Deadbat
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It was a huge three points for the Blades as they won at Elland Road for the 2nd successive season and in doing so went back into the automatic promotion places. In this pivotal contest, United were second best in the first half but survived an impressive Leeds performance and came out and improved immeasurably after the break. United kept the ball better and then scored the crucial goal. Skipper Billy Sharp fed Chris Basham, and after he had missed a good chance at the end of the first half, he made no mistake driving into the far corner. After this United defended well and survived late pressure and as the game entered the final minute Sharp was hauled down by Casilla who was given a red card. Pontus Jansson who had been injured and hobbling went into goal for the closing stages. United saw out the additional time to record yet another clean sheet and another win.
United made three changes with as expected Sharp and McGoldrick going up front but there was a bigger surprise with Martin Cranie getting the nod in defence and Chris Basham moving into central midfield alongside Norwood and Fleck. Leeds began with the side that was expected with Alioski remaining at left back in preference to Barry Douglas and Jack Clarke back on the bench.
In front of a packed home crowd, the hosts came out flying and were straight on the attack forcing United back. Egan and Stevens had to be alert to make key blocks. United came out and had their first attack and Norwood hit a long range shot that flew over the bar. Leeds were back on the offensive and they beat the offside trap and Roberts cut inside and pulled it back but the ball was blocked by Egan. More good play saw a chipped ball to Klich and then Hernandez pulled the ball back but Harrison’s cushioned volley went over the bar.
Alioski was in on the overlap but the ball was cleared by O’Connell before Baldock tried to move United up the field but overran the ball and was given a yellow card for a late tackle. Fortunately for United his foot was low down and he barely made contact or it could have been a different colour. Leeds continued to dominate. Bamford fired over and then Jansson was well forward but stopped well by Cranie. A long diagonal cross saw a rare moment of slack marking and Roberts headed wide. Henderson then had to come out and take a high ball under pressure as Egan waited for his keeper to come and collect.
United had not really got going and Leeds had penned them back. The selection had not worked with Basham giving the ball away and not really making much of an impact in terms of breaking things up. Norwood and Fleck then uncharacteristically gave it away also before Leeds won a corner. United really were struggling to stem the tide but did win a free kick after good work from McGoldrick as he was chopped down by Cooper. Norwood’s free kick from a decent position hit the wall though.
Leeds broke away at pace and Ayling played a one two to beat the offside trap again but Alioski blazed well over as Basham’s vital touch took it away from Klich. Cranie then brought down Bamford but the free kick was poor from Leeds. United continued to invite pressure on them and the defensive line was not quite in sync as the offside trap was broken again but the final ball fortunately was poor. United’s ball retention continued to be a real concern but they at least did keep it for a period towards the end of the first half.
Stevens showed quick feet to get in and his cross was saved after it got stuck under his feet before he put a cross over that was turned behind for a corner. From this delivery Basham headed back and it ricocheted about but Egan and Sharp could not quite turn it goalward and it was cleared for another corner on the other side. This kick was flicked over by McGoldrick. At least United were not showing something in terms of an attacking side and they created the best chance of the game when McGoldrick did superbly and ghosted past his man before sending Basham though with a great ball but in an unfamiliar position; Basham tried to first take it round the keeper which he did but his ball across to Sharp was weak and easily cleared. He really should have gone for goal himself.
The half time whistle came soon after. United had been second best for most of the half but had a good spell and then the best opportunity right on the stroke of half time.
The theme of the first half continued early on with Basham giving it away and then Leeds working an opening but the defence kept firm and United started to play with more composure and keep it better. Clever play again by McGoldrick played in Baldock who advanced into the box but his cross was cleared. It was a more even contest now with Fleck and Norwood having more of a say in proceedings with the former getting on the ball and moving United up the pitch. Good work from Stevens and O’Connell fed Sharp in the box who held it up and fed Norwood and his shot was sliced badly wide.
Douglas came on for Harrison and Alioski moved further up the field and Leeds then created a good chance after neat work down the right-hand side. The ball was played from Klich across the box and Roberts effort smacked the post and for the second time in a week, United had a bit of a let off. Sharp was then booked very harshly after an accidental clash of heads with Jansson who had to have treatment. Leeds worked it across the field but their final ball had been poor this half and Cranie and then O’Connell read the danger well. Sharp won a few fouls up the field and the game was certainly more even this half.
