Leedsunited.com 28/12/09
UNITED SEE OFF STOCKPORT
STOCKPORT 2 (Baker 12, Mullins 62), LEEDS UNITED 4 (Snodgrass 2, Beckford 67, Bromby 88, Beckford 90+3)
Stockport: Fon Williams, Mullins, Turnbull, Raynes, Vincent, Thompson (Johnson 76), Baker, Griffin, Poole, Ribeiro, McNeill. Subs: Tansey, Gerrard, Pilkington, Halls, Barnes, Rowe.
United: Ankergren, Bromby, Naylor, Kisnorbo, Hughes, Snodgrass (Gradel 65), Doyle (Howson 65), Kilkenny, Johnson, Becchio (Kandol 76), Beckford. Subs: D Martin, Crowe, Grella, Michalik.
Referee: K Friend
Att: 7768 (3077 Leeds)
Booked: Thompson (Stockport), Snodgrass, Becchio, Bromby, Kisnorbo (Leeds)
An early morning pitch inspection ensured the festive fixture at Edgeley Park would go ahead and United were greeted by a wet playing surface, heavily sanded in certain areas.
United manager Simon Grayson made one change to his starting line-up, following the Boxing Day win against Hartlepool, Bradley Johnson returning in place of Jonny Howson.
Last season, Stockport took the lead inside the opening moments, but this time it was Leeds who did the early damage with a goal inside two minutes. Robert Snodgrass cut in from the right and delivered a superb curling effort beyond the reach of Owain Fon Williams.
Having lost 10 in a row - an 11th would be a club record - Stockport looked vulnerable whenever Leeds had the ball during the opening exhanges, but it was also clear that the wet and slippy conditions would be something of a leveller with both sides struggling to keep their feet and their composure.
One positive feature for Stockport during their barren run has been the spirit shown by their young players and they were level on 12 minutes, courtesy of the prolific Carl Baker. The striker won a free-kick on the edge of the box after a mazy run was halted, and he stepped up to convert a skidding effort into the far corner.
United almost went back in front on 20 minutes. Bradley Johnson sent in a cross from the left after Micky Doyle hooked the ball forward and Luciano Becchio was denied by a terrific block from Fon Williams.
Before the half-hour it was the turn of Casper Ankergren to make a double save to deny Christian Ribeiro after some good build-up play by the home side.
Moments later, it was the woodwork which came to Stockport's rescue when a well-struck volley from Johnson rattled the bar. United were also denied by a linesman's flag in the 33rd minute when Luciano Becchio was adjudged to have used his hands to bring the ball down in front of goal.
Robert Snodgrass had only just been booked and referee Kevin Friend made it three yellows in the space of three minutes when Leigh Bromby had his name taken for a challenge. The conditions under-foot were contriving to make the game look ill-tempered with players going to ground on a regular basis.
United enjoyed a good spell of pressure in the period leading up to half-time, but the home side were getting men behind the ball and were making important blocks. Snodgrass had one effort headed away while Neil Kilkenny had a cross cleared. Michael Raynes was also at full stretch to head away another dangerous ball in from Snodgrass.
And in the third minute of stoppage time, Adam Griffin read the play well to cut out a pass from Becchio which would have released Jermaine Beckford through on goal.
The second half started in familar fashion with robust challenges and players struggling to keep their feet, but the first opportunity fell to Stockport striker Matty McNeill who blazed over when well-placed to test Ankergren.
But, while Ankergren went untroubled on that occasion, Stockport's Fon Williams was forced into pulling off another terrific save to prevent a Kilkenny shot from going in the top corner. He also had to react quickly to smother the ball with Beckford looking to pounce.
It was the home side who got their noses in front, though, in the 62nd minute. A cross came over from the Stockport left and Johnny Mullins, who scored in the same fixture last season, stooped to head beyond Ankergren.
Almost immediately Grayson made a double change, introducing both Max Gradel and Jonny Howson as his looked to get back into the contest.
