Bradford Telegraph & Argus 21/3/11
Paynter red card completes derby woe as Blades hit promotion hopes
Sheffield United 2, Leeds United 0
Leeds’ prospects of automatic promotion suffered a blow after a bitterly disappointing display at relegation-threatened Sheffield United.
The meek surrender of three points was bad enough but Billy Paynter’s off-the-ball offence two minutes from the end earned the substitute striker a red card and a three-match ban after the referee’s assistant spotted the incident.
It was the first time Leeds had failed to score in successive games for a year. They are still fifth but now six points behind an automatic Championship promotion spot after second-placed Norwich drew at Hull.
Although it is claimed Sheffield broke regulations by naming six loan players in their 18-man squad and having five on the pitch at one time, including goal-scorer Bjorn Helger Riise, Leeds had no excuse for a below par showing.
Manager Simon Grayson said: “I am hugely frustrated and disappointed. We got out of the game what we deserved – nothing.
“We never got going. Even when we had possession of the ball, we didn’t use it well enough. They seemed as if they wanted the result more than us.
“We were looking to get the three points to put pressure on the other teams but we didn’t manage to compete. Too many played as individuals instead of a team. We lost our battles all over the pitch.”
On Paynter’s dismissal, Grayson said: “The referee said after talking to his linesman that Billy butted one of their players. Billy is adamant that he didn’t.
“The DVD is a bit inconclusive so we may have to put up with it. If there is enough footage we will try to appeal but if not we will be wasting our time.”
The poor performance has lost the players some of the time off they would have enjoyed, with no match until a week on Saturday.
Grayson explained: “The plan has changed. We will be in on Monday morning, train for the rest of the week and then see what days off to give them.”
The relegation-threatened Blades surprisingly dominated proceedings but Kasper Schmeichel’s excellent goalkeeping denied Micky Adams’ men a first-half goal.
Schmeichel made saves from Sam Vokes, Nick Montgomery, Stephen Quinn and Daniel Bogdanovic (twice) as Sheffield dominated possession.
Leeds’ only scoring opportunity in the 90 minutes was squandered by Max Gradel, who headed wide at the far post after Barry Bannan, Robert Snodgrass and Eric Lichaj created the 18th-minute chance.
Lichaj had been one of Leeds’ best defenders but nine minutes after the interval the American slid in and conceded an own goal in attempting to prevent Montgomery’s driven cross from finding Bogdanovic a yard out.
Grayson kept switching his team’s formation in the hope of improving matters but without success as Sheffield hustled the promotion-chasers out of their stride.
Soon after the hour, leading scorer Becchio – who had been ineffective – was replaced by Paynter.
The Blades lost Montgomery with a knee injury 19 minutes from the end but his replacement Riise scored his side’s second goal just three minutes after leaving the bench.
Jonny Howson lost possession and Riise punished the Leeds captain’s error by scoring from a narrow angle.
Not even the introduction of Davide Somma and Sanchez Watt could revive Leeds, who made too many mistakes – especially in midfield where Blades battler Michael Doyle excelled against his old club.
Sheffield fought for their Championship lives and thoroughly deserved the points, leaving Leeds without a win at Bramall Lane since their title success in 1992.
Paynter red card completes derby woe as Blades hit promotion hopes
Sheffield United 2, Leeds United 0
Leeds’ prospects of automatic promotion suffered a blow after a bitterly disappointing display at relegation-threatened Sheffield United.
The meek surrender of three points was bad enough but Billy Paynter’s off-the-ball offence two minutes from the end earned the substitute striker a red card and a three-match ban after the referee’s assistant spotted the incident.
It was the first time Leeds had failed to score in successive games for a year. They are still fifth but now six points behind an automatic Championship promotion spot after second-placed Norwich drew at Hull.
Although it is claimed Sheffield broke regulations by naming six loan players in their 18-man squad and having five on the pitch at one time, including goal-scorer Bjorn Helger Riise, Leeds had no excuse for a below par showing.
Manager Simon Grayson said: “I am hugely frustrated and disappointed. We got out of the game what we deserved – nothing.
“We never got going. Even when we had possession of the ball, we didn’t use it well enough. They seemed as if they wanted the result more than us.
“We were looking to get the three points to put pressure on the other teams but we didn’t manage to compete. Too many played as individuals instead of a team. We lost our battles all over the pitch.”
On Paynter’s dismissal, Grayson said: “The referee said after talking to his linesman that Billy butted one of their players. Billy is adamant that he didn’t.
“The DVD is a bit inconclusive so we may have to put up with it. If there is enough footage we will try to appeal but if not we will be wasting our time.”
The poor performance has lost the players some of the time off they would have enjoyed, with no match until a week on Saturday.
Grayson explained: “The plan has changed. We will be in on Monday morning, train for the rest of the week and then see what days off to give them.”
The relegation-threatened Blades surprisingly dominated proceedings but Kasper Schmeichel’s excellent goalkeeping denied Micky Adams’ men a first-half goal.
Schmeichel made saves from Sam Vokes, Nick Montgomery, Stephen Quinn and Daniel Bogdanovic (twice) as Sheffield dominated possession.
Leeds’ only scoring opportunity in the 90 minutes was squandered by Max Gradel, who headed wide at the far post after Barry Bannan, Robert Snodgrass and Eric Lichaj created the 18th-minute chance.
Lichaj had been one of Leeds’ best defenders but nine minutes after the interval the American slid in and conceded an own goal in attempting to prevent Montgomery’s driven cross from finding Bogdanovic a yard out.
Grayson kept switching his team’s formation in the hope of improving matters but without success as Sheffield hustled the promotion-chasers out of their stride.
Soon after the hour, leading scorer Becchio – who had been ineffective – was replaced by Paynter.
The Blades lost Montgomery with a knee injury 19 minutes from the end but his replacement Riise scored his side’s second goal just three minutes after leaving the bench.
Jonny Howson lost possession and Riise punished the Leeds captain’s error by scoring from a narrow angle.
Not even the introduction of Davide Somma and Sanchez Watt could revive Leeds, who made too many mistakes – especially in midfield where Blades battler Michael Doyle excelled against his old club.
Sheffield fought for their Championship lives and thoroughly deserved the points, leaving Leeds without a win at Bramall Lane since their title success in 1992.