As the game entered the final 20 minutes, it was the Blades who got the vital breakthrough. Poor defending initially by Cooper saw Sharp managed to wrestle away with the ball and then he showed superb composure to roll the ball across at the perfect weight for the onrushing BASHAM. This time he made no mistake and steered it right into the corner of the net giving the keeper no chance. He wheeled away and dived into the rain right in front of the ecstatic United fans. A huge goal and moment in the season from a man who has been very much a talisman and embodiment of this Wilder led revival.
United now had to concentrate and Leeds won a corner straight away but Stevens cleared before Cranie again stepped in superbly. Clarke and Dallas came on for Klich and Ayling as Bielsa tried to find some fresh impetus. Jansson was on the ground again, as he did well to just stop another rampaging Basham run. However, in making the tackle he seemed to injure his knee and was down in some pain. He had more treatment and hobbled on but was clearly struggling and Leeds had made all their changes.
The game entered the final 10 minutes and United were continuing to maintain top class focus and concentration and were keeping a nice compact shape. Leeds sent Jansson up front after some deliberation with the coaching staff as whether to bring him off or keep him on. Remarkably he nearly scored soon after a cross came over and the centre back poked wide when well placed. This was Leeds best chance and maybe only real chance outside of the one that hit the post, in the entire second half. Indeed, Dean Henderson had still not had a save to make all game despite Leeds having a number of attacks.
More excellent defensive work saw O’Connell throw his body at a shot and then Stevens calmly cleared. McGoldrick’s last act was to cheaply give the ball away. A rare error in a good performance but fortunately Leeds could not exploit that and United blocked again. Dowell came on and Sharp was left up front on his own.
Cranie read two balls through to shepherd one back to Henderson and make another tackle. The game went into the final minute when a poor mistake by Phillips was intercepted by Sharp who was bearing in on goal. He went around Casilla who clumsily brought him down. The red card was clear and obvious as the United man was about to clearly seal the game. His appeals were remarkable considering the obvious nature of the decision. The goalkeeper will now face a three-match ban at a vital stage of the season. At first it seemed Hernandez may go in goal but they realised the immobile Jansson would be better served playing the 5 minutes of stoppage signalled, between the sticks.
Norwood’s free kick was blocked after the delay to allow the outfield player to don the gloves. United did manage to see out time near the corner with Sharp and Dowell doing well. Leeds then launched it forward and they threatened to get in down the right with Hernandez but man mountain O’Connell headed away. Fleck then cleared it before Basham got a vital tackle in as the game entered the final minute of stoppage time. Leeds won a late corner and Jansson was up at the other end but the ball was cleared and United kept their shape and poise. The game was now into the 97th minutes and with Chris Wilder and his bench screaming for time; the ball went forward again but drifted out of play and after Henderson’s goal kick away; the final whistle came. The United players reaction said it all. Alioski and Henderson clashed on full time with the goalkeeper probably having words after the theatrics of the Leeds player who had tried to win several fouls by ill means. United players embraced all over the field and It was a huge three points. The team went to celebrate with the away fans. Henderson’s fist pumps and Wilder’s pumping of his chest the traditional victory cigars were in evidence again!
United – Phew. Exhausted watching that. Felt like I kicked and headed every ball on Tuesday and it was the same today. We have not been anywhere near our best in terms of possession or football played and first half we were poor today giving it away, not getting the defensive line right and had to hand in there. Leeds had been much better than us and as Wilder admitted, the team selection maybe had backfired as Bash and the other were giving it away too much. Leeds swarmed all over us and played it at pace. They did go quite direct and pick up bits, then play nice stuff in the final third. They had a few decent chances but Henderson did not have a save to make for all the domination. United then had a good spell and could have scored right at the end but Bash panicked a bit. I did go in at half time feeling like we had not quite come to the party and that we had not offered our best performance by any stretch of the imagination. I was annoyed that was had sat back and also that we had not attacked but I guessed as the pundits said, Wilder was worried about Leeds just coming out of the traps and blowing us away as they did to WBA. He wanted to hang in there. I felt we should have let them worry about us more. We had no link between midfield and attack but even more than the Bash v Duffy/Dowell argument the whole team gave it away and also switched off a bit when they went down the sides. We made a few good blocks but they did miss some chances unopposed – the Harrison and Roberts chances were decent. Still I was delighted to go in 0-0 at half time. Some said maybe we let them have it as Leeds are so good when others have the ball and they press and make them turn it over; not sure that was the case. We were just sloppy and did not have intensity on an off the ball. Leeds moved it around too easily and got into the final third with ease. Still they did not score and were right in the game.