And Leeds were on level terms within six minutes. Paddy Kisnorbo delivered a looping cross from the left and Beckford got up well to head beyond Fon Williams to make it 2-2.
Moments later, United's leading goalscorer almost bagged a second when he was inches away from connecting with a low cross from Gradel. The loan man looked to inject some pace and individuality into proceedings and on 74 minutes he scooped a shot over the top after a terrific solo run.
Gradel also delivered a good cross on 79 minutes - following a great ball from Kilkenny - that resulted in Johnson coming within a whisker of heading Leeds in front.
Tresor Kandol also joined proceedings and Leeds were starting to dominate in search of a winner as the game entered the final eight minutes. Paul Turnbull did try his luck for Stockport, though, on 86 minutes with an effort which fizzed wide of the mark.
But it was Leeds who went back in front just 60 seconds later with what looked like being the winner. Gradel hooked a ball into the box, Stockport half-cleared, and Bromby arrived to smash home an absolute beauty for his first goal for the club. The strike was a pearler and it prompted mass celebrations on the pitch, in the Leeds dug-out, and of course in the away sections.
Four minutes were added on and in the third of those it was game over. Kandol flicked on an Ankergren ball forward and Beckford seized to deliver a great finish to make it 4-2 to further strengthen United's position at the top of League One.
In the final minute Stockport were reduced to 10 men when David Poole received his marching orders for a foul on Gradel. It was a straight red card and tempers overflowed with niggles breaking out across the pitch, Kisnorbo seeing yellow for one such altercation.
Yorkshire Post 28/12/09
Leeds United 3 Hartlepool United 1: All is forgiven as sulking star fires Leeds to yet another win
By Richard Sutcliffe
FROM sinner to scorer, prize chump to champ. A week on from the fit of pique that left Leeds United fans furious with Jermaine Beckford, the enigma that is the club's top scorer displays in all its glory the side of his character that has brought teams with genuine Premier League aspirations flocking to Elland Road.
The 26-year-old netted twice as United came from behind against a gutsy Hartlepool United to claim a 16th win of the season and extend their lead at the top of League One to six points.
It was the perfect riposte by Beckford to the jeering from the terraces that had followed his petulant reaction to being substituted in the victory over Southampton, an open display of dissent that left many wondering whether Leeds manager Simon Grayson would choose to cash in on his prized asset once the January transfer window opened. Certainly, with Newcastle United understood to have already made a firm enquiry and Middlesbrough also showing interest there is no shortage of admirers for a striker whose contract is due to expire next summer.
Grayson, for his part, has never publicly wavered from the stance that Beckford will only leave if a "ridiculous" offer comes in, the Leeds manager again reiterating the point after watching the striker take his goal tally to 71 in 108 starts.
The United manager said: "Everyone is pleased. We put the matter (Beckford's dissent against Southampton) to bed on Monday morning and it was pleasing to see Jermaine react how he did.
"We have said all along that when you have a goalscorer like Jermaine you have an opportunity to win matches.
"He showed his class but we are not a one-man team, by any means. We have won games without Jermaine this year and we have won games when he has not performed.
"But he is a goalscorer and the stance since the summer has been that he leaves on a free next summer, he signs a new contract or the only way he leaves before that is if we get a ridiculous offer that will benefit the club to bring in other people."
Asked if he was expecting any enquiries once the window opens, Grayson replied: "Goalscorers are always in demand, so I am expecting people to ring about him.
"But the only conversation we will have is whether it will be beneficial to the club. Hopefully, that won't be the case.
"With sources in the North East indicating Newcastle, who have been told by Aston Villa that loanee Marlon Harewood will not return to the Championship leaders unless a permanent deal can be agreed, are likely to follow up their initial enquiry about Beckford with a bid it means United could soon have a very big decision to make.
Do the League One leaders fight tooth and nail to keep their star striker at Elland Road? Or, do they sell and use the money to bring in a ready-made replacement that can help them push for promotion?
