Leedsunited.com 1/1/08
NEW YEAR WOE
UNITED 1 (Constantine 46), OLDHAM 3 (Hazell 28, Trotman 36, Hughes OG 40)
Dennis Wise paired up Alan Thompson and Radostin Kishishev in midfielder, and also recalled David Prutton to the starting line-up with Seb Carole switching to the left flank in place of Ian Westlake.
The game marked the return of former United favourite John Sheridan in his capacity as Oldham boss, and it was visiting striker Craig Davies who forced Casper Ankergen into making the first save of the afternoon.
It was an untidy opening to the contest, Tresor Kandol had a shot blocked for United and Oldham's Chris Taylor tried his luck from distance.
Taylor's afternoon came to an end after just 19 minutes, though, when he limped out of the action, being replaced by Deane Smalley.
The sluggish nature of the contest continued until Oldham took the lead with an unbelievable effort from Reuben Hazell. The Latics defender seized on a poor clearance, chested the ball down, and unleashed a looping strike from 25 yards.
It should have been 2-0 on 35 minutes when Davies seized upon a mis-placed pass from Frazer Richardson, but Ankergren made a good save.
It was 2-0, though, from the resultant corner, Neal Trotman heading home Oldham's second.
Worse was to follow before half-time when Davies was allowed to send in a low cross. Lee Hughes attempted to turn it goalwards, but it was United's Andrew Hughes who got the final touch to turn it over the line.
The half-time interval was cut short for United, with Wise's men emerging a full five minutes before their opponents. The boss also made two changes with Tore Andre Flo and Leon Constantine replacing Kishishev and Carole.
The changes reaped an immediate reward with Constantine scoring with his first touch. The striker converted from close range, following a Jermaine Beckford pass, just 30 seconds into the half.
The goal lifted Elland Road and moments later, the duo combined again when Constantine screwed a shot wide of the mark.
But, with United effectively playing with a four-man attack, Oldham had another opportunity on 53 minutes when Hughes seized after Ankergren failed to hold a Trotman shot. The striker's finish was wide of the mark.
United had the ball in the net again on 66 minutes, but Kandol's close-range effort was ruled out by an offside flag. Beckford also lifted a shot over the top as the home side continued to press in search of another goal.
Yet it was Ankergren who made another good save to deny Mark Allott with 15 minutes remaining. Rui Marques also made a tremendous block to deny Craig Davies just three minutes from time as the clock started to tick down on a first home league defeat for 10 months.
Sheffield Wednesday were the last team to beat United in the league at Elland Road - last March - and the Owls were also the last visiting team to score three goals at Leeds.
NEW YEAR WOE
UNITED 1 (Constantine 46), OLDHAM 3 (Hazell 28, Trotman 36, Hughes OG 40)
Dennis Wise paired up Alan Thompson and Radostin Kishishev in midfielder, and also recalled David Prutton to the starting line-up with Seb Carole switching to the left flank in place of Ian Westlake.
The game marked the return of former United favourite John Sheridan in his capacity as Oldham boss, and it was visiting striker Craig Davies who forced Casper Ankergen into making the first save of the afternoon.
It was an untidy opening to the contest, Tresor Kandol had a shot blocked for United and Oldham's Chris Taylor tried his luck from distance.
Taylor's afternoon came to an end after just 19 minutes, though, when he limped out of the action, being replaced by Deane Smalley.
The sluggish nature of the contest continued until Oldham took the lead with an unbelievable effort from Reuben Hazell. The Latics defender seized on a poor clearance, chested the ball down, and unleashed a looping strike from 25 yards.
It should have been 2-0 on 35 minutes when Davies seized upon a mis-placed pass from Frazer Richardson, but Ankergren made a good save.
It was 2-0, though, from the resultant corner, Neal Trotman heading home Oldham's second.
Worse was to follow before half-time when Davies was allowed to send in a low cross. Lee Hughes attempted to turn it goalwards, but it was United's Andrew Hughes who got the final touch to turn it over the line.
The half-time interval was cut short for United, with Wise's men emerging a full five minutes before their opponents. The boss also made two changes with Tore Andre Flo and Leon Constantine replacing Kishishev and Carole.
The changes reaped an immediate reward with Constantine scoring with his first touch. The striker converted from close range, following a Jermaine Beckford pass, just 30 seconds into the half.
The goal lifted Elland Road and moments later, the duo combined again when Constantine screwed a shot wide of the mark.
But, with United effectively playing with a four-man attack, Oldham had another opportunity on 53 minutes when Hughes seized after Ankergren failed to hold a Trotman shot. The striker's finish was wide of the mark.
United had the ball in the net again on 66 minutes, but Kandol's close-range effort was ruled out by an offside flag. Beckford also lifted a shot over the top as the home side continued to press in search of another goal.
Yet it was Ankergren who made another good save to deny Mark Allott with 15 minutes remaining. Rui Marques also made a tremendous block to deny Craig Davies just three minutes from time as the clock started to tick down on a first home league defeat for 10 months.
Sheffield Wednesday were the last team to beat United in the league at Elland Road - last March - and the Owls were also the last visiting team to score three goals at Leeds.