Yorkshire Post 31/3/07
Leeds lifted by Healy's header
By Richard Sutcliffe at Elland Road
Leeds United 2 Preston North End 1
"WE'RE going to Liverpool, you're going to Blackpool," mocked the small band of Preston North End fans in the corner of Elland Road ahead of kick-off last night.On the evidence of the absorbing action that followed, the first half of such a bold claim is about as likely to happen as Steve McClaren suddenly becoming the darling of English football. The sentiment about Leeds facing a trip to the seaside next season could also prove wide of the mark after a pulsating United victory was sealed in thrilling fashion by David Healy in the final minute.Fresh from his heroics with Northern Ireland, the Leeds striker delivered just when his side needed it most to deliver three points. Elland Road erupted with the joy of players, coaching staff and fans speaking volumes for the potential value of this victory.Not only does it lift United off the bottom of the Championship for the first time in two months, it means survival could yet be earned by a side now unbeaten in four games. It was a fitting, and ultimately deserved ending to an engrossing and tension-filled night as Dennis Wise's side finally displayed the sort of quality and determination needed to get out of trouble.Results today, and particularly in the Hull v Southend and Burnley v Luton games, will mean the relegation picture will be slightly clearer come 5pm.But at least there is now hope for Leeds after the sort of display that, had it been repeated across the campaign, would have seen the club battling Preston for a play-off position rather than fighting for their lives at the wrong end of the Championship. Wise had been able to field a strong side with no less than five current internationals starting the game along with a former England left-back and a goalkeeper, Casper Ankergren, who seems just weeks away from his senior bow with Denmark.Such quality meant Leeds were able to play at such a tempo that Preston found it difficult to keep pace. The probing of Robbie Blake combined with the energy and zest of a midfield that Radostin Kishishev's arrival has breathed life into meant the first half was as one-sided affair as Sky viewers watching at home are likely to see all year. Richard Cresswell, David Healy and Robbie Blake all dragged efforts just wide of the target after incisive moves, and it took a full-length save from Andy Lonergan to deny Lubomir Michalik's powerful volley.Such wastefulness in front of goal meant Preston went in at the break ahead courtesy of some customary poor defending from United.Neat play between Callum Davidson and Elland Road old boy Danny Pugh had seen the ball played through for Brett Ormerod who, taking advantage of the home defence wrongly appealing for offside, raced through to score.Leeds equalised seven minutes after the restart when Blake slid in at the far post to convert Cresswell's drilled cross from the left flank. That was just the lift the home side needed and after a couple of fortunate offside flags had denied Preston, substitute Michael Ricketts did
more for United's cause than he managed throughout his time at Elland Road by firing an easy chance over from close range with just 13 minutes left on the clock.That meant when Healy cleverly converted a left-wing cross from Eddie Lewis in the final minute United had the victory their efforts had so deserved. It also means that after taking four points from successive games against Southend and North End, it is not yet the end of the club's quest to stay up.
Leeds lifted by Healy's header
By Richard Sutcliffe at Elland Road
Leeds United 2 Preston North End 1
"WE'RE going to Liverpool, you're going to Blackpool," mocked the small band of Preston North End fans in the corner of Elland Road ahead of kick-off last night.On the evidence of the absorbing action that followed, the first half of such a bold claim is about as likely to happen as Steve McClaren suddenly becoming the darling of English football. The sentiment about Leeds facing a trip to the seaside next season could also prove wide of the mark after a pulsating United victory was sealed in thrilling fashion by David Healy in the final minute.Fresh from his heroics with Northern Ireland, the Leeds striker delivered just when his side needed it most to deliver three points. Elland Road erupted with the joy of players, coaching staff and fans speaking volumes for the potential value of this victory.Not only does it lift United off the bottom of the Championship for the first time in two months, it means survival could yet be earned by a side now unbeaten in four games. It was a fitting, and ultimately deserved ending to an engrossing and tension-filled night as Dennis Wise's side finally displayed the sort of quality and determination needed to get out of trouble.Results today, and particularly in the Hull v Southend and Burnley v Luton games, will mean the relegation picture will be slightly clearer come 5pm.But at least there is now hope for Leeds after the sort of display that, had it been repeated across the campaign, would have seen the club battling Preston for a play-off position rather than fighting for their lives at the wrong end of the Championship. Wise had been able to field a strong side with no less than five current internationals starting the game along with a former England left-back and a goalkeeper, Casper Ankergren, who seems just weeks away from his senior bow with Denmark.Such quality meant Leeds were able to play at such a tempo that Preston found it difficult to keep pace. The probing of Robbie Blake combined with the energy and zest of a midfield that Radostin Kishishev's arrival has breathed life into meant the first half was as one-sided affair as Sky viewers watching at home are likely to see all year. Richard Cresswell, David Healy and Robbie Blake all dragged efforts just wide of the target after incisive moves, and it took a full-length save from Andy Lonergan to deny Lubomir Michalik's powerful volley.Such wastefulness in front of goal meant Preston went in at the break ahead courtesy of some customary poor defending from United.Neat play between Callum Davidson and Elland Road old boy Danny Pugh had seen the ball played through for Brett Ormerod who, taking advantage of the home defence wrongly appealing for offside, raced through to score.Leeds equalised seven minutes after the restart when Blake slid in at the far post to convert Cresswell's drilled cross from the left flank. That was just the lift the home side needed and after a couple of fortunate offside flags had denied Preston, substitute Michael Ricketts did
more for United's cause than he managed throughout his time at Elland Road by firing an easy chance over from close range with just 13 minutes left on the clock.That meant when Healy cleverly converted a left-wing cross from Eddie Lewis in the final minute United had the victory their efforts had so deserved. It also means that after taking four points from successive games against Southend and North End, it is not yet the end of the club's quest to stay up.