One man who is certain the Yorkshire club should hold on to their top scorer is Hartlepool manager Chris Turner, who said after his side's 3-1 defeat: "If Beckford is still here in January then his goals will take Leeds up by a mile."
Turner's praise was understandable after the decisive role played by Beckford in the win over Hartlepool with the striker's instinctive finish on 38 minutes not only cancelling out the visitors' lead but also settling nerves among the bumper 30,191 crowd.
Leeds had gone behind 13 minutes earlier when slack marking allowed Armann Bjornsson to finish at the far post after Ritchie Humphreys's corner had been flicked on by Sam Collins and Peter Hartley.
The goal clearly rocked the hosts, Hartlepool twice going close to doubling their advantage soon after when Adam Boyd's shot was deflected narrowly wide before Casper Ankergren made a hash of collecting a routine cross and Leigh Bromby had to clear. Beckford's clever diverting of Neil Kilkenny's volley past Scott Flinders brought Leeds level before a Gary Liddle own goal in the fourth-minute of stoppage time ensured the home side went in ahead.
The defender was unfortunate to see Luciano Becchio's wayward header crash against the back of his head and into the net, Hartlepool's frustration only being added to by the Argentinian having clearly handled the ball during the build-up.
Beckford then put the result beyond doubt on 69 minutes with a deft finish after Becchio had flicked a long ball forward into his strike-partner's path, underlining in the process just how long a week can be in football as well as politics by leaving the field to cheers rather than jeers.
Northern Echo 28/12/09
Beckford tops Hughton’s wanted list
Scott Wilson
MARLON Harewood has outlined his desire to return to Newcastle for the second half of the season, but the striker’s future is likely to hinge on whether the Magpies can tie up a deal for Leeds United forward Jermaine Beckford.
Harewood made the final appearance of his loan deal from Aston Villa in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Sheffield Wednesday, and while the 30- year-old is hoping to be back on Tyneside at the start of next month, Newcastle boss Chris Hughton currently regards him as a second choice behind Beckford.
Newcastle officials are understood to have been in touch with their counterparts at Elland Road last week to outline the club’s interest in Leeds’ leading goalscorer, who scored twice in his side’s 3-1 win over Hartlepool at the weekend.
Beckford, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has consistently refused to sign a new deal in West Yorkshire, and while Simon Grayson took him off the transfer list in the summer, the Leeds boss is now resigned to losing his star striker’s services next month.
Newcastle are far from the only club to harbour an interest, but the Magpies made tentative inquiries about Beckford’s position in the close season, and the Londoner is known to be keen on a move to the North-East.
His contractual status means he will not be an expensive option – sources in Yorkshire expect a bid of around £1.5m to be accepted at Elland Road, and Beckford’s current wages are understood to be less than £15,000-a-week and with Mike Ashley promising to make a limited transfer budget available next month, Hughton is expected to table a formal offer in the opening week of the transfer window.
Beckford’s arrival would scupper Harewood’s hopes of a return to St James’, as Hughton will only be signing one striker given a need to also reinforce his side’s defence.
To further complicate matters, Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill is reluctant to allow Harewood to leave on a second loan deal, preferring instead to sell the striker permanently for a fee.
That could also bring Newcastle’s interest to an end, as Ashley is unlikely to sanction a significant outlay on a 30- year-old who would have little or no sell-on value.
Nevertheless, Harewood remains hopeful that he will be able to contribute to the Magpies’ promotion push in the second half of the season.
Saturday’s appearance was his 15th in a Newcastle shirt, and his tally of five goals represents a decent enough return given his slow start following an ankle injury.
“I’d love to come back until the end of the season or longer, and finish the job,” said Harewood, who cost Villa £4m when he signed from West Ham in 2007. “But it’s up to the gaffer if he wants me and the two clubs to sort it out now.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, no-one has told me anything yet. Players don’t really get involved in that – you never really know until it actually happens, so I’ll just have to wait and see.
“But my time at Newcastle has been unbelievable. I’ve really enjoyed it, the fans have been great, and the lads have been terrific. I feel I’ve got better with every game.”
