff, who haven’t lost at Elland Road for 28 years and thrashed Leeds 4-0 in the ­corresponding game last term.Also looking to hit the target is top scorer Ross McCormack, who grabbed 25 goals in 75 league games for the Welshmen before joining Leeds in ­August last year.

McCormack has ten goals to his name in all competitions this season but ­after a purple patch of nine in eight league games, the hitman has drawn a blank in his last three ­outings for Grayson’s side.

Match Report Birmingham 1 Leeds 0

Simon Grayson made one change to the side which beat Peterborough on Saturday with Robert Snodgrass replacing Mika Vayrynen in the starting line-up.United were seven unbeaten going into the Blues clash while the home side were six unbeaten in all competitions and it was a meeting of two in-form sides.Birmingham had won at Bristol City on Sunday, and it was the home side who started the brighter of the two with Chris Burke looking lively down the right.But it was United who fashioned out the first chance on 11 minutes following a great build-up involving Darren O'Dea, Andy Keogh, Danny Pugh and Ross McCormack before Robert Snodgrass slid a shot wide. It was a terrific pattern of play from Leeds.At the other end, Burke found space again down the right, but Jonathan Spector was unable to connect with his cross despite a diving header.
Yet, despite looking a little off the pace, United still created the better chances, and after winning a couple of corners, Adam Clayton tested Boaz Myhill with a glove-stinging strike from distance which forced a terrific save from the home goalkeeper.Moments later, McCormack had a shot deflected wide while, on the break, Jean Beausejour had a low effort saved by Paul Rachubka.But it was Birmingham who went 1-0 up in the 36th minute. The ball initially came out from the home defence and after it came into the Leeds boss from the right, and wasn't cleared, Nikola Zigic was able to finsh off an untidy goal to give the hosts the advantage. Zigic was also denied by Rachubka in stoppage time.Leeds did threaten before half-time when Paul Connolly whipped in a cross from the right which was turned for a corner, From the set-play, Keogh headed over the bar. Connolly had to alert at the other end on the stroke of half-time to deal with Marlon King cross when Zigic was again closing in.The hosts, who were well organised and hard working, but with no real sparkle, started the second half in similar fashion with Leeds struggling to win possession and giving Birmingham too much of the ball.As the game ticked past the hour mark, Leeds were becoming starved of chances against a home side who were working hard and looking to move the ball quickly. The Blues moved the ball from back to front at pace, and Zigic almost profited from one such move when he fired wide.When the home side threatened again, Darren O'Dea hacked the ball away from King for a corner, but Leeds were slowly starting to show some urgency. Luciano Becchio and Lloyd Sam both came on as Grayson looked to shake things up a little, the latter coming on with just over 15 minutes left on the clock.Mika Vayrynen was also introduced with 14 minutes left, replacing Adam Clayton in the United midfield.United were hanging on the game in the hope of salvaging something, and Snodgrass tried his luck with a shot which went wide on 82 minutes.
Leeds were looking livelier and McCormack tested Myhill again with a vicious strike which the keeper had to make an instinctive save, palming the ball over the bar. There were also calls for a handball when a O'Dea fired in a far post header which was scrambled clear.In the final minute, the two substitutes combined, but Vayrynen couldn't keep his header from a Sam cross. Aty the other end, Rachubka had to make a great save to deny Zigic in stoppage time.
But it was to prove a frustrating evening for a Leeds side who never really go going against an average Birmingham outfit, and the unbeaten run came to an end in the West Midlands.

Match Report Doncaster 0 Leeds 3

Leeds United moved into the top six for the first time this season with a classy demolition of Yorkshire neighbours Doncaster Rovers.Striker Ross McCormack was the star of the show, scoring a brilliant overhead kick for Leeds that confirmed his status as the leading goalscorer in the Championship.McCormack has now bagged 10 goals in 13 appearances this season – the sort of form that will attract the attention of Scotland manager Craig Levein.Danny Pugh and Tom Lees scored the other goals as Leeds underlined their intention to push for promotion to the Premier League this season.Buoyed by a return of 10 points from their previous four games, and roared on by nearly 4,500 vociferous supporters, Leeds looked extremely high on confidence.

Even the addition of former England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland and West Ham United defender Herita Ilunga to the Rovers’ line-up could not prevent defeat.Midfielder Robert Snodgrass had recovered from the ankle injury which led to his withdrawal from Scotland’s Euro 2012 qualifiers against Lichtenstein and Spain allowing manager Simon Grayson – in his 150th match in charge of Leeds – to name the side which had inflicted defeat on Portsmouth before the international break.Rovers defender Richard Naylor, released by Leeds last summer, sent Ross McCormack tumbling to the deck early on prompting shouts for a penalty in the Leeds technical area.Referee Kevin Friend ignored the appeal and that of Billy Sharp soon after when nudged in the back by Leeds defender Darren O’Dea.Leeds took the lead with 20 minutes gone when Pugh, on loan from Stoke City, scored for the second game in a row.Rovers defender George Friend had been penalised near the corner flag for a push on McCormack and Pugh volleyed home the subsequent delivery from Snodgrass.Leeds broke regularly at speed from midfield – exposing a shortage of pace in their opponents – but they were often let down by a poor final ball.Kirkland, who had not played first-team football since January, was rarely tested before the interval apart from with the goal.However, he still showed a good pair of hands to hold a well-driven 25-yard free-kick from McCormack. Striker Jon Parkin glanced a header wide for Rovers but it was a rare scare for Leeds.Five minutes after the break, McCormack doubled Leeds’s advantage with a stunning overhead kick.The Scot had his back to goal when receiving the ball from Andy Keogh 10 yards out but leapt acrobatically to volley over his shoulder and into the roof of the net.

Things got worse for Rovers on 64 minutes when Leeds defender Lees rose to head in Snodgrass’s corner.
Leeds suffered a late injury blow when goalkeeper Andy Lonergan had to come off following a tangle with substitute James Hayter.Striker Keogh then rattled the crossbar as Leeds threatened to rub salt in the wounds.The majority of the home supporters had gone long before the final whistle.While they will never forget the memory of beating Leeds in a League One play-off final four years ago, it is now 60 years and eight games since they enjoyed a home win over their rivals from West Yorkshire.