Leeds 2 Wolves 0
leedsunited.com
Leeds enjoyed a great morale boosting win over
Championship rivals Wolves, with Rob Hulse finding the net on his return from injury and Eddie Lewis scoring his first goal for the club.
Pre-Match
United boss Kevin Blackwell made several changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Luton at Kenilworth Road last week.
Frazer Richardson, fresh from signing a new contract that keeps him at the club until 2009, was rewarded with a place on the right wing in place of Jermaine Wright, whilst upfront the big surprise was the return of Rob Hulse. The striker replaced Michael Ricketts in what was his first game since recovering from an ankle ligament injury picked up in pre-season.
Eirik Bakke's controversial decision to play for Norway in midweek backfired on him as he picked up an injury that saw him ruled out. His place in the centre of midfield was taken by Gylfi Einarsson.
New season long loan signing Jonathon Douglas signed in time to be given a place on the bench, where Neil Sullivan also made it after passing a fitness test before the game.
The Match
United got the perfect start after seven minutes when USA international Eddie Lewis scored the first goal of his Leeds United career.
Richardson met Kelly's ball into the edge of the area and he left two Wolves defenders in his wake, made it to the byline and cut the ball back across the face of the area where it appeared as if he had missed the intended target of Rob Hulse, but Eddie Lewis came steaming in and made no mistake from 12-yards out.
It was also just the start the game needed, for Wolves were desperate to continue a 21 match unbeaten run and it guaranteed they would come out and try to attack Leeds and make a real game of it. Kenny Miller had Wolves first chance to level the scores but as the ball broke to him on the edge of the area his first time, low, curling shot was straight into Ian Bennett's hands.
United fans screamed for a penalty midway through the half when in preventing Robbie Blake from getting away from him just inside the penalty area, Wolves defender Rob Edwards appeared to handle the ball as he turned to clear it.
Nothing was forthcoming though and whilst Leeds were still protesting, Wolves broke and came within a whisker of fashioning an equaliser.
Kenny Miller met a hanging cross on the right hand side of the area with a right foot volley that cannoned off the crossbar with Bennett beaten, and then with the ball still in play, Miller looked to go clean through on goal and was only prevented when Dan Harding nipped back and cleared the danger.
Rob Hulse gave Leeds an uneasy few minutes when he went down injured after being clattered by Michael Oakes the Wolves keeper. Fortunately he was able to rejoin the action but having just come back from injury, there were more than a few fears on the bench.Frazer Richardson could have made it 2-0 right at the end of normal time in the half, but his shot was deflected through legs and easily held by Oakes. Wolves had a chance of their own before the half-time whistle went, Carl Cort's shot was blocked well by Butler, otherwise it would have presented Bennett with a real test.
The statistics for the half told a story that Kevin Blackwell would not have been happy with. Wolves had had 11 shots on target compared to just two for the Whites, and Wolves had also enjoyed the vast majority of the possession.
At the start of the second half Lewis won a free-kick 20-yards out and again the free-kick routine where the three men going for the ball pretend to mess it up was employed. Robbie Blake eventually took the shot but it was straight into the wall.
On 58 minutes Blackwell made his first change of the game, with Robbie Blake going off and new-boy Jonathon Douglas coming on. Wolves also made a change of their own, Rohan Ricketts went off and Davies went on.
A minute later and it was 2-0 with Hulse giving Leeds some breathing space.
Gregan's free-kick was met by Einarsson climbing high in the box and his header found Hulse on the edge of the six yard box. Hulse still had plenty of hard work to do, but he turned Olofinjana and squeezed in a shot under the body of Oakes. It was a great way for the striker to mark his return and it gives him a record that reads one goal every two games for United. Colin Cameron must have been wondering exactly what he had to do to get a goal for Wolves. He had at least six shots on goal himself, and his best chance came on 68 minutes when he was left with just Bennett to beat, but from a narrow angle saw Bennett beat his high shot away to safety. Cameron was substituted shortly afterwards and left the field dejected.
With 15 minutes to go, Rob Hulse left the field to a standing ovation and was replaced by Michael Ricketts - although the crowd made it clear to Blackwell that they wanted to see David Healy on the pitch.
Just after the chance Richardson delivered a long cross and Eddie Lewis came in with a flying header at the back post and must have felt certain he would score his second goal as he connected perfectly with his header, but Oakes pulled off a great save, flinging himself at the ball and managing to palm it away. David Healy did eventually come on, and he did so to a hero's reception. Frazer Richardson, who had justified his inclusion in the starting XI, made way.
Two-nil nearly became 3-0 as Ricketts turned and shot inside the area but only found the side netting. The big man is getting closer with every game to his first league goal for the club.
Ian Bennett was clattered into in extra time and received treatment, and fortunately he was not added to United's injury list.
