leedsunited.com 9/11/10
LEVELLER DENIES UNITED DESERVED WIN
UNITED 2 (Johnson 32, O'Brien 71), HULL 2 (Bostock 14, Harper 82)
Leeds United manager Simon Grayson made three changes from the side which won 3-2 at Coventry on Saturday. Kasper Schmeichel returned in place of Jason Brown, Bradley Johnson came in for the injured Amdy Faye, and Alex Bruce was recalled for Neill Collins, who dropped to the bench.
United fashioned out the first opening of the game and in similar fashion to the first goal at Coventry, Robert Snodgrass supplied a good delivery into the box which was scrambled clear from an advancing Jonny Howson.
But it was Hull who drew first blood in the 14th minute with a powerful free-kick from Jon Bostock. The on-loan Tottenham youngster unleashed a stunning left foot strike from outside of the box leaving Schmeichel with no chance.
The opening goal was the only meaningful shot of what was a tense opening period. Both sides enjoyed possession, but while Leeds showed more purpose, it wasn't until Howson rounded off a good passing move by screwing a shot wide that United found a half-chance.
But United were deservedly level on minutes when some good pressing paid off and Johnson produced a greaty first time strike from just inside the box to make it 1-1.
Hull had offered little in the way of a threat, but Alex Bruce was called upon to hack a Bostock clear after a cross was scuffed across goal to set the loan man up with a decent chance.
Moments later, Snodgrass headed a Gradel cross over the top as Leeds threatened again. United continued to press again leading up to half-time, Gradel was prving a handful, and there were appeals for a penalty when Ian Ashbee appeared to handle a bouncing ball inside the box.
The half came to a close with a couple of bookings for Hull and flurry of free-kicks as Leeds went in at the break well-placed.
United were looking to end a run of three successive defeats on home soil and Grayson's men started the second period in positive fashion. Howson fired into the side netting from a tight angle on 51 minutes after a Gradel corner was headed across goal.
Becchio was next to go close when he hit the bar with a dipping shot after good work by Gradel and Johnson as Leeds continued to peg Hull back.
United were dominating by the midway stage of the second half and the visitors were defending deeper in numbers as Leeds played the ball around. Grayson also made his first change with just over 20 minutes remaining when he introduced Davide Somma in place of Gradel.
And Leeds were soon in front, courtesy of central defender Andy O'Brien. Snodgrass delivered a cross from the right and O'Brien got up wel to head beyond Matt Duke.
The lead was fully deserved with Leeds turning a best Elland Road performance since early September, and there was some frustration from the visitors when Becchio needed treatment after a clash with Ashbee.
Once play resumed, with a corner kick, Johnson headed wide from close range.
With 12 minutes left on the clock, Hull were reduced to 10 men when Bostock was given a second yellow card following a challenge from behind on the impressive McCartney.
But disaster struck on 82 minutes when a corner was swung in from the Hull right and both Johnson and James Harper swung their legs at it, and the connection was enough to send the ball past Schmeichel.
It was an unfortunate goal to concede after a second half which Leeds had dominated, but Grayson's men continued to press. In the final minute,. Bruce had a flying header cleared off the line by Liam Rosenior before Becchio smashed the rebound over the top.Four minutes of injury time, a first Elland Road introduction for Billy Paynter, and a near 25,000 crowd urged Leeds on - but the winner United deserved didn't come as Grayson's men had to be content with a point.
LEVELLER DENIES UNITED DESERVED WIN
UNITED 2 (Johnson 32, O'Brien 71), HULL 2 (Bostock 14, Harper 82)
Leeds United manager Simon Grayson made three changes from the side which won 3-2 at Coventry on Saturday. Kasper Schmeichel returned in place of Jason Brown, Bradley Johnson came in for the injured Amdy Faye, and Alex Bruce was recalled for Neill Collins, who dropped to the bench.
United fashioned out the first opening of the game and in similar fashion to the first goal at Coventry, Robert Snodgrass supplied a good delivery into the box which was scrambled clear from an advancing Jonny Howson.
But it was Hull who drew first blood in the 14th minute with a powerful free-kick from Jon Bostock. The on-loan Tottenham youngster unleashed a stunning left foot strike from outside of the box leaving Schmeichel with no chance.
The opening goal was the only meaningful shot of what was a tense opening period. Both sides enjoyed possession, but while Leeds showed more purpose, it wasn't until Howson rounded off a good passing move by screwing a shot wide that United found a half-chance.
But United were deservedly level on minutes when some good pressing paid off and Johnson produced a greaty first time strike from just inside the box to make it 1-1.
Hull had offered little in the way of a threat, but Alex Bruce was called upon to hack a Bostock clear after a cross was scuffed across goal to set the loan man up with a decent chance.
Moments later, Snodgrass headed a Gradel cross over the top as Leeds threatened again. United continued to press again leading up to half-time, Gradel was prving a handful, and there were appeals for a penalty when Ian Ashbee appeared to handle a bouncing ball inside the box.
The half came to a close with a couple of bookings for Hull and flurry of free-kicks as Leeds went in at the break well-placed.
United were looking to end a run of three successive defeats on home soil and Grayson's men started the second period in positive fashion. Howson fired into the side netting from a tight angle on 51 minutes after a Gradel corner was headed across goal.
Becchio was next to go close when he hit the bar with a dipping shot after good work by Gradel and Johnson as Leeds continued to peg Hull back.
United were dominating by the midway stage of the second half and the visitors were defending deeper in numbers as Leeds played the ball around. Grayson also made his first change with just over 20 minutes remaining when he introduced Davide Somma in place of Gradel.
And Leeds were soon in front, courtesy of central defender Andy O'Brien. Snodgrass delivered a cross from the right and O'Brien got up wel to head beyond Matt Duke.
The lead was fully deserved with Leeds turning a best Elland Road performance since early September, and there was some frustration from the visitors when Becchio needed treatment after a clash with Ashbee.
Once play resumed, with a corner kick, Johnson headed wide from close range.
With 12 minutes left on the clock, Hull were reduced to 10 men when Bostock was given a second yellow card following a challenge from behind on the impressive McCartney.
But disaster struck on 82 minutes when a corner was swung in from the Hull right and both Johnson and James Harper swung their legs at it, and the connection was enough to send the ball past Schmeichel.
It was an unfortunate goal to concede after a second half which Leeds had dominated, but Grayson's men continued to press. In the final minute,. Bruce had a flying header cleared off the line by Liam Rosenior before Becchio smashed the rebound over the top.Four minutes of injury time, a first Elland Road introduction for Billy Paynter, and a near 25,000 crowd urged Leeds on - but the winner United deserved didn't come as Grayson's men had to be content with a point.
