Yorkshire Evening Post 14/1/08
United third after beating Crewe
By Phil Hay
Crewe Alexandra 0 Leeds United 1 Leeds United might prefer for Jermaine Beckford to keep a low profile until January is out, but the striker witnessed the familiar sight of his name in lights at Gresty Road last night.
The official line from Elland Road states that Beckford is not for sale, but the 24-year-old is tempting other clubs to test the extent of United's resistance. His 16th goal of the season completed a routine but important victory over Crewe Alexandra and reminded Dennis Wise why Leeds must reach the end of the month with Beckford intact. Paul Jewell, Derby County's manager, was present at the Alexandra Stadium yesterday evening, an appearance which was enough in itself to set the rumour mill in motion. County have been linked - somewhat tenuously - with a £3million bid for Beckford, and if Jewell's attendance was not purposeful, it was certainly convenient. Wise has already indicated that he would reject such a sum and advise Beckford against a transfer to Pride Park, but he will be privately hoping that Leeds reach the end of the transfer window without receiving an offer they cannot refuse. Every player has his price, yet few are as important to a club as Beckford is to United. Even below his best, as he was last night, the striker has the ability to settle matches in a flash. Beckford's performance against Crewe was not his finest or his most inspired, but the fact that his 36th-minute header separated the teams at full-time simply reiterated his value to both Leeds and Wise. Either side of the goal his chances were limited, but United carried the confident look of a side who expected to protect even the narrowest of advantages. Once the visitors pushed ahead through Beckford's bravery, a seventh away win of the season was almost a formality. The winning goal owed much to Crewe's goalkeeper, Ben Williams, whose rush of blood gave Beckford the simple task of cushioning a header into an empty net. Ben Parker and debutant Peter Sweeney exchanged passes on the left wing, and the latter's cross coaxed Williams into competing for a ball he had little chance of claiming. The keeper ran from his goalline and clattered clumsily into Beckford on the penalty spot, but the forward held his position and directed his finish goalwards before Williams' challenge left him on his back.
Crewe's manager, Steve Holland, described the winning goal as soft but, through patient endeavour, United had earned their lead. Before Beckford's strike, Leeds had hit the crossbar through Andrew Hughes and seen Tore Andre Flo miss Williams' goal with a chance he would have expected to take. Gresty Road did not throw up a classic last night but, in the shadow of their convincing victory over Northampton, United's confidence underwent a second round of repair.
Beyond the result, United's performance was another indication that Wise's activity in the transfer market has successfully tackled the problematic areas of his squad. Sweeney made an excellent debut on the left wing, supplying the thrust and quality of crossing that Leeds have been yearning. Darren Kenton was asked to fill the sizeable shoes of Rui Marques at centre-back, and did so with the confidence of a player who has coped at a level far above League One. He and Paul Huntington kept Crewe in check, and though United were not always comfortable beneath high deliveries into their box, their clean sheet was only briefly threatened.
Crewe's record this season suggested it might be so, yet their unpredictable form made the comfortable nature of last night's victory especially satisfying.
United have strong designs on automatic promotion in spite of the advantage held by Swansea City and Nottingham Forest, and a draw at Gresty Road would have been of limited value. Titles are not won in January, as Wise reiterated before kick-off, but this month had the potential to break Leeds.
The early weeks of the transfer window, however, have rejuvenated United in the way that their manager predicted, and the club have reacted responsibly to the problems experienced in the closing weeks of 2007. A spectacular victory was not essential last night; a win of any sorts was.
The signs were promising after only four minutes when Sweeney's corner was headed against the bar by Hughes, and the first half belonged almost exclusively to Leeds. Sweeney - signed last week from Stoke City - was involved again in the build up to Flo's opportunity on 17 minutes, tricking his way off the left flank and slipping a pass to Beckford inside the box. The striker's lay-off gave Flo space to pick out the corner of Williams' net, but an uncharacteristic finish sliced off the outside of his boot and sailed wide of the keeper's right-hand post.