Hughton is known to have been impressed with Harewood’s efforts, and if a deal cannot be agreed for Beckford, the Magpies manager will make a renewed approach to Villa in an attempt to engineer a return for the Hampstead- born marksman.
Either way, Hughton is determined to ensure that any lingering uncertainty does not wreck the stability and spirit that has been engendered in the opening half of the season.
The transfer window officially opens on Friday, and Newcastle will attempt to conduct their business as quickly as possible.
“We have options, but the main thing I want to avoid is any of the situations dragging on deep into January,” said Hughton. “My biggest hope is that we can put everything to bed early.
“We’re aware of the situation, and we know we have decisions to make. We’re in the process of making those, and I’m confident it won’t be something that becomes a protracted issue.”
UNITED SEE OFF STOCKPORT
STOCKPORT 2 (Baker 12, Mullins 62), LEEDS UNITED 4 (Snodgrass 2, Beckford 67, Bromby 88, Beckford 90+3)
Stockport: Fon Williams, Mullins, Turnbull, Raynes, Vincent, Thompson (Johnson 76), Baker, Griffin, Poole, Ribeiro, McNeill. Subs: Tansey, Gerrard, Pilkington, Halls, Barnes, Rowe.
United: Ankergren, Bromby, Naylor, Kisnorbo, Hughes, Snodgrass (Gradel 65), Doyle (Howson 65), Kilkenny, Johnson, Becchio (Kandol 76), Beckford. Subs: D Martin, Crowe, Grella, Michalik.
Referee: K Friend
Att: 7768 (3077 Leeds)
Booked: Thompson (Stockport), Snodgrass, Becchio, Bromby, Kisnorbo (Leeds)
An early morning pitch inspection ensured the festive fixture at Edgeley Park would go ahead and United were greeted by a wet playing surface, heavily sanded in certain areas.
United manager Simon Grayson made one change to his starting line-up, following the Boxing Day win against Hartlepool, Bradley Johnson returning in place of Jonny Howson.
Last season, Stockport took the lead inside the opening moments, but this time it was Leeds who did the early damage with a goal inside two minutes. Robert Snodgrass cut in from the right and delivered a superb curling effort beyond the reach of Owain Fon Williams.
Having lost 10 in a row - an 11th would be a club record - Stockport looked vulnerable whenever Leeds had the ball during the opening exhanges, but it was also clear that the wet and slippy conditions would be something of a leveller with both sides struggling to keep their feet and their composure.
One positive feature for Stockport during their barren run has been the spirit shown by their young players and they were level on 12 minutes, courtesy of the prolific Carl Baker. The striker won a free-kick on the edge of the box after a mazy run was halted, and he stepped up to convert a skidding effort into the far corner.
United almost went back in front on 20 minutes. Bradley Johnson sent in a cross from the left after Micky Doyle hooked the ball forward and Luciano Becchio was denied by a terrific block from Fon Williams.
Before the half-hour it was the turn of Casper Ankergren to make a double save to deny Christian Ribeiro after some good build-up play by the home side.
Moments later, it was the woodwork which came to Stockport's rescue when a well-struck volley from Johnson rattled the bar. United were also denied by a linesman's flag in the 33rd minute when Luciano Becchio was adjudged to have used his hands to bring the ball down in front of goal.
Robert Snodgrass had only just been booked and referee Kevin Friend made it three yellows in the space of three minutes when Leigh Bromby had his name taken for a challenge. The conditions under-foot were contriving to make the game look ill-tempered with players going to ground on a regular basis.
United enjoyed a good spell of pressure in the period leading up to half-time, but the home side were getting men behind the ball and were making important blocks. Snodgrass had one effort headed away while Neil Kilkenny had a cross cleared. Michael Raynes was also at full stretch to head away another dangerous ball in from Snodgrass.
And in the third minute of stoppage time, Adam Griffin read the play well to cut out a pass from Becchio which would have released Jermaine Beckford through on goal.
