First team

Battling Leeds hold firm for massive away victory

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Leeds headed into yesterday’s game in brilliant form against league leaders Middlesbrough. A real optimism and buzz was about amongst the fans yesterday before kick off and the confidence that the players are feeling is starting to spill into the stands.

Leeds began the game perfectly when the brilliant Lewis Cook took advantage of poor distribution from Middlesborough ‘keeper Mejias Osorio to pick the ball up and pull the ball back for Alex Mowatt to drive the ball into the bottom corner.

Alex Mowatt

After taking the lead early on, Middlesbrough began to dominate the game and every time they managed to create a good chance they were met by an inform Marco Silvestri who was in inspired form to deny everything they could throw up. Middlesbrough hadn’t lost in the league since 20th December and were unbeaten at home since August. Kike, Vossena and Clayton had chances to level the game and every time they came, they were again thwarted by Silvestri.

Silvestri k

Leeds did have a chance to go 2-0 up just before the half as Sol Bamba found space from a corner but couldn’t convert a free header. After the half Scott Wootton struck the crossbar from another header from a set piece. Leeds were much more in the game during the second half and created chances. As impressive as Silvestri was then we also need to praise Sol Bamba who was extremely impressive at centre back. Sol was in the right place at right time on many occasions to put another impressive performance into his Leeds United career, the signing of him in the summer is becoming a no brainer and something we need to get done.

United did create another chance from an incisive breakaway that saw Rudy Austin’s shot saved. Boro went down to 10 men when a head injury was sustained by Vossen which saw 9 minutes added on but Boro couldn’t break through as the impressive Leeds stood resilient to take 3 points back to Elland Road. Head coach Neil Redfearn went on to say “Our recent run is very satisfying. But we have got to make sure we don’t get carried away with ourselves.
“We are a young side and we have been through a lot of adversity. We are going to get better and better.
“Reaching the play-offs is a tall ask but while there are points to play for there is no reason not to aim as high as you can.”

Leeds head into the Brighton game on Tuesday in excellent form and confidence flowing through the fans and players. Onward and upwards.

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