United 2 Leeds 1 - report

[Deadbat_DB]

The Blades got back to winning ways and completed a derby double over Leeds United in the lunchtime game at wet and windy Bramall Lane. Billy Sharp was the hero with a brace; repeating his 2nd minute goal from October at Elland Road and then hitting a second half penalty winner after Pierre Michel Lasogga had levelled soon after the break. The Blades ensured Leeds have now gone 25 years since winning at the Lane.

United were dominant for large stages in the first half and should have been out of sight with Sharp’s superb volley being all they had to show for a controlled performance. However, a great save from Blackman from a Jansson header was an important moment but Leeds boosted by this opportunity drew level with a powerful headed effort from Lasogga. The game was relatively even after this but then a rash challenge by Eunan O’Kane on John Fleck gave Sharp the chance to score from the spot. There were chances at either end after this but United held on for a crucial three points to keep them in the playoff mix.

Manager Wilder made changes with some enforced and some chosen. Jamal Blackman was passed fit and started in place of the suspended Simon Moore whilst in came Mark Duffy and Billy Sharp for Ricky Holmes and James Wilson. Despite playing a cameo in the reserve derby in the week, it was seen as too soon for David Brooks. A lot of the pre-match buzz of course surrounded Leeds appointment of Paul Heckingbottom who moved from nearby Barnsley. There was a flash of lights as he came down the tunnel and he made his way to the dugout. Leeds had some key players such as Saiz, Cooper and Berardi suspended and a few other injured and had not won for 7 games. Both teams knew a defeat would make things very difficult in their attempts to make the end of season playoffs.

The game began with United on the front foot and within 80 seconds they were in front! Duffy did well down the right and his nimble feet worked an opening down the right getting away from Roofe too easily. He pulled it back and O’Kane’s header lacked power and dropped for SHARP but he had a lot to do. He hit a thumping volley that flashed past Wiedwald into the roof of the net. Cue delirium around most of Bramall Lane as the skipper sprinted away to celebrate with his teammates not far behind. The first touch the Leeds keeper had was picking the ball out of the net! United continued on the front foot with O’Connell linking well with Duffy and Fleck before Sharp nearly got in again with a header from a whipped Evans free kick that was just too high and from point blank range it went just over. If he had been an inch or two taller or it had fell to Clarke it would have been 2-0. Forshaw was booked for a wild lunge on O’Connell before Sharp suffered the same fate for a late challenge on Pennington.

There was no let up in a pulsating start as Duffy continued to pull the strings and United firmly on the front foot. Basham then was cynically brought down by Phillips who was the next to be carded before Leeds had their first effort on 25 minutes but Lasogga shot wide from distance. Stevens put over a driven cross that was one of his better recent efforts that just failed to be finished off and was finally cleared. After taking a knock Roofe went off to be replaced by Hernandez.

Duffy then had a curled effort wide and then was involved by jinking one way and then the next before letting Sharp take over and the low cross somehow missed Clarke’s boot and just went past the far post. Duffy then had a low daisy cutter saved as he again took up the attack for the home team. It had been mostly one-way traffic with an acrobatic Alioski overheard kick drawing sarcastic cheers from the Kop before United went back on the attack again.

A committed challenge from two players saw Alioski clutching the turf and Evans was booked. Replays showed it was a poor challenge but to be fair both players had their feet on the floor but the United players was rightly given a caution for catching the Leeds man. The same player was sprinting back on the field moments after Leeds had nearly levelled from the resulting free kick. Hernandez took it and Stearman got blocked off and as a result lost his man Jansson who got in and headed powerfully goalward. Blackman reacted brilliantly to make a great point blank save and his firm hand pushed it away from goal. The game was now in four minutes of stoppage time but little happened after this crucial moment.

The second half began with Leeds coming out determined and as quick as it took the home side to score in the first half, the visitors repeated the feat in the second half. O’Connell who had played himself out of some tricky situations first half with some nifty skill; took one touch too many and Hernandez robbed him. The Leeds man came inside and sent over a deep cross and with O’Connell not back to mark his designated man LASOGGA peeled onto Fleck and headed down and past Blackman to draw Leeds level. It was a great header and the powerful forward had been a handful all game to be fair.