Leeds might not have played at their best, but they were still able to make their possession count with the two goals, and they can be very satisfied at taking three points off a side that, on this evidence, will still be one of the contenders for promotion come the end of the season.
leedsunited.com
Leeds enjoyed a great morale boosting win over
Championship rivals Wolves, with Rob Hulse finding the net on his return from injury and Eddie Lewis scoring his first goal for the club.Pre-Match
United boss Kevin Blackwell made several changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Luton at Kenilworth Road last week.
Frazer Richardson, fresh from signing a new contract that keeps him at the club until 2009, was rewarded with a place on the right wing in place of Jermaine Wright, whilst upfront the big surprise was the return of Rob Hulse. The striker replaced Michael Ricketts in what was his first game since recovering from an ankle ligament injury picked up in pre-season.
Eirik Bakke's controversial decision to play for Norway in midweek backfired on him as he picked up an injury that saw him ruled out. His place in the centre of midfield was taken by Gylfi Einarsson.
New season long loan signing Jonathon Douglas signed in time to be given a place on the bench, where Neil Sullivan also made it after passing a fitness test before the game.
The Match
United got the perfect start after seven minutes when USA international Eddie Lewis scored the first goal of his Leeds United career.
Richardson met Kelly's ball into the edge of the area and he left two Wolves defenders in his wake, made it to the byline and cut the ball back across the face of the area where it appeared as if he had missed the intended target of Rob Hulse, but Eddie Lewis came steaming in and made no mistake from 12-yards out.
It was also just the start the game needed, for Wolves were desperate to continue a 21 match unbeaten run and it guaranteed they would come out and try to attack Leeds and make a real game of it. Kenny Miller had Wolves first chance to level the scores but as the ball broke to him on the edge of the area his first time, low, curling shot was straight into Ian Bennett's hands.
United fans screamed for a penalty midway through the half when in preventing Robbie Blake from getting away from him just inside the penalty area, Wolves defender Rob Edwards appeared to handle the ball as he turned to clear it.
Nothing was forthcoming though and whilst Leeds were still protesting, Wolves broke and came within a whisker of fashioning an equaliser.
Kenny Miller met a hanging cross on the right hand side of the area with a right foot volley that cannoned off the crossbar with Bennett beaten, and then with the ball still in play, Miller looked to go clean through on goal and was only prevented when Dan Harding nipped back and cleared the danger.
Rob Hulse gave Leeds an uneasy few minutes when he went down injured after being clattered by Michael Oakes the Wolves keeper. Fortunately he was able to rejoin the action but having just come back from injury, there were more than a few fears on the bench.Frazer Richardson could have made it 2-0 right at the end of normal time in the half, but his shot was deflected through legs and easily held by Oakes. Wolves had a chance of their own before the half-time whistle went, Carl Cort's shot was blocked well by Butler, otherwise it would have presented Bennett with a real test.
The statistics for the half told a story that Kevin Blackwell would not have been happy with. Wolves had had 11 shots on target compared to just two for the Whites, and Wolves had also enjoyed the vast majority of the possession.
At the start of the second half Lewis won a free-kick 20-yards out and again the free-kick routine where the three men going for the ball pretend to mess it up was employed. Robbie Blake eventually took the shot but it was straight into the wall.
On 58 minutes Blackwell made his first change of the game, with Robbie Blake going off and new-boy Jonathon Douglas coming on. Wolves also made a change of their own, Rohan Ricketts went off and Davies went on.
A minute later and it was 2-0 with Hulse giving Leeds some breathing space.
Gregan's free-kick was met by Einarsson climbing high in the box and his header found Hulse on the edge of the six yard box. Hulse still had plenty of hard work to do, but he turned Olofinjana and squeezed in a shot under the body of Oakes. It was a great way for the striker to mark his return and it gives him a record that reads one goal every two games for United. Colin Cameron must have been wondering exactly what he had to do to get a goal for Wolves. He had at least six shots on goal himself, and his best chance came on 68 minutes when he was left with just Bennett to beat, but from a narrow angle saw Bennett beat his high shot away to safety. Cameron was substituted shortly afterwards and left the field dejected.
With 15 minutes to go, Rob Hulse left the field to a standing ovation and was replaced by Michael Ricketts - although the crowd made it clear to Blackwell that they wanted to see David Healy on the pitch.
Just after the chance Richardson delivered a long cross and Eddie Lewis came in with a flying header at the back post and must have felt certain he would score his second goal as he connected perfectly with his header, but Oakes pulled off a great save, flinging himself at the ball and managing to palm it away. David Healy did eventually come on, and he did so to a hero's reception. Frazer Richardson, who had justified his inclusion in the starting XI, made way.
Two-nil nearly became 3-0 as Ricketts turned and shot inside the area but only found the side netting. The big man is getting closer with every game to his first league goal for the club.
Ian Bennett was clattered into in extra time and received treatment, and fortunately he was not added to United's injury list.
Leeds might not have played at their best, but they were still able to make their possession count with the two goals, and they can be very satisfied at taking three points off a side that, on this evidence, will still be one of the contenders for promotion come the end of the season.