The Observer | Sport | Championship: Leeds 1 - 0 Preston
Pugh takes the plaudits
John Wardle at Elland Road
Sunday October 17, 2004
The Observer
Danny Pugh finally ended Leeds United's lengthy wait for a goal. Their drought had lasted for more than seven hours when the former Manchester United winger struck to extend Preston's dreadful away record.
It ensured a victory that this lethargic Leeds team hardly deserved, but nobody could dispute Pugh's right to emerge as the match-winner with his sixth goal of the season.
It was an appropriate reward for Pugh's industry and intelligence down United's left flank, adding to the belief that his arrival in the summer on a free transfer was one of the shrewder recent moves by a troubled club.
'He's been a revelation,' said Sam Ellis, the Leeds assistant manager. 'He had scored only one goal before this season and now he's got six by the middle of October. Let's hope he can keep it going. He played only one league game before he came here. He is a young lad without a lot of experience.'
Pugh's goal leaves Preston with only two points from their seven away games and their frustration surfaced when assistant manager David Kelly was sent off in the 63rd minute after pushing the fourth official Craig Barker and hurling away a water bottle.
Manager Billy Davies said: 'I think David had a point because one of our players went down, but let's talk about the football.'
That proved to be a brief conversation because there was little football played. The first half was particularly nondescript, with just one clear opportunity created when the 12th-minute shot of Preston's Graham Alexander was diverted wide by Pugh.
Later in the half, Pugh and Brett Ormerod forced Andy Lonergan to make routine saves from long-range attempts, while Simon Walton headed over.
More passion was injected into the game in a second half that mercifully involved more threats on goal, but quality football was still a rarity.
Preston's Dixon Etuhu should have done better with a 47th-minute chance, but he misdirected his header from Andy Smith's cross before Pugh, rising above the general mediocrity, led United's response.
A low cross from the winger appeared dangerous until it ended up at the slumbering Michael Ricketts, who was soon to be substituted.
Then Pugh found space again for a shot that gave Lonergan his first moment of concern. And, just when a goal appeared improbable, Pugh finally made the breakthrough when he turned in a cross from Ormerod, who did well to rob Alexander and hold off two challenges as he scrambled into the area.
Keeper Neil Sullivan's last-minute save from Lewis gave Leeds their seventh clean sheet in the league, but this was a game that showed why they have now put in a third offer for Preston striker David Healy.
Ellis said: 'We have put in another bid, but it wouldn't be right to give the amount. I think he is a good player, but it was difficult for him today.'
Pugh takes the plaudits
John Wardle at Elland Road
Sunday October 17, 2004
The Observer
Danny Pugh finally ended Leeds United's lengthy wait for a goal. Their drought had lasted for more than seven hours when the former Manchester United winger struck to extend Preston's dreadful away record.
It ensured a victory that this lethargic Leeds team hardly deserved, but nobody could dispute Pugh's right to emerge as the match-winner with his sixth goal of the season.
It was an appropriate reward for Pugh's industry and intelligence down United's left flank, adding to the belief that his arrival in the summer on a free transfer was one of the shrewder recent moves by a troubled club.
'He's been a revelation,' said Sam Ellis, the Leeds assistant manager. 'He had scored only one goal before this season and now he's got six by the middle of October. Let's hope he can keep it going. He played only one league game before he came here. He is a young lad without a lot of experience.'
Pugh's goal leaves Preston with only two points from their seven away games and their frustration surfaced when assistant manager David Kelly was sent off in the 63rd minute after pushing the fourth official Craig Barker and hurling away a water bottle.
Manager Billy Davies said: 'I think David had a point because one of our players went down, but let's talk about the football.'
That proved to be a brief conversation because there was little football played. The first half was particularly nondescript, with just one clear opportunity created when the 12th-minute shot of Preston's Graham Alexander was diverted wide by Pugh.
Later in the half, Pugh and Brett Ormerod forced Andy Lonergan to make routine saves from long-range attempts, while Simon Walton headed over.
More passion was injected into the game in a second half that mercifully involved more threats on goal, but quality football was still a rarity.
Preston's Dixon Etuhu should have done better with a 47th-minute chance, but he misdirected his header from Andy Smith's cross before Pugh, rising above the general mediocrity, led United's response.
A low cross from the winger appeared dangerous until it ended up at the slumbering Michael Ricketts, who was soon to be substituted.
Then Pugh found space again for a shot that gave Lonergan his first moment of concern. And, just when a goal appeared improbable, Pugh finally made the breakthrough when he turned in a cross from Ormerod, who did well to rob Alexander and hold off two challenges as he scrambled into the area.
Keeper Neil Sullivan's last-minute save from Lewis gave Leeds their seventh clean sheet in the league, but this was a game that showed why they have now put in a third offer for Preston striker David Healy.
Ellis said: 'We have put in another bid, but it wouldn't be right to give the amount. I think he is a good player, but it was difficult for him today.'