Leeds were now in the ascendancy and were roared on by the visiting fans. Hernandez was pulling the strings for Leeds like Duffy had for United in the first half. He had a shot wide and Pennington then had another blocked as United were being forced back. They had to make a series of interceptions with Basham and then Fleck making good tackles as Leeds now sensed a chance to go on and possibly win it.

United finally got back into the game and started to keep the ball better and soon had a few chances of their own. Baldock cross was inches away from Sharp and Pennington did well to flick his header clear and then Baldock nearly got in after Clarke held it up in the box. Duffy also then came inside and hit a rising drive that just cleared the bar. It seemed now that either side could win but United had awoke from their slumber and started to press Leeds back.

They won a free kick down the inside right channel and after a series of balls had been headed clear from such deadball situations, United tried something different. Duffy played the ball down the line for Fleck and he raced onto it and seemed to get a slight touch as O’Kane challenged him. The midfielder seemed to tumble quite theatrically but as replays proved there was contact and the speed he was racing through meant it was a dangerous challenge and always risky. Referee Andy Madley took his time but pointed to the spot.

SHARP took it and went down the right and although the ball was not right in the corner, it was low and hard and beat Wiedwald relatively comfortably despite him going the right way. Back in the lead United now had something to hold and seemed to up their efforts;

Sacko and Ekuban came on for Phillips and Alioski for Leeds and then Leonard replaced Duffy for the Blades as the game entered the final 15 minutes. The home team had a good chance when Stevens played in Clarke and he blazed over when well placed. Half-hearted appeals for a penalty at the other end came when the ball inadvertently brushed Stevens hand but he had his hand down and it was played into him from such close range it would have been a very harsh award and not many Leeds players protested. Stearman then made a good block before Fleck also made a crunching tackle. Hernandez then came inside and whipped a shot over after coming inside Basham who for was beaten for the first time in the game.

Sharp came off for Holmes and soon after as the game entered four additional minutes; Clarke had a good appeal for another penalty as Pennington clearly got nothing on the ball and clumsily upended the forward but the referee oddly gave a corner when there was no touch from the Leeds man. De Bock had a shot that went wide although the referee adjudged there to have been a deflection and awarded a corner that United cleared. At the other end, as Leeds tried to break back into the United half, Fleck got his money’s worth by fouling two Leeds men and was booked when the game stopped and in doing so picked up a 2-game suspension. Leeds pumped a number of crosses into the box but United stood firm but Holmes and Basham twice gifted possession away when looking to break and kill the game. Finally, after they did keep the ball for a period; the final whistle went and United could celebrate a league double over their Yorkshire rivals.

[Deadbat_DB]

United – We did enough to win. I would say overall, we have maybe been better in games against Villa and Bristol City for instance but not got the goals when we have been on top. We then got done by sucker punches. Today we got an early goal and should have had more. Leeds looked on the rack but we kind of let them off the hook. They then came back and had a good chance just before half time and then scored after sloppy work. After this they looked good and we looked a bit all over the place but slowly got back into it and the game was more even and we had more of the ball again. I felt we bossed much of the first half; they had a spell either side of the half and then the last 20-25 minutes was quite even. Overall, despite what the stats say in terms of them having more of the ball and efforts; I feel the better side won and it was a fair score.

I felt first half for long spells we were really good and like many other games this season at home got on the front foot and were able to dictate. It was wave after wave of attack at times and I felt with a bit more clinical play and a few more balls dropping to us we could have been 3-0 up by the half hour. We had some nice moves and Duffy was running the game. Sharp scored a beauty and then missed narrowly with a header. We had a few balls whizz across the box and played some really good stuff, playing it out from the back. Sharp was really busy and looked determined to make an impact. Most of the other players were on the front foot and Leeds looked unable to stem the side. We moved it quicker and got it into the right areas to cause problems and the wing backs and advanced centre backs were doing what they had done in the early stages of the season. Leeds had a few long-range efforts and the big lad was a handful up front. The winger Alioski was diving constantly and looked woeful and kept kicking it out but they played a few decent spells after the first 25 minutes and started to get in the game. It became more even and then I was concerned with the Evans tackle. Some refs may have sent him off but I think it was right as his boot was low and both players went for the ball and the Leeds man just nicked it before ours. Compare that to the Phillips tackle in the game at Elland Road and there is no comparison. That was wild, late and high and the ball had long gone.