Casper Ankergren was troubled only once before the interval, diving at the base of his post to block Gary Roberts' header, and Beckford's goal provided a fair relection of a half which Leeds had controlled.
Their lead would have been more substantial, however, had Wise's side been awarded a penalty two minutes after the break. Frazer Richardson's shot from the edge of the box was turned past the post by Ben Rix, and replays later exposed clear use of his arm. Referee Kevin Friend, whose habit of waving away big decisions was hand-washing on the scale of Pontius Pilate, ignored the appeals from Leeds' players, and Wise later exonerated the Leicestershire official by claiming he was unsighted. It is unlikely that United's manager would have been so gracious had Crewe restored parity during the second half.
Within a minute of Rix's intervention, the midfielder was cursing his fortune at the other end of the field, denied a goal by the quick reactions of Ankergren who rushed from his goal to throw his body in front of Rix's low shot.
But the chance fuelled Crewe's optimism, and Ankergren pushed Nicky Maynard's header off the line before Chris McCready nodded the ball against the bar amid a crowd of jostling players in the 69th minute. It was a threat that United took seriously, and from there on Holland's players created little.
Crewe were eventually reduced to 10 men when, having used three substitutes, Holland was forced to withdraw the injured Julien Baudet. With his departure went the Alex's chance of a point.
Jewell, meanwhile, left the stadium shortly before the final whistle, keeping his thoughts to himself. If Derby intend to bid for Beckford then they will show their hand soon enough but, one way or the other, Jewell will expect to see the striker playing in the Championship next season. So will Wise.
Leedsunited.com 14/1/08
BECKS-ELLENT
CREWE 0, UNITED 1 (Beckford 36)
After a busy week in the transfer market, Dennis Wise handed debuts to two of his new signings with Darren Kenton, on loan from Leicester, and Peter Sweeney both being named in the starting line-up. Another new recruit, Bradley Johnson, was named among the subs while skipper Alan Thompson also returned to the bench after injury.
It was one of those new signings, Sweeney, who had the first shot at goal when he fired wide after 90 seconds, following a half-cleared free-kick.
Moments later, Andrew Hughes headed a Sweeney corner against the bar as Leeds started brightly.
It was a good opening by United, who passed the ball well and looked a threat from the first whistle. United's movement was good, and Tore Andre Flo was next to go close after 17 minutes when scooped a shot wide after Jermaine Beckford held the ball up.
But it was Casper Ankergren who made the first save of the game when he got down well to deny Michael O'Connor with a powerful header on 20 minutes.
United's final delivery in the box was the key factor in keeping chances to a minimum during the opening half-hour - Crewe only threatened briefly - but the deadlock was broken on 36 minutes when Beckford bagged his 16th goal of the season.
The striker latched onto a deep cross from Sweeney and headed beyond the reach of a struggling Ben Williams to give United a deserved lead in the contest.
Sweeney was again the tormentor in the final minute of the half when he delivered another threatening cross from the left, but no one was able to make a connection.
United were also quick out of the blocks at the start of the second period, and just 90 seconds in, there were furious protests aimed at the referee after claims that a Frazer Richardson was blatantly handled on the line by Ben Rix.
Crewe responded immediately by forcing Ankergren into making another good save, and the entertainment continued as both sides moved the ball quickly.
Both Kenton and Ben Parker made timely blocks to deny the hosts as they started to look more of a threat when in possession.
The crossbar also came to the rescue after 69 minutes when Chris McCready rattled a header against the woodwork.
With 19 minutes remaining, Bradley Johnson became the third debut of the night when he replaced David Prutton. The youngster's first involvement was to release Andrew Hughes in a good position, but his cross-cum-shot fizzed across the face of goal.
Tresor Kandol was introduced on 77 minutes and his first real involvement was to hold the ball up and create a chance for Beckford - but the striker was unable to apply the finishing touch.
As the assistant referee signalled four minutes of added time, Frazer Richardson tested Williams with a shot from distance as United looked to seal the points.
And that proved to be the last action of the game as United recorded a first away win since November to move back into third place in League One.
