Leedsunited.com 21/11/09
UNITED CRUISE TO VICTORY AT BRIGHTON
BRIGHTON 0, UNITED 3 (Snodgrass 27, Beckford 43, Kilkenny 90)
Brighton: Smith, Whing (Navarro 70), Elphick, El-Abd (Davies 78), Cox (McLeod 70), Forster, Tunnicliffe, Murray, Dicker, Crofts, Bennett. Subs: Livermore, Hart, Virgo, Pelling.
United: Ankergren, Bromby, Michalik, Kisnorbo, Hughes, Howson (Prutton 81), Doyle, Kilkenny, Snodgrass, Beckford (Gradel 90), Vokes (Showunmi 84). Subs: Grella, Robinson, Martin, Gradel, White.
Referee: J Linington
Booked: Michalik
Att: 7615
United boss Simon Grayson was forced into making changes to his side with Richard Naylor and Bradley Johnson both missing out through injury. Paddy Kisnorbo returned from international duty and Lubo Michalik was recalled as his partner at the back.
The conditions weren't ideal, with wind and rain, and many of the near-900 away fans were sporting plastic raincoats which were available inside the ground.
The host club were boosted by two victories, following the arrival of Gus Poyet as their new manager, but it was Leeds who had first sight of goal when Jermaine Beckford blasted an effort over the top.
Despite the conditions, the opening was entertaining enough, and on 13 minutes Nicky Forster fired wide for Brighton after working himself an opening.
Brighton goalkeeper Graeme Smith was called into action early on when he saved well from Beckford after some good build-up play. An offside flag would have seen Beckford denied though.
At the other end, Andrew Hughes made a terrific challenge to deny Dean Cox as the visitors broke away quickly to force a 2 v 1 situation in front of the Leeds goal.
United had a penalty shout before the half-hour when Sam Vokes threatened and the ball appeared to hit a Brighton hand, but it was 1-0 moments later.
Robert Snodgrass was the man who fired Leeds ahead with a stunning strike from near the touchline.
And it was almost 2-0 within a minute. Snodgrass delivered a good cross from the left, and Beckford saw his deft touch hit the upright.
Either way, it was a deserved lead for Leeds who were rewarded for taking control in the middle of the park.
Brighton had shown glimpses of decent football, but when Glenn Murray headed wide on 32 minutes it was the first real chance they had created.
On 40 minutes, Snodgrass again tested Brighton goalkeeper Smith from distance, but this time he was equal to the effort.
It was 2-0 before half-time, though. Michalik won the ball at the back, played a short pass to Neil Kilkenny, and the midfielder picked out Beckford with a superb pass. The striker was able to take his time before delivering a cool finish.
And Vokes almost made it three in stoppage time when he worked himself an opening before firing narrowly wide.
The home side did have an opportunity from a free-kick at the start of the second half, but it was Leeds who threatened next, courtesy of Vokes, and Kisnorbo headed wide from a corner kick.
Leeds should have been awarded a penalty on 50 minutes when Snodgrass was clearly wrestled to the floor, but the referee allowed play to continue.
Brighton responded by winning their first corner of the game, but United were looking comfortable.
Kisnorbo again came within a whisker of furthering the advantage when he another bandage layer away from connecting with a Snodgrass free-kick.
United's work-rate was absolutely superb and Brighton were constantly denied space and time by constant pressing.
The home side hadn't been allowed to start the second half with any great purpose, but they put together their best move of the game shortly after the hour when Murray missed a glorious opportunity at the near post.
There were times when it almost looked too easy for Leeds when in possession and some of the play was excellent. The midfield was dominant - Kilkenny's distribution was first class - and the movement of Vokes and Beckford made life tough for Brighton.
As the second half wore on, the conditions became increasingly more difficult with the rain falling harder, but it mattered little to a Leeds side who were edging their way towards yet another professional away success.
And that victory was sealed in the final minute when Kilkenny finished off a great move involving subs David Prutton and Enoch Showunmi by smashing the ball beyond Smith in the Brighton goal.
It was no less than Leeds deserved, following yet another top-class away display by Simon Grayson's men.