However, we switched off twice on crosses and they scored on the second and then we had to hang in a bit. I felt we had so many set plays and they just kept heading them away so it was nice for us to try something different. As with the Evans tackle, it is the sort of decision that has not been going for us this season, so nice the ref gave a penalty and having seen it back it was. Indeed, the Clarke one was a penalty too. Both were more a pen than the half-hearted handball appeal for them.

Leeds – Odd performance. First 20 minutes they looked hopeless and we could have put the game away. They could not get close to Duffy and Sharp and we knocked it about. They looked all over the place the back and just had speculative efforts at the other end. Gradually they started to knock it about and played some good stuff. The lad Hernandez made a difference and his set plays and their physicality on the end of them always meant they may get something. The goal was quite basic but well executed although we gave it away. They had a good spell after this and continued to play some decent stuff but other than a Hernandez shot wide cannot recall too many clear chances for all their improved play. We had a few half chances too and then the penalty which was very rash and no need for him to put his body/foot across. I think he knew it despite his appeal. After this they had a go and a few more long-range efforts wide but overall cannot say they did enough to take anything. The reaction of the Leeds fans at the end saw that it was probably a better performance than it has been as they seemed strangely quite happy despite an eighth game without a win and the season now probably petering out in terms of any playoff push. They at least had a go second half and some recent Leeds games they have been really poor. If United had got the second goal then they might have caved in but stayed in it and the game could have gone either way. They had some decent players but some hopeless players. It was a real mixed bag (see below). They also seemed to struggle to keep the ball in play for long spells today. Is their pitch wider? They did kick it out a hell of a lot.

They have new owners now but continue to chop and change and over the years have had so many managers seemingly alternating from unknown foreign managers to British managers who are known to motivate and get teams playing high tempo (Steve Evans and Gary Monk recent examples) Heckingbottom was an odd one as he had a decent reputation at Barnsley and always speaks well when I have listened to him and has clearly done a really good job overall there. However, his stock was not at highest and his Barnsley team were on an awful run. He will have probably made a huge difference to his annual salary of course and Leeds are still a massive club so cannot totally blame him for going but you worry if he has a poor time; how long he will last judging by what happens to the men in the helm (10 managers in 5 years). They have some decent players but have some holes in the team and lack a consistent goalscorer up top.

Also, ill-discipline and suspensions have not helped. Saiz a key man being out so long (his own fault for a despicable offence of spitting at a player) and others reckless challenges. Like us their high energy start and pressing style football has not been maintained and they have run out of gas a bit and the previous manager saw the consequences. Not sure now they can get the playoffs and will be more about the new manager shaping his style and players in readiness for next season. They, like us, probably have to spend a fair bit of money to get close to the top two even though both teams may flirt with the playoffs. As decent as the game was today, the quality was mixed at times and both teams still are a bit off being consistent enough to properly contend for automatic promotion.

Opposition Man of the Match: They had some good players today. The front man Lasogga was useless in the return fixture and have seen him a few times and he has looked immobile, slow and a bit of a lump. Today he played well. He was a handful, held it up, won headers and chased things. He really tried. Not sure how much ability he has but for sheer perspiration he played well. I also thought Jansson after a rocky start played well and made some key blocks. He reads the game well and was able to win his battle with Clarke too easily. The sub Hernandez was good on the ball and put some good crosses in and like Duffy could jink and find a yard. His reactions to not getting fouls or his own way was embarrassing though. He threw the ball down, mouthed at the ref, smashed the turf and generally acted like a petulant kid when a Blades player dared to brush him off the ball. How he escaped a booking I do not know as he berated the linesman at one point! Shame as a decent player who had a good pedigree in Spain and at Swansea. Forshaw was tidy with some neat flicks and touches and Phillips can drive forward with the ball too.