We must improve after the break and we did. The 2nd half I felt was even. I actually felt we were better than them in possession and in the final third broke well and had a few half chances. They of course hit the post but not sure they had any real clear chances outside of this. They did have a lot of the ball again but we were better organised and closed down the gaps more. O’Connell and Egan came onto the ball more and we closed the gaps better. Bash started to get his foot in more and we played at a higher tempo. I still would have been delighted with a draw so when we went away and scored, I was delighted. The thing now was if we could hang on. I expected the Alamo as Leeds have scored so many late goal and was concerned if they got one…they may get two but we kept ticking off 5-minute chunks and before you know it the game was into the final 5 minutes. The stoppages helped us although Jansson and Alioski spent a lot of time on the floor. The former was struggling and meant they almost had 10 for the final 10 minutes. Still they did keep coming at us and I was very nervous despite our great defence – funny how you still think of the Villa game – even though we have been faultless since. Typical United fan pessimism! We then broke away and the red card came. Of course, I would have loved Sharp to score but the outcome with the red card and the experienced keeper going off actually now we won, could help us even more. The young lad Peacock Farrell was a bit ropey at times earlier in the season and now with three games to come including Millwall who chuck everything in the box; it might not be easy for Leeds to defend.
In the end I felt the game was quite similar to the one at the Lane. A game that we were better in and had the better of the play but the away side won it with a bit of a smash and grab goal. So, it is probably even Stevens in that regard.
United were nowhere near their best but as Wilder alluded to; Leeds did this at our place and we have had many games over the last two seasons in this league where the other team were not full value for the win but somehow did beat us. Nice that we have had a few games where we have just scrapped and battled and shown heart. It had not been about our great football and style the last two games but desire, work ethic and organisation. I thought the defence were a bit off first half but the second half they were excellent and to a man did their job superbly. Cranie was superb and O’Connell and Egan blocked and headed everything. I thought Bash improved and then after we scored, we had something to hang onto. Really proud of them. It was a tough test and after subpar first half they came through it and won another game. There will be lots of twists and turns but we have gone to WBA and Leeds and won. These are remarkable results and inspired performances. Some colossal efforts from the players. The will to win and desire is something to be behold. They care massively and you cannot help be inspired by them. We have a real chance.
There are 8 games to play and a few tough away trips to come and a few tough home games but if we can keep ticking them off; you never know. I think the last three are against teams who will have nothing to play for; so, if we can hang onto second before them, then we have a great chance. Norwich look gone and just keep on winning but Leeds have shown they cannot hold their nerve maybe when they play the big guns – lost to us and Norwich. The trio of games are big in the next week – with both us and Leeds going to Brum and Preston and both have a home game before that – be interesting to see the table after those three games. United have to just keep on plugging away. We will go close I am sure. We need to pack the Lane for the last four home games and give the team the support they deserve.
United made three changes with as expected Sharp and McGoldrick going up front but there was a bigger surprise with Martin Cranie getting the nod in defence and Chris Basham moving into central midfield alongside Norwood and Fleck. Leeds began with the side that was expected with Alioski remaining at left back in preference to Barry Douglas and Jack Clarke back on the bench.
In front of a packed home crowd, the hosts came out flying and were straight on the attack forcing United back. Egan and Stevens had to be alert to make key blocks. United came out and had their first attack and Norwood hit a long range shot that flew over the bar. Leeds were back on the offensive and they beat the offside trap and Roberts cut inside and pulled it back but the ball was blocked by Egan. More good play saw a chipped ball to Klich and then Hernandez pulled the ball back but Harrison’s cushioned volley went over the bar.
Alioski was in on the overlap but the ball was cleared by O’Connell before Baldock tried to move United up the field but overran the ball and was given a yellow card for a late tackle. Fortunately for United his foot was low down and he barely made contact or it could have been a different colour. Leeds continued to dominate. Bamford fired over and then Jansson was well forward but stopped well by Cranie. A long diagonal cross saw a rare moment of slack marking and Roberts headed wide. Henderson then had to come out and take a high ball under pressure as Egan waited for his keeper to come and collect.
United had not really got going and Leeds had penned them back. The selection had not worked with Basham giving the ball away and not really making much of an impact in terms of breaking things up. Norwood and Fleck then uncharacteristically gave it away also before Leeds won a corner. United really were struggling to stem the tide but did win a free kick after good work from McGoldrick as he was chopped down by Cooper. Norwood’s free kick from a decent position hit the wall though.
Leeds broke away at pace and Ayling played a one two to beat the offside trap again but Alioski blazed well over as Basham’s vital touch took it away from Klich. Cranie then brought down Bamford but the free kick was poor from Leeds. United continued to invite pressure on them and the defensive line was not quite in sync as the offside trap was broken again but the final ball fortunately was poor. United’s ball retention continued to be a real concern but they at least did keep it for a period towards the end of the first half.