The second half started in familar fashion with robust challenges and players struggling to keep their feet, but the first opportunity fell to Stockport striker Matty McNeill who blazed over when well-placed to test Ankergren.
But, while Ankergren went untroubled on that occasion, Stockport's Fon Williams was forced into pulling off another terrific save to prevent a Kilkenny shot from going in the top corner. He also had to react quickly to smother the ball with Beckford looking to pounce.
It was the home side who got their noses in front, though, in the 62nd minute. A cross came over from the Stockport left and Johnny Mullins, who scored in the same fixture last season, stooped to head beyond Ankergren.
Almost immediately Grayson made a double change, introducing both Max Gradel and Jonny Howson as his looked to get back into the contest.
And Leeds were on level terms within six minutes. Paddy Kisnorbo delivered a looping cross from the left and Beckford got up well to head beyond Fon Williams to make it 2-2.
Moments later, United's leading goalscorer almost bagged a second when he was inches away from connecting with a low cross from Gradel. The loan man looked to inject some pace and individuality into proceedings and on 74 minutes he scooped a shot over the top after a terrific solo run.
Gradel also delivered a good cross on 79 minutes - following a great ball from Kilkenny - that resulted in Johnson coming within a whisker of heading Leeds in front.
Tresor Kandol also joined proceedings and Leeds were starting to dominate in search of a winner as the game entered the final eight minutes. Paul Turnbull did try his luck for Stockport, though, on 86 minutes with an effort which fizzed wide of the mark.
But it was Leeds who went back in front just 60 seconds later with what looked like being the winner. Gradel hooked a ball into the box, Stockport half-cleared, and Bromby arrived to smash home an absolute beauty for his first goal for the club. The strike was a pearler and it prompted mass celebrations on the pitch, in the Leeds dug-out, and of course in the away sections.
Four minutes were added on and in the third of those it was game over. Kandol flicked on an Ankergren ball forward and Beckford seized to deliver a great finish to make it 4-2 to further strengthen United's position at the top of League One.
In the final minute Stockport were reduced to 10 men when David Poole received his marching orders for a foul on Gradel. It was a straight red card and tempers overflowed with niggles breaking out across the pitch, Kisnorbo seeing yellow for one such altercation.
Yorkshire Post 28/12/09
Leeds United 3 Hartlepool United 1: All is forgiven as sulking star fires Leeds to yet another win
By Richard Sutcliffe
FROM sinner to scorer, prize chump to champ. A week on from the fit of pique that left Leeds United fans furious with Jermaine Beckford, the enigma that is the club's top scorer displays in all its glory the side of his character that has brought teams with genuine Premier League aspirations flocking to Elland Road.
The 26-year-old netted twice as United came from behind against a gutsy Hartlepool United to claim a 16th win of the season and extend their lead at the top of League One to six points.
It was the perfect riposte by Beckford to the jeering from the terraces that had followed his petulant reaction to being substituted in the victory over Southampton, an open display of dissent that left many wondering whether Leeds manager Simon Grayson would choose to cash in on his prized asset once the January transfer window opened. Certainly, with Newcastle United understood to have already made a firm enquiry and Middlesbrough also showing interest there is no shortage of admirers for a striker whose contract is due to expire next summer.
Grayson, for his part, has never publicly wavered from the stance that Beckford will only leave if a "ridiculous" offer comes in, the Leeds manager again reiterating the point after watching the striker take his goal tally to 71 in 108 starts.
The United manager said: "Everyone is pleased. We put the matter (Beckford's dissent against Southampton) to bed on Monday morning and it was pleasing to see Jermaine react how he did.
"We have said all along that when you have a goalscorer like Jermaine you have an opportunity to win matches.
"He showed his class but we are not a one-man team, by any means. We have won games without Jermaine this year and we have won games when he has not performed.
"But he is a goalscorer and the stance since the summer has been that he leaves on a free next summer, he signs a new contract or the only way he leaves before that is if we get a ridiculous offer that will benefit the club to bring in other people."