Opposition Weak link: I felt O’Kane did his best for us with the header to Sharp and then the penalty! Pennington made one great header but looked at full stretch and I felt Jansson had to cover for him a lot. Dallas was struggling in an unfamiliar full back role. However, the lad Alioski was appalling. He struggled to keep it on the field, kept miskicking it or feigning injury and was a right mardy arse. How he lasted as long as he did before he got hooked I do not know! Thought Roofe looked disinterested and even though got injured Baldock was dominating him and sending him backwards constantly. The keeper also seemed rooted to his line for a big lad and we should have made this pay with a few balls going across first half and just being missed. The other two subs made minimal impact when they came on.

[Deadbat_DB]

Blackman 7.5/10 – Not a lot to do as most shot went wide or over but he made a superb save and took most high balls and punched one he had to away. He helped the defence come out further even when under pressure second half as they know he can come and take high balls. He looks so imposing. I prefer him to Moore and feel we look a better team with him in there. That may get some arguments but just my opinion and I would keep him unless he plays badly of course! Not much chance on the header than bounced down and right inside the post.

Baldock 7.5/10 – Another very good performance where he got up and down all game. Defended well and got some good interceptions and blocks but bounded forward and was a constant threat down that side. He shows his skill and athleticism and was able to link well with Basham and others down that side. A player that is getting better and better. I should not say this but he is the sort of players top flight teams may look at as he has that pace and mobility and can do a bit of everything. Been a great signing.

Stevens 7/10 – He was better today I felt. He started game more powerfully in terms of coming onto the ball and won a few 50/50 tackles with the winger who was always trying a trick or looking to feign…sorry force a foul. A few times he switched off but he was better going forward too and played one cracking low cross and then played in Clarke second half. He did not do too much wrong defensively and it was much more like the standards of earlier in the season.

Basham 7.5/10 – Played really well today and surprised he was not considered in the Man of the Match voting. First half he was steady-ish and won a few blocks and carried it forward when he could. He kept it simple and was able to help cover when Baldock went forward and showed some nice skills to link with others. He won every loose ball he went for (apart from one when Hernandez nearly scored 2nd half!) and got forward. Put one great cross in deep from the touchline first half and then somehow ended up on the left wing second half to win a corner. A really energetic performance but he won his tackles and blocks and was solid. Like Stevens much improved; after a poor-ish run by his standards.

O’Connell 6/10 – I thought first half he was good. He was neat and tidy in his defending and possession play and 3 or 4 times got us out of tight situations with nimble play and sensible football. He got forward when he could and won his headers. Second half he went to pieces a bit as he gave the ball away on the goal (I had said I love how he and others try and play it out despite fans calling us to get rid of it and then he does that and makes me look a tit!) and then mis cleared when Hernandez shot narrowly wide when it was 1-1. He started lumping it a bit aimlessly and lost his composure. Got back into the game and made a few key blocks near the end.

Stearman 6.5/10 – Like O’Connell he made some good blocks and used it well but also put us in the mire with some balls across defence or into midfield that put others under pressure and for him and how well he has played recently I felt not quite as good as he has been. The big lad caused both centre backs real problems and he held it up well and physically caused some real problems. Stearman switched off just before half time on the chance when a Leeds man blocked him but he did not get recover and then when they scored he needed to move across and sense O’Connell was out of the play. He did make one great stretch tackle near the end.

Fleck 7/10 – Decent. Some great things with the ball where he would carry it and take men or play others through but then at times sloppy and tried to overplay. He is another that is great to watch and for someone who is quite stocky glides with the ball. Won the penalty with his run off the ball and just got to it first. Had a good battle with the Leeds players and it was really competitive in there and both sides played some good stuff. Odd with the booking as he seemed to almost take it on purpose (take being out of Leicester but now out for a league game too? The cut off is not till March though so chances of him going that long before not getting booked I suppose was slim so maybe took the cup game as one?

Evans 6.5/10 – He looks better than Lundstram and Leonard (small sample size granted) and has more mobility, pace and aggression that those two. He also can take a fairly decent set play although today only took one good one and some poor ones. He is a neat and tidy player who gets his foot in, uses it quite well and links defence and attack or Duffy as was the case today! First half did well and came onto the ball as we dominated but second half he was anonymous when Leeds got control of midfield and I wanted him to assert himself more. Did not see as much of the ball and I felt we relied on Fleck to make things happen. Some refs may have sent him off as I have said so he has to be careful although he had to go for it and I think it was correct for it to be a yellow.