Stevens showed quick feet to get in and his cross was saved after it got stuck under his feet before he put a cross over that was turned behind for a corner. From this delivery Basham headed back and it ricocheted about but Egan and Sharp could not quite turn it goalward and it was cleared for another corner on the other side. This kick was flicked over by McGoldrick. At least United were not showing something in terms of an attacking side and they created the best chance of the game when McGoldrick did superbly and ghosted past his man before sending Basham though with a great ball but in an unfamiliar position; Basham tried to first take it round the keeper which he did but his ball across to Sharp was weak and easily cleared. He really should have gone for goal himself.
The half time whistle came soon after. United had been second best for most of the half but had a good spell and then the best opportunity right on the stroke of half time.
The theme of the first half continued early on with Basham giving it away and then Leeds working an opening but the defence kept firm and United started to play with more composure and keep it better. Clever play again by McGoldrick played in Baldock who advanced into the box but his cross was cleared. It was a more even contest now with Fleck and Norwood having more of a say in proceedings with the former getting on the ball and moving United up the pitch. Good work from Stevens and O’Connell fed Sharp in the box who held it up and fed Norwood and his shot was sliced badly wide.
Douglas came on for Harrison and Alioski moved further up the field and Leeds then created a good chance after neat work down the right-hand side. The ball was played from Klich across the box and Roberts effort smacked the post and for the second time in a week, United had a bit of a let off. Sharp was then booked very harshly after an accidental clash of heads with Jansson who had to have treatment. Leeds worked it across the field but their final ball had been poor this half and Cranie and then O’Connell read the danger well. Sharp won a few fouls up the field and the game was certainly more even this half.
As the game entered the final 20 minutes, it was the Blades who got the vital breakthrough. Poor defending initially by Cooper saw Sharp managed to wrestle away with the ball and then he showed superb composure to roll the ball across at the perfect weight for the onrushing BASHAM. This time he made no mistake and steered it right into the corner of the net giving the keeper no chance. He wheeled away and dived into the rain right in front of the ecstatic United fans. A huge goal and moment in the season from a man who has been very much a talisman and embodiment of this Wilder led revival.
United now had to concentrate and Leeds won a corner straight away but Stevens cleared before Cranie again stepped in superbly. Clarke and Dallas came on for Klich and Ayling as Bielsa tried to find some fresh impetus. Jansson was on the ground again, as he did well to just stop another rampaging Basham run. However, in making the tackle he seemed to injure his knee and was down in some pain. He had more treatment and hobbled on but was clearly struggling and Leeds had made all their changes.
The game entered the final 10 minutes and United were continuing to maintain top class focus and concentration and were keeping a nice compact shape. Leeds sent Jansson up front after some deliberation with the coaching staff as whether to bring him off or keep him on. Remarkably he nearly scored soon after a cross came over and the centre back poked wide when well placed. This was Leeds best chance and maybe only real chance outside of the one that hit the post, in the entire second half. Indeed, Dean Henderson had still not had a save to make all game despite Leeds having a number of attacks.
More excellent defensive work saw O’Connell throw his body at a shot and then Stevens calmly cleared. McGoldrick’s last act was to cheaply give the ball away. A rare error in a good performance but fortunately Leeds could not exploit that and United blocked again. Dowell came on and Sharp was left up front on his own.
Cranie read two balls through to shepherd one back to Henderson and make another tackle. The game went into the final minute when a poor mistake by Phillips was intercepted by Sharp who was bearing in on goal. He went around Casilla who clumsily brought him down. The red card was clear and obvious as the United man was about to clearly seal the game. His appeals were remarkable considering the obvious nature of the decision. The goalkeeper will now face a three-match ban at a vital stage of the season. At first it seemed Hernandez may go in goal but they realised the immobile Jansson would be better served playing the 5 minutes of stoppage signalled, between the sticks.
Norwood’s free kick was blocked after the delay to allow the outfield player to don the gloves. United did manage to see out time near the corner with Sharp and Dowell doing well. Leeds then launched it forward and they threatened to get in down the right with Hernandez but man mountain O’Connell headed away. Fleck then cleared it before Basham got a vital tackle in as the game entered the final minute of stoppage time. Leeds won a late corner and Jansson was up at the other end but the ball was cleared and United kept their shape and poise. The game was now into the 97th minutes and with Chris Wilder and his bench screaming for time; the ball went forward again but drifted out of play and after Henderson’s goal kick away; the final whistle came. The United players reaction said it all. Alioski and Henderson clashed on full time with the goalkeeper probably having words after the theatrics of the Leeds player who had tried to win several fouls by ill means. United players embraced all over the field and It was a huge three points. The team went to celebrate with the away fans. Henderson’s fist pumps and Wilder’s pumping of his chest the traditional victory cigars were in evidence again!
