Leedsunited.com 23/12/06
DERBY GAME STALEMATE
UNITED 0, HULL CITY 0
United: Warner, Richardson, Ehiogu, Heath, Lewis, Douglas, Derry, Howson, Westlake, Blake (Healy 71), Kandol. Subs: Sullivan, Carole, Moore, Kilgallon.
Hull City: Myhill, Dawson, Coles, Turner, McPhee (Forster 29), Delaney, Bridges (Yeates 62), Ricketts, Marney, Fagan, France. Subs: Elliott, Duke, Byron.
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Teenager midfielder Jonny Howson was handed his full debut against Hull City with skipper Kevin Nicholls serving the first of his three-match suspension.
Robbie Blake and Ugo Ehiogu returned to the starting line-up after shaking off injury with David Healy and Hayden Foxe dropping to the bench.
Tony Warner also returned to the side in place of the injured Graham Stack, making his first start since October. Neil Sullivan, recalled from a loan spell at Doncaster Rovers, was named among the substitutes.
The game started at a frenetic pace, but aside from one punched clearance from Warner, neither goalkeeper was seriously troubled during the opening 10 minutes.
Hull defender Michael Turner did make two good defensive blocks, though. The first came when he blocked a Jonathan Douglas strike and the second was when he headed away a teasing cross from Eddie Lewis.
At the other end, Matt Heath blocked a low shot from Michael Bridges as the game continued apace.
Turner again made another good clearance from a Lewis cross and, while challenges flew thick and fast, the game flowed from end to end.
And it was United who came closest to breaking the deadlock on 24 minutes when Blake sent a low, skidding effort inches wide of Boaz Myhill's upright.
When Blake threatened again, Hull defender Andy Dawson did well to force a corner after beating Douglas to the ball at the far post.
But Hull looked equally strong on the break - they moved the ball with pace - and early substitute Nicky Forster responded by firing wide.
Shortly before half-time, it was Tresor Kandol who forced Myhill into making the best save of the first half. Lewis delivered a pin-point cross from the left and the Hull keeper had to be at his best to tip Kandol's header over the top.
The second period started in the same vein as the first with both sides looking to exploit each other.
There was plenty of endeavour, but again, neither goalkeeper was seriously troubled despite the attacking intentions of both sides.
Lewis continued to be a threat for United and it was his delivery which forced a corner when Kandol was crowded out looking for the decisive touch.
As Leeds stayed in the Hull half, the enterprising Blake screwed a shot wide as he looked to force an opening.
The temperature raised a level with 18 minutes remaining when both sets of players became embroiled in a melee and United's Kandol found himself in the book.The game continued at a high tempo, though. Craig Fagan had a chance for Hull, but was denied by some quick-thinking from Heath and Warner while, at the other end, Howson was denied with a good chance after more impressive work by Lewis.
DERBY GAME STALEMATE
UNITED 0, HULL CITY 0
United: Warner, Richardson, Ehiogu, Heath, Lewis, Douglas, Derry, Howson, Westlake, Blake (Healy 71), Kandol. Subs: Sullivan, Carole, Moore, Kilgallon.
Hull City: Myhill, Dawson, Coles, Turner, McPhee (Forster 29), Delaney, Bridges (Yeates 62), Ricketts, Marney, Fagan, France. Subs: Elliott, Duke, Byron.
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Teenager midfielder Jonny Howson was handed his full debut against Hull City with skipper Kevin Nicholls serving the first of his three-match suspension.
Robbie Blake and Ugo Ehiogu returned to the starting line-up after shaking off injury with David Healy and Hayden Foxe dropping to the bench.
Tony Warner also returned to the side in place of the injured Graham Stack, making his first start since October. Neil Sullivan, recalled from a loan spell at Doncaster Rovers, was named among the substitutes.
The game started at a frenetic pace, but aside from one punched clearance from Warner, neither goalkeeper was seriously troubled during the opening 10 minutes.
Hull defender Michael Turner did make two good defensive blocks, though. The first came when he blocked a Jonathan Douglas strike and the second was when he headed away a teasing cross from Eddie Lewis.
At the other end, Matt Heath blocked a low shot from Michael Bridges as the game continued apace.
Turner again made another good clearance from a Lewis cross and, while challenges flew thick and fast, the game flowed from end to end.
And it was United who came closest to breaking the deadlock on 24 minutes when Blake sent a low, skidding effort inches wide of Boaz Myhill's upright.
When Blake threatened again, Hull defender Andy Dawson did well to force a corner after beating Douglas to the ball at the far post.
But Hull looked equally strong on the break - they moved the ball with pace - and early substitute Nicky Forster responded by firing wide.
Shortly before half-time, it was Tresor Kandol who forced Myhill into making the best save of the first half. Lewis delivered a pin-point cross from the left and the Hull keeper had to be at his best to tip Kandol's header over the top.
The second period started in the same vein as the first with both sides looking to exploit each other.
There was plenty of endeavour, but again, neither goalkeeper was seriously troubled despite the attacking intentions of both sides.
Lewis continued to be a threat for United and it was his delivery which forced a corner when Kandol was crowded out looking for the decisive touch.
As Leeds stayed in the Hull half, the enterprising Blake screwed a shot wide as he looked to force an opening.
The temperature raised a level with 18 minutes remaining when both sets of players became embroiled in a melee and United's Kandol found himself in the book.The game continued at a high tempo, though. Craig Fagan had a chance for Hull, but was denied by some quick-thinking from Heath and Warner while, at the other end, Howson was denied with a good chance after more impressive work by Lewis.