Duffy 7.5/10 –First 25 minutes he dictated the game. Made the first goal, nearly made a second for Sharp and then was involved in two or three other good chances, had two efforts at goal and the ball was glued to his feet. He was a joy to watch and ran things. Leeds really struggled to pick him up as he drifted around the pitch. After they got back into the game, he was less influential and a bit wasteful with a few runs and balls and became sloppy. Still he still looked a threat as evidenced by shot over the bar. Some near me implored Wilder to take him off long before we did but I always thought he could still make something happen and we were not creating as much second half (he did eventually after we had scored). Does fade in games but to me he has to start most games as he is such a threat as he takes two or three players or draws space. A lovely footballer who has been a big part of the last 2 seasons and how we play.

Sharp 8/10 – Excellent today and deservedly man of the match just pipping Duffy, Basham and Baldock. He ran his socks off. It was not just about his goals; a superb volley and a cool penalty but his work ethic and play on the ball. He held it up, was strong, used it well and ran the lines. He linked well with others, came off the front and then was dangerous running with it. He looked a different player to the leggy, tired and weak Sharp over the winter months. He looked strong, fresh and determined and was a handful. Thought he did the work of two forward; which was a good job considering Clarke’s performance. Will keep his place and needs to keep to these standard or as close to these most weeks. Ironic I recall some Wednesday fans saying he would not close to 10 goals and here we are in early February and he has hit that target. I have been guilty of writing him off and he proved me wrong once again. He scores goal and his drive and determination to lead the club was evident today. Great to see him back in the groove.

[Deadbat_DB]

Clarke 5.5/10 – Thought he was pretty poor again. Sure, some will say he had little service or that he was a touch unlucky but his and Sharp’s performance was chalk and cheese. He started the game ok and along with others; he was hungry and won a few loose balls and ran off the midfielders and maybe should have scored from Sharp’s cross. However, too often he was wrestling with his centre back or was offside instead of getting hold of the ball and holding it up. He looked a bit slow second half and the running and energy he has showed for much of the season is missing. Would rest him now maybe for a few weeks – like we have with Sharp. He has been great for us but is off form and is not even looking like scoring really at the moment. Felt Jansson handled him too easily today. I recall in the reverse he ragged Leeds defenders about and was a massive threat but today the ball never stuck with him at all and he did not win headers, flicks or even offer much of a nuisance factor.

Subs:

Leonard – Lost one key header early on that led to a chance but then won a tackle and got a whack. Game was a bit scrappy after we scored which probably suited us and he was just trying to track runners and protect. Not sure he has quite settled in and maybe a bit part player for a period.

Lundstram – Has lost his place and Evans looks an improvement so has to stake a claim when he plays – will play next week I expect at Leicester. Today he came on for Evans who had tired and was just trying to sit and protect, much like Evans.

Holmes – Came on and had a chance to help us keep the ball but tossed it away when we had a 3 on 2 break and stupidly gave them another chance and then at the end dithered again. Hard when you come on with a few minutes to go. Unfortunate to lose his place as one of our better players last week but Duffy’s recall was vindicated.


Manager: Wilder 8/10 – Brave move to bring back Duffy and Sharp. He has brought in new players and Holmes did ok last week and he may have been tempted to start him but he brought the old guard back. Blackman came back in by default of course and also played well. It is weird as we have been as good if not better in some home games and even a few away and won then compared today where it was a mixed performance against a Leeds side there for the taking first half but once again we were not ruthless enough. He will be pleased to get a win and get some players back in form. A lot including me called for Stevens and Basham to be dropped but both played well today so kudos to Wilder for sticking with them. He shows even though he signed new players he is not afraid to take them out and the likes of Wilson and Leonard need to do more when they do get minutes if they want to play. That is how it should be no matter who the player is, when he came and who signed him. That is what I do like about Wilder so much. We kept playing football most of the game and again did not just lump it. It made for a decent game and today we edged it and maybe the fortune smiled on us a bit in the sense it was a close game where a few decisions/moments went for us; when in many other games they have not at the Lane.