United third after beating Crewe
By Phil Hay
Crewe Alexandra 0 Leeds United 1 Leeds United might prefer for Jermaine Beckford to keep a low profile until January is out, but the striker witnessed the familiar sight of his name in lights at Gresty Road last night.
The official line from Elland Road states that Beckford is not for sale, but the 24-year-old is tempting other clubs to test the extent of United's resistance. His 16th goal of the season completed a routine but important victory over Crewe Alexandra and reminded Dennis Wise why Leeds must reach the end of the month with Beckford intact. Paul Jewell, Derby County's manager, was present at the Alexandra Stadium yesterday evening, an appearance which was enough in itself to set the rumour mill in motion. County have been linked - somewhat tenuously - with a £3million bid for Beckford, and if Jewell's attendance was not purposeful, it was certainly convenient. Wise has already indicated that he would reject such a sum and advise Beckford against a transfer to Pride Park, but he will be privately hoping that Leeds reach the end of the transfer window without receiving an offer they cannot refuse. Every player has his price, yet few are as important to a club as Beckford is to United. Even below his best, as he was last night, the striker has the ability to settle matches in a flash. Beckford's performance against Crewe was not his finest or his most inspired, but the fact that his 36th-minute header separated the teams at full-time simply reiterated his value to both Leeds and Wise. Either side of the goal his chances were limited, but United carried the confident look of a side who expected to protect even the narrowest of advantages. Once the visitors pushed ahead through Beckford's bravery, a seventh away win of the season was almost a formality. The winning goal owed much to Crewe's goalkeeper, Ben Williams, whose rush of blood gave Beckford the simple task of cushioning a header into an empty net. Ben Parker and debutant Peter Sweeney exchanged passes on the left wing, and the latter's cross coaxed Williams into competing for a ball he had little chance of claiming. The keeper ran from his goalline and clattered clumsily into Beckford on the penalty spot, but the forward held his position and directed his finish goalwards before Williams' challenge left him on his back.
Crewe's manager, Steve Holland, described the winning goal as soft but, through patient endeavour, United had earned their lead. Before Beckford's strike, Leeds had hit the crossbar through Andrew Hughes and seen Tore Andre Flo miss Williams' goal with a chance he would have expected to take. Gresty Road did not throw up a classic last night but, in the shadow of their convincing victory over Northampton, United's confidence underwent a second round of repair.
Beyond the result, United's performance was another indication that Wise's activity in the transfer market has successfully tackled the problematic areas of his squad. Sweeney made an excellent debut on the left wing, supplying the thrust and quality of crossing that Leeds have been yearning. Darren Kenton was asked to fill the sizeable shoes of Rui Marques at centre-back, and did so with the confidence of a player who has coped at a level far above League One. He and Paul Huntington kept Crewe in check, and though United were not always comfortable beneath high deliveries into their box, their clean sheet was only briefly threatened.
Crewe's record this season suggested it might be so, yet their unpredictable form made the comfortable nature of last night's victory especially satisfying.
United have strong designs on automatic promotion in spite of the advantage held by Swansea City and Nottingham Forest, and a draw at Gresty Road would have been of limited value. Titles are not won in January, as Wise reiterated before kick-off, but this month had the potential to break Leeds.
The early weeks of the transfer window, however, have rejuvenated United in the way that their manager predicted, and the club have reacted responsibly to the problems experienced in the closing weeks of 2007. A spectacular victory was not essential last night; a win of any sorts was.
The signs were promising after only four minutes when Sweeney's corner was headed against the bar by Hughes, and the first half belonged almost exclusively to Leeds. Sweeney - signed last week from Stoke City - was involved again in the build up to Flo's opportunity on 17 minutes, tricking his way off the left flank and slipping a pass to Beckford inside the box. The striker's lay-off gave Flo space to pick out the corner of Williams' net, but an uncharacteristic finish sliced off the outside of his boot and sailed wide of the keeper's right-hand post.
