Championship round-up 02/11/13: Leeds grind out victory

Article by Championship Correspondent Lucas Whitehead

Leeds United 2-0 Yeovil Town

Norman Hunter oversaw a less than convincing 2-0 victory over the Glovers. Just less than a week after his 70th birthday, Norman Hunter was honoured by the club for his service and birthday. Therefore the game was known as Norman Hunter day. Leeds didn’t start well and Yeovil began to grow into the game only to be denied by desperate yet effective defending. Grant, Hoskins and Davis using their pace to great effect to slip in behind the three centre halfs. Luckily Yeovil couldn’t finish and could only direct one shot on target. Leeds attacked on the counter and a long ball to Smith was headed down to Warnock who crossed, the ball was cleared to Mowatt who skipped past several Norwich shirts and toe poked a shot 12 yards out only to be denied by a spectacular save by Hennessey.

The play was end to end with hoofs from both keepers being denied by both defences, Warnock picked up a knock 35 minutes in and he had to be replaced by debutant Marius Zaliukas in the 41st. Jason Pearce slipped into left wing back and Zaliukas slotted into his native central defence. Leeds were lucky not to concede and went into the break at a deadlock. Leeds flew out of the traps quickly in the second half and good work by Murphy and Mowatt led to a pinpoint pass from Austin to McCormack who scored with a drive into the net’s centre from an awkward angle. From my seat in the west stand I thought the shot took a deflection but I am unsure.

The Glovers responded with several fruitless moves which were intercepted and played long to Smith who was beaten in the header by Shane Duffy frequently. Matt Smith was replaced by home debutant Dexter Blackstock 58 minutes in and his introduction was nearly extremely beneficial when his 6 yard squirming shot was deflected wide. Yeovil once again piled forward and they were fruitless, winning numerous corners most of which ended in the penalisation of Yeovil players for a reoccurring foul in the box. 9 minutes after Blackstock’s introduction, Austin won the ball and slotted in McCormack who had an easy finish one on one to double our advantage. As McDermott said, “we ground out the result” after our second goal and Kenny was rarely threatened in our goal. Moore, Madden and Foley couldn’t inflict a wound upon Leeds and we kept a clean sheet, winning 2-0

Birmingham 0-1 Charlton

Inconsistent Birmingham were given the blues by the reds at St. Andrews today. Charlton’s Dale Stephens was the only difference between both sides and his finish into an unguarded net in the 57th made the score one nil, which the game ended.

Blackburn 1-0 Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough’s honeymoon period after their crushing 4-0 defeat of Doncaster was brought to a halt by Jason Lowe. Mark Venus is still the favourite to take charge of the Riverside club with a 50% record in his new position. Gary Bowyer’s Blackburn edged past ‘Boro after a spectacular strike from Defender turned Midfielder Jason Lowe in the 76th minute. The game was pretty even statistically but according to caretaker Venus “Blackburn were more progressive.”

Bournemouth 0-2 Bolton

Bournemouth controlled possession at 64% today but they failed to finish as Freedman’s Bolton were victorious. David Ngog rounded new on-loan signing Lee Camp 39 minutes in to make the score 1-0 and the victory was confirmed by Jermaine Beckford in stoppage time as the former hero at Elland Road shot and it was deflected past a helpless Lee Camp. Eddie Howe thought that the Cherries deserved more from the game but his Boltonian counterpart Dougie Freedman thought that the scoreline flattered Bournemouth.

Doncaster 1-3 Brighton

One Directioners will be confused as their beloved Louis Tomlinson’s beloved Doncaster had to play Brighton AND Hove Albion. Two teams! On a serious note, Paul Dickov’s Doncaster have lost their winning streak and today’s result has left them winless in three matches. Jake Forster-Caskey broke the deadlock eight minutes in with a 35 yard stunner and Doncaster rapper Chris Brown met a cross to equalise in the 75th minute. Leroy Lita powered home in the 85th for Brighton and David Lopez’ looping shot in the last gasp of normal time condemned Doncaster to defeat. Even though they lost, Dickov said that the regardless of the result the performance was competitive.

Millwall 2-2 Burnley

The Lions of London lost a two goal lead to Burnley. A Scott McDonald volley in the 23rd put Millwall in front before a rare Danny Shittu long shot was deflected into the Burnley goal in the 38th minute later. Burnley replied instantly with a Sam Vokes header and in the 55th Shane Lowry turned a Michael Kightly miss into his own net to equalise. Steve Lomas rued bad defending and Sean Dyche talked of the difficulty of playing at the Den.

Nottingham Forest 0-1 Blackpool

There was deforestation at the city ground due to the Tangerines. Billy Davies’ men have entered a poor run of form after a previous defeat at the hands of Yeovil. A solitary Stephen Dobbie Strike in stoppage time separated the sides after Abdoun of Forest was dismissed for a foul on Neal Bishop in the box, Tom Ince missing the resulting penalty. Davies lambasted three incidents in the match which were dealt with wrongly by the referee and Alex Rae Blackpool’a assistant spoke of survival being the aim this year but he said that the league position was a credit to the lads.

QPR 2-1 Derby

Steve McClaren had a sad return to Loftus road as his Derby side were defeated. Jermaine Jenas’ name was the first on the scoresheet when his tap-in in the 11th minute put his side ahead. Former Spur Simon Dawkins equalised with a volley in the 23rd minute. Cult hero Clint Hill headed QPR ahead in the 63rd to seal the victory. Harry Redknapp thought that the game was good but he was upset about an injury to Alejandro Faurlin and his former colleague Steve McClaren called the QPR players the best in the league.

Sheffield Wednesday 5-2 Reading

Sheffield was shocked as Wednesday destroyed Reading. Loanee Matt Fryatt put his side ahead in the 18th with a cool finish after an assist from former Reading player Michail Antonio. Antonio scored in the 25th with an unstoppable curling strike and Reading striker Pavel Pogrebnyak replied 10 minutes later with a bullet header but his captain Sean Morrison made it 3 for Wednesday with a calamitous own goal in the 42nd. Connor Wickham’s powerful volley into the top corner after 57 minutes, Fryatt dinked past McCarthy for his second 62 minutes in. Le Fondre reduced the deficit in stoppage time with a penalty. Dave Jones said it was well deserved whereas Nigel Adkins thought the goals were shocking.

Wigan 2-1 Huddersfield

The Pie eaters were hungry for victory against the terriers and it showed with a 2-1 victory. Leon Barnett broke the deadlock in the 21st with a header and the Terriers replied through Oliver Norwood’s deflected strike just before half time. Nick Powell’s strike in the 49th won it for Wigan. Owen Coyle praised a controlled performance and Mark Robins was pleased with his side’s performance.

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