Officials – Andy Madley. A few of my mates thought he was poor but I maintained he had a good game. He was not helped by two awful assistants. He had to give decisions for them when they were closer to the ball/incidents and overruled the one on the John Street side three times for awful decisions. The ref got them all right fortunately (two for Leeds by the way to show I am being fair). The bookings were all right. The first one was poor by the Leeds lad but then he had to book Sharp. Many felt this was not as bad but I have watched back and was equally rash. Then the cynical pull back on Bash. He missed Baldock getting pulled back or should I say the assistant did who was right next to it! The big calls went for us but then not sure that Evans was high or two footed. He caught him and it was a tough tackle but equally their man went into him. It was just he nicked the ball instantly at that moment. I think a red would have been harsh considering his foot (one foot not two) was on the ground. The Leeds man made a meal of it and was back up and running despite this so-called gash the Leeds manager spoke of post-game. The penalty I have watched back several times and it is more a penalty than not. Fleck is going at speed and as soon as the lad puts his foot in and does then Fleck is going to go to floor. I do not think he dives; he sorts of hurdles him but he catches him. It is slight but at pace you always risk it and it was a silly challenge. I think the reaction from the Leeds players knew they were in trouble as they all looked at the ref much as the Liverpool players did at Anfield last week for the late penalty. Even O’Kane was not exactly convincing in his appeals and he sort of looked as angry at himself. You just do not go in when a player is running at speed like that. Yes, maybe these two decisions went for us but you could argue a more clear-cut penalty Clarke’s was waved away. That looked very clumsy and certainly did not make the ball. I think if he had not given the first he may have given that one. The handball was the least clear cut of the lot for Leeds. May seem like I am biased saying that but the ball hit him from a few yards away and he had his hand by his side. That would have been a ridiculous decision.

The lad Hernandez was lucky not to be carded for some childish reactions near the end but overall the ref did well. Both teams were quite dirty and it was full blooded. He did well to keep all players on the field, kept it flowing when he could and as I say despite some saying they felt he was poor; I disagreed. I might be on my own but then I would be like the ref as he had no help at all and as I say the assistants were appalling.

Crowd – 27,553 and a full 2,000+ from Leeds. Decent atmosphere but always think early games means it is hard for fans to get up for it (I had not had one alcoholic beverage for instance) and some fans take a while to wake up! The early goal helped and then the home fans found their voice to some degree and appreciated the pressure and play. Leeds then came back into it and their fans went wild when they scored of course. A little too wild. A few Leeds fans got overexcited in their celebrations with one fan seemingly walking round the field for a good 2 or 3 minutes before simply walking back into the away end with no steward seemingly interested! It was bizarre. Mind you I saw countless Blades fans enter the field (Rochdale, MK, Northampton, Bradford) last season and same thing happened before many United fans get on their high horse! I think what was different as most times United fans have celebrated or hugged their own players and then gone back. This lad was just walking around and seemed to be goading the home fans and players. It was very bizarre that he escaped any kind of ejection or arrest. (note- seen another post that says he was caught and arrested). After the game I opted to go the Kop way into town. It seemed that considering Barnsley played our rivals and this game; that there was not too much trouble but town centre was heavily policed both before and after the game

[bulmer1889]

I agree with pretty much everything except for the ref who has never played football in his life some of his decisions were mind boggling in favour of both teams at times but they appeared to escape with a hell of a lot more (any coincidence he was from Wakefield ! ) I thought fleck won the pen it looked more of a pen on the tv but having the advantage of my viewing position he appeared to wait for contact before going down easily and theatrically,the Clarke one was absolutely nailed on but was one of a number of decisions he got wrong imo on the day

Nice to get a win at home at last but we made hard work of it at times,we should have been out of sight before they got going,we also went back to overplaying a bit basham had 2 guilt edged opportunities to have a shot and declined these in favour of passing the responsibility on,I'll never berate anyone who has a dig and buys a ticket you won't win the raffle without one