Casper Ankergren was troubled only once before the interval, diving at the base of his post to block Gary Roberts' header, and Beckford's goal provided a fair relection of a half which Leeds had controlled.
Their lead would have been more substantial, however, had Wise's side been awarded a penalty two minutes after the break. Frazer Richardson's shot from the edge of the box was turned past the post by Ben Rix, and replays later exposed clear use of his arm. Referee Kevin Friend, whose habit of waving away big decisions was hand-washing on the scale of Pontius Pilate, ignored the appeals from Leeds' players, and Wise later exonerated the Leicestershire official by claiming he was unsighted. It is unlikely that United's manager would have been so gracious had Crewe restored parity during the second half.
Within a minute of Rix's intervention, the midfielder was cursing his fortune at the other end of the field, denied a goal by the quick reactions of Ankergren who rushed from his goal to throw his body in front of Rix's low shot.
But the chance fuelled Crewe's optimism, and Ankergren pushed Nicky Maynard's header off the line before Chris McCready nodded the ball against the bar amid a crowd of jostling players in the 69th minute. It was a threat that United took seriously, and from there on Holland's players created little.
Crewe were eventually reduced to 10 men when, having used three substitutes, Holland was forced to withdraw the injured Julien Baudet. With his departure went the Alex's chance of a point.
Jewell, meanwhile, left the stadium shortly before the final whistle, keeping his thoughts to himself. If Derby intend to bid for Beckford then they will show their hand soon enough but, one way or the other, Jewell will expect to see the striker playing in the Championship next season. So will Wise.
Leedsunited.com 14/1/08
BECKS-ELLENT
CREWE 0, UNITED 1 (Beckford 36)
After a busy week in the transfer market, Dennis Wise handed debuts to two of his new signings with Darren Kenton, on loan from Leicester, and Peter Sweeney both being named in the starting line-up. Another new recruit, Bradley Johnson, was named among the subs while skipper Alan Thompson also returned to the bench after injury.
It was one of those new signings, Sweeney, who had the first shot at goal when he fired wide after 90 seconds, following a half-cleared free-kick.
Moments later, Andrew Hughes headed a Sweeney corner against the bar as Leeds started brightly.
It was a good opening by United, who passed the ball well and looked a threat from the first whistle. United's movement was good, and Tore Andre Flo was next to go close after 17 minutes when scooped a shot wide after Jermaine Beckford held the ball up.
But it was Casper Ankergren who made the first save of the game when he got down well to deny Michael O'Connor with a powerful header on 20 minutes.
United's final delivery in the box was the key factor in keeping chances to a minimum during the opening half-hour - Crewe only threatened briefly - but the deadlock was broken on 36 minutes when Beckford bagged his 16th goal of the season.
The striker latched onto a deep cross from Sweeney and headed beyond the reach of a struggling Ben Williams to give United a deserved lead in the contest.
Sweeney was again the tormentor in the final minute of the half when he delivered another threatening cross from the left, but no one was able to make a connection.
United were also quick out of the blocks at the start of the second period, and just 90 seconds in, there were furious protests aimed at the referee after claims that a Frazer Richardson was blatantly handled on the line by Ben Rix.
Crewe responded immediately by forcing Ankergren into making another good save, and the entertainment continued as both sides moved the ball quickly.
Both Kenton and Ben Parker made timely blocks to deny the hosts as they started to look more of a threat when in possession.
The crossbar also came to the rescue after 69 minutes when Chris McCready rattled a header against the woodwork.
With 19 minutes remaining, Bradley Johnson became the third debut of the night when he replaced David Prutton. The youngster's first involvement was to release Andrew Hughes in a good position, but his cross-cum-shot fizzed across the face of goal.
Tresor Kandol was introduced on 77 minutes and his first real involvement was to hold the ball up and create a chance for Beckford - but the striker was unable to apply the finishing touch.
As the assistant referee signalled four minutes of added time, Frazer Richardson tested Williams with a shot from distance as United looked to seal the points.
And that proved to be the last action of the game as United recorded a first away win since November to move back into third place in League One.