United – Phew. Exhausted watching that. Felt like I kicked and headed every ball on Tuesday and it was the same today. We have not been anywhere near our best in terms of possession or football played and first half we were poor today giving it away, not getting the defensive line right and had to hand in there. Leeds had been much better than us and as Wilder admitted, the team selection maybe had backfired as Bash and the other were giving it away too much. Leeds swarmed all over us and played it at pace. They did go quite direct and pick up bits, then play nice stuff in the final third. They had a few decent chances but Henderson did not have a save to make for all the domination. United then had a good spell and could have scored right at the end but Bash panicked a bit. I did go in at half time feeling like we had not quite come to the party and that we had not offered our best performance by any stretch of the imagination. I was annoyed that was had sat back and also that we had not attacked but I guessed as the pundits said, Wilder was worried about Leeds just coming out of the traps and blowing us away as they did to WBA. He wanted to hang in there. I felt we should have let them worry about us more. We had no link between midfield and attack but even more than the Bash v Duffy/Dowell argument the whole team gave it away and also switched off a bit when they went down the sides. We made a few good blocks but they did miss some chances unopposed – the Harrison and Roberts chances were decent. Still I was delighted to go in 0-0 at half time. Some said maybe we let them have it as Leeds are so good when others have the ball and they press and make them turn it over; not sure that was the case. We were just sloppy and did not have intensity on an off the ball. Leeds moved it around too easily and got into the final third with ease. Still they did not score and were right in the game.
We must improve after the break and we did. The 2nd half I felt was even. I actually felt we were better than them in possession and in the final third broke well and had a few half chances. They of course hit the post but not sure they had any real clear chances outside of this. They did have a lot of the ball again but we were better organised and closed down the gaps more. O’Connell and Egan came onto the ball more and we closed the gaps better. Bash started to get his foot in more and we played at a higher tempo. I still would have been delighted with a draw so when we went away and scored, I was delighted. The thing now was if we could hang on. I expected the Alamo as Leeds have scored so many late goal and was concerned if they got one…they may get two but we kept ticking off 5-minute chunks and before you know it the game was into the final 5 minutes. The stoppages helped us although Jansson and Alioski spent a lot of time on the floor. The former was struggling and meant they almost had 10 for the final 10 minutes. Still they did keep coming at us and I was very nervous despite our great defence – funny how you still think of the Villa game – even though we have been faultless since. Typical United fan pessimism! We then broke away and the red card came. Of course, I would have loved Sharp to score but the outcome with the red card and the experienced keeper going off actually now we won, could help us even more. The young lad Peacock Farrell was a bit ropey at times earlier in the season and now with three games to come including Millwall who chuck everything in the box; it might not be easy for Leeds to defend.
In the end I felt the game was quite similar to the one at the Lane. A game that we were better in and had the better of the play but the away side won it with a bit of a smash and grab goal. So, it is probably even Stevens in that regard.
United were nowhere near their best but as Wilder alluded to; Leeds did this at our place and we have had many games over the last two seasons in this league where the other team were not full value for the win but somehow did beat us. Nice that we have had a few games where we have just scrapped and battled and shown heart. It had not been about our great football and style the last two games but desire, work ethic and organisation. I thought the defence were a bit off first half but the second half they were excellent and to a man did their job superbly. Cranie was superb and O’Connell and Egan blocked and headed everything. I thought Bash improved and then after we scored, we had something to hang onto. Really proud of them. It was a tough test and after subpar first half they came through it and won another game. There will be lots of twists and turns but we have gone to WBA and Leeds and won. These are remarkable results and inspired performances. Some colossal efforts from the players. The will to win and desire is something to be behold. They care massively and you cannot help be inspired by them. We have a real chance.
There are 8 games to play and a few tough away trips to come and a few tough home games but if we can keep ticking them off; you never know. I think the last three are against teams who will have nothing to play for; so, if we can hang onto second before them, then we have a great chance. Norwich look gone and just keep on winning but Leeds have shown they cannot hold their nerve maybe when they play the big guns – lost to us and Norwich. The trio of games are big in the next week – with both us and Leeds going to Brum and Preston and both have a home game before that – be interesting to see the table after those three games. United have to just keep on plugging away. We will go close I am sure. We need to pack the Lane for the last four home games and give the team the support they deserve.