UNITED CRUISE TO VICTORY AT BRIGHTON
BRIGHTON 0, UNITED 3 (Snodgrass 27, Beckford 43, Kilkenny 90)
Brighton: Smith, Whing (Navarro 70), Elphick, El-Abd (Davies 78), Cox (McLeod 70), Forster, Tunnicliffe, Murray, Dicker, Crofts, Bennett. Subs: Livermore, Hart, Virgo, Pelling.
United: Ankergren, Bromby, Michalik, Kisnorbo, Hughes, Howson (Prutton 81), Doyle, Kilkenny, Snodgrass, Beckford (Gradel 90), Vokes (Showunmi 84). Subs: Grella, Robinson, Martin, Gradel, White.
Referee: J Linington
Booked: Michalik
Att: 7615
United boss Simon Grayson was forced into making changes to his side with Richard Naylor and Bradley Johnson both missing out through injury. Paddy Kisnorbo returned from international duty and Lubo Michalik was recalled as his partner at the back.
The conditions weren't ideal, with wind and rain, and many of the near-900 away fans were sporting plastic raincoats which were available inside the ground.
The host club were boosted by two victories, following the arrival of Gus Poyet as their new manager, but it was Leeds who had first sight of goal when Jermaine Beckford blasted an effort over the top.
Despite the conditions, the opening was entertaining enough, and on 13 minutes Nicky Forster fired wide for Brighton after working himself an opening.
Brighton goalkeeper Graeme Smith was called into action early on when he saved well from Beckford after some good build-up play. An offside flag would have seen Beckford denied though.
At the other end, Andrew Hughes made a terrific challenge to deny Dean Cox as the visitors broke away quickly to force a 2 v 1 situation in front of the Leeds goal.
United had a penalty shout before the half-hour when Sam Vokes threatened and the ball appeared to hit a Brighton hand, but it was 1-0 moments later.
Robert Snodgrass was the man who fired Leeds ahead with a stunning strike from near the touchline.
And it was almost 2-0 within a minute. Snodgrass delivered a good cross from the left, and Beckford saw his deft touch hit the upright.
Either way, it was a deserved lead for Leeds who were rewarded for taking control in the middle of the park.
Brighton had shown glimpses of decent football, but when Glenn Murray headed wide on 32 minutes it was the first real chance they had created.
On 40 minutes, Snodgrass again tested Brighton goalkeeper Smith from distance, but this time he was equal to the effort.
It was 2-0 before half-time, though. Michalik won the ball at the back, played a short pass to Neil Kilkenny, and the midfielder picked out Beckford with a superb pass. The striker was able to take his time before delivering a cool finish.
And Vokes almost made it three in stoppage time when he worked himself an opening before firing narrowly wide.
The home side did have an opportunity from a free-kick at the start of the second half, but it was Leeds who threatened next, courtesy of Vokes, and Kisnorbo headed wide from a corner kick.
Leeds should have been awarded a penalty on 50 minutes when Snodgrass was clearly wrestled to the floor, but the referee allowed play to continue.
Brighton responded by winning their first corner of the game, but United were looking comfortable.
Kisnorbo again came within a whisker of furthering the advantage when he another bandage layer away from connecting with a Snodgrass free-kick.
United's work-rate was absolutely superb and Brighton were constantly denied space and time by constant pressing.
The home side hadn't been allowed to start the second half with any great purpose, but they put together their best move of the game shortly after the hour when Murray missed a glorious opportunity at the near post.
There were times when it almost looked too easy for Leeds when in possession and some of the play was excellent. The midfield was dominant - Kilkenny's distribution was first class - and the movement of Vokes and Beckford made life tough for Brighton.
As the second half wore on, the conditions became increasingly more difficult with the rain falling harder, but it mattered little to a Leeds side who were edging their way towards yet another professional away success.
And that victory was sealed in the final minute when Kilkenny finished off a great move involving subs David Prutton and Enoch Showunmi by smashing the ball beyond Smith in the Brighton goal.
It was no less than Leeds deserved, following yet another top-class away display by Simon Grayson's men.