Telegraph | Sport | Leeds finding their feet again
Leeds finding their feet again
By Ross Reid
(Filed: 15/09/2004)
Plymouth (0) 0 Leeds Utd (1) 1
Plymouth suffered their first home league defeat since last September as Leeds United gained their first away success of the season thanks to an own goal by Marino Keith.
The arrival of the Yorkshire side, Champions League semi-finalists just over three years ago, attracted an all-ticket sell-out attendance of 20,555 to Home Park.
It was the newly promoted Devon side's highest league gate since a Boxing Day match against Portsmouth in 1986 and the rebuilding of their stadium two years ago.
The ground has changed a lot since Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell was on the Plymouth management staff in 1997 and 1998.
Blackwell's Leeds side were unchanged from the team who beat Coventry 3-0 on Saturday, while there were three changes to Argyle, beaten 3-2 at Queens Park Rangers.
French keeper Romain Larrieu and right back Paul Connolly both made their seasonal bows while striker Keith, who scored in the last minute at Loftus Road, was rewarded with his first home start of the season.
It was Argyle old hand, Michael Evans, who came closest to scoring in the early stages, sending Neil Sullivan scampering across his goal to keep out a deft flick.
Jermaine Wright blasted a hopeful 25-yard shot over Larrieu's bar in the 19th minute and Brian Deane had header that went wide.
Argyle's Northern Ireland international Tony Capaldi was then an early casualty, substituted in the 24th minute after challenging Leeds right back Gary Kelly.
Wright's angled drive beat Larrieu two minutes later but also evaded on-rushing Simon Walton and Julian Joachim at the far post.
Larrieu then made a superb point-blank save with his legs to deny Deane in the 32nd minute.
Leeds pressure finally reaped rewards in the 43rd minute after Peter Gilbert had cleared Walton's low drive off the goal-line.
Argyle were unable to clear further than United skipper Paul Butler and his cross-cum-shot skimmed off the head of Keith and in.
Immediately Keith had the opportunity to make amends at the other end, but Sullivan made a one-on-one stop to deny the Scottish striker.
Plymouth began the second half brighter, but found it hard work to break down a resolute visiting defence in which Butler and Clarke Carlisle were impressive.
Plymouth manager Bobby Williamson tried to pep up the attack with Scotland international striker Stevie Crawford for Evans in the 71st minute.
Leeds striker Deane caused another goalmouth scramble when his 73rd minute shot from 10 yards out was blocked and the follow-up from Wright flew wide of the target.
Sullivan spilled a cross from right back Paul Connolly but David Friio was adjudged to have impeded the keeper.
Debutant Matthew Spring, on as a second half substitute, had a thumping 25 yard shot palmed over by Larrieu in a stop-start second spell.
Leeds finding their feet again
By Ross Reid
(Filed: 15/09/2004)
Plymouth (0) 0 Leeds Utd (1) 1
Plymouth suffered their first home league defeat since last September as Leeds United gained their first away success of the season thanks to an own goal by Marino Keith.
The arrival of the Yorkshire side, Champions League semi-finalists just over three years ago, attracted an all-ticket sell-out attendance of 20,555 to Home Park.
It was the newly promoted Devon side's highest league gate since a Boxing Day match against Portsmouth in 1986 and the rebuilding of their stadium two years ago.
The ground has changed a lot since Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell was on the Plymouth management staff in 1997 and 1998.
Blackwell's Leeds side were unchanged from the team who beat Coventry 3-0 on Saturday, while there were three changes to Argyle, beaten 3-2 at Queens Park Rangers.
French keeper Romain Larrieu and right back Paul Connolly both made their seasonal bows while striker Keith, who scored in the last minute at Loftus Road, was rewarded with his first home start of the season.
It was Argyle old hand, Michael Evans, who came closest to scoring in the early stages, sending Neil Sullivan scampering across his goal to keep out a deft flick.
Jermaine Wright blasted a hopeful 25-yard shot over Larrieu's bar in the 19th minute and Brian Deane had header that went wide.
Argyle's Northern Ireland international Tony Capaldi was then an early casualty, substituted in the 24th minute after challenging Leeds right back Gary Kelly.
Wright's angled drive beat Larrieu two minutes later but also evaded on-rushing Simon Walton and Julian Joachim at the far post.
Larrieu then made a superb point-blank save with his legs to deny Deane in the 32nd minute.
Leeds pressure finally reaped rewards in the 43rd minute after Peter Gilbert had cleared Walton's low drive off the goal-line.
Argyle were unable to clear further than United skipper Paul Butler and his cross-cum-shot skimmed off the head of Keith and in.
Immediately Keith had the opportunity to make amends at the other end, but Sullivan made a one-on-one stop to deny the Scottish striker.
Plymouth began the second half brighter, but found it hard work to break down a resolute visiting defence in which Butler and Clarke Carlisle were impressive.
Plymouth manager Bobby Williamson tried to pep up the attack with Scotland international striker Stevie Crawford for Evans in the 71st minute.
Leeds striker Deane caused another goalmouth scramble when his 73rd minute shot from 10 yards out was blocked and the follow-up from Wright flew wide of the target.
Sullivan spilled a cross from right back Paul Connolly but David Friio was adjudged to have impeded the keeper.
Debutant Matthew Spring, on as a second half substitute, had a thumping 25 yard shot palmed over by Larrieu in a stop-start second spell.