CARVER RELIEF AS LEEDS KEEP UP PRESSURE
Sporting Life
Head coach John Carver admitted Leeds had not produced a vintage performance but was relieved to have claimed a 2-0 win over QPR in the Coca-Cola Championship clash at Elland Road.
Richard Cresswell and Paul Butler got the goals which keep the Yorkshire side in the chase for
automatic promotion with 11 points separating them from second-placed Sheffield United, who play Watford on Monday night.
"It wasn't pretty and it was a little bit scrappy," said Carver. "I thought we tried to play good football but took one pass too many at times.
"Overall though, I'm delighted with the result."
Kevin Blackwell's team registered their 10th home win of the season with a comfortable display against a committed Rangers side as they look to keep the pressure up on the Blades.
Both sides showed plenty of desire but there was little quality on display until Cresswell's header broke the deadlock.
Only Lewis, Leeds' American winger, posed any consistent threat with a string of menacing runs and dangerous crosses.
"When you've got quality players like Eddie in the side, that's often the difference between winning and losing," Carver.
Cresswell put Leeds ahead just before half-time with a well-taken looping header and it was a lead the hosts never looked likely to lose.
Butler's effort - his third goal of the season - wrapped up the win after he powered home Lewis' cross with seven minutes left.
Rangers provided little attacking thrust, with only Keith Lowe's header forcing a save from Neil Sullivan in an otherwise quiet afternoon for the Leeds stopper.
With four players making their debut for QPR it was easy to understand their lack of cohesion and quality but Leeds worked hard to make Rangers look poor.
QPR boss Ian Holloway had even been forced into a last-minute deal to solve his goalkeeping crisis as Phil Barnes was thrown straight into the action little more than three hours after joining the club on a seven-day loan deal from Sheffield United.
But despite the result, Holloway was left feeling immensely proud of the display his mix-and-match side.
"I thought my Queens Park Strangers (correct) side were terrific," he said.
"I've never experienced anything like that. Four of our back five were new to the side but they showed me a lot."At times we huffed and puffed a little though. The difference for me was that their chances were crisp and concise. Then halfway through the second half they bring on Rob Hulse and Robbie Blake off the bench and that just rubs salt into the wounds."
Sporting Life
Head coach John Carver admitted Leeds had not produced a vintage performance but was relieved to have claimed a 2-0 win over QPR in the Coca-Cola Championship clash at Elland Road.
Richard Cresswell and Paul Butler got the goals which keep the Yorkshire side in the chase for
automatic promotion with 11 points separating them from second-placed Sheffield United, who play Watford on Monday night."It wasn't pretty and it was a little bit scrappy," said Carver. "I thought we tried to play good football but took one pass too many at times.
"Overall though, I'm delighted with the result."
Kevin Blackwell's team registered their 10th home win of the season with a comfortable display against a committed Rangers side as they look to keep the pressure up on the Blades.
Both sides showed plenty of desire but there was little quality on display until Cresswell's header broke the deadlock.
Only Lewis, Leeds' American winger, posed any consistent threat with a string of menacing runs and dangerous crosses.
"When you've got quality players like Eddie in the side, that's often the difference between winning and losing," Carver.
Cresswell put Leeds ahead just before half-time with a well-taken looping header and it was a lead the hosts never looked likely to lose.
Butler's effort - his third goal of the season - wrapped up the win after he powered home Lewis' cross with seven minutes left.
Rangers provided little attacking thrust, with only Keith Lowe's header forcing a save from Neil Sullivan in an otherwise quiet afternoon for the Leeds stopper.
With four players making their debut for QPR it was easy to understand their lack of cohesion and quality but Leeds worked hard to make Rangers look poor.
QPR boss Ian Holloway had even been forced into a last-minute deal to solve his goalkeeping crisis as Phil Barnes was thrown straight into the action little more than three hours after joining the club on a seven-day loan deal from Sheffield United.
But despite the result, Holloway was left feeling immensely proud of the display his mix-and-match side.
"I thought my Queens Park Strangers (correct) side were terrific," he said.
"I've never experienced anything like that. Four of our back five were new to the side but they showed me a lot."At times we huffed and puffed a little though. The difference for me was that their chances were crisp and concise. Then halfway through the second half they bring on Rob Hulse and Robbie Blake off the bench and that just rubs salt into the wounds."