Asked if he was expecting any enquiries once the window opens, Grayson replied: "Goalscorers are always in demand, so I am expecting people to ring about him.
"But the only conversation we will have is whether it will be beneficial to the club. Hopefully, that won't be the case.
"With sources in the North East indicating Newcastle, who have been told by Aston Villa that loanee Marlon Harewood will not return to the Championship leaders unless a permanent deal can be agreed, are likely to follow up their initial enquiry about Beckford with a bid it means United could soon have a very big decision to make.
Do the League One leaders fight tooth and nail to keep their star striker at Elland Road? Or, do they sell and use the money to bring in a ready-made replacement that can help them push for promotion?
One man who is certain the Yorkshire club should hold on to their top scorer is Hartlepool manager Chris Turner, who said after his side's 3-1 defeat: "If Beckford is still here in January then his goals will take Leeds up by a mile."
Turner's praise was understandable after the decisive role played by Beckford in the win over Hartlepool with the striker's instinctive finish on 38 minutes not only cancelling out the visitors' lead but also settling nerves among the bumper 30,191 crowd.
Leeds had gone behind 13 minutes earlier when slack marking allowed Armann Bjornsson to finish at the far post after Ritchie Humphreys's corner had been flicked on by Sam Collins and Peter Hartley.
The goal clearly rocked the hosts, Hartlepool twice going close to doubling their advantage soon after when Adam Boyd's shot was deflected narrowly wide before Casper Ankergren made a hash of collecting a routine cross and Leigh Bromby had to clear. Beckford's clever diverting of Neil Kilkenny's volley past Scott Flinders brought Leeds level before a Gary Liddle own goal in the fourth-minute of stoppage time ensured the home side went in ahead.
The defender was unfortunate to see Luciano Becchio's wayward header crash against the back of his head and into the net, Hartlepool's frustration only being added to by the Argentinian having clearly handled the ball during the build-up.
Beckford then put the result beyond doubt on 69 minutes with a deft finish after Becchio had flicked a long ball forward into his strike-partner's path, underlining in the process just how long a week can be in football as well as politics by leaving the field to cheers rather than jeers.
Northern Echo 28/12/09
Beckford tops Hughton’s wanted list
Scott Wilson
MARLON Harewood has outlined his desire to return to Newcastle for the second half of the season, but the striker’s future is likely to hinge on whether the Magpies can tie up a deal for Leeds United forward Jermaine Beckford.
Harewood made the final appearance of his loan deal from Aston Villa in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Sheffield Wednesday, and while the 30- year-old is hoping to be back on Tyneside at the start of next month, Newcastle boss Chris Hughton currently regards him as a second choice behind Beckford.
Newcastle officials are understood to have been in touch with their counterparts at Elland Road last week to outline the club’s interest in Leeds’ leading goalscorer, who scored twice in his side’s 3-1 win over Hartlepool at the weekend.
Beckford, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has consistently refused to sign a new deal in West Yorkshire, and while Simon Grayson took him off the transfer list in the summer, the Leeds boss is now resigned to losing his star striker’s services next month.
Newcastle are far from the only club to harbour an interest, but the Magpies made tentative inquiries about Beckford’s position in the close season, and the Londoner is known to be keen on a move to the North-East.
His contractual status means he will not be an expensive option – sources in Yorkshire expect a bid of around £1.5m to be accepted at Elland Road, and Beckford’s current wages are understood to be less than £15,000-a-week and with Mike Ashley promising to make a limited transfer budget available next month, Hughton is expected to table a formal offer in the opening week of the transfer window.
Beckford’s arrival would scupper Harewood’s hopes of a return to St James’, as Hughton will only be signing one striker given a need to also reinforce his side’s defence.
To further complicate matters, Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill is reluctant to allow Harewood to leave on a second loan deal, preferring instead to sell the striker permanently for a fee.
That could also bring Newcastle’s interest to an end, as Ashley is unlikely to sanction a significant outlay on a 30- year-old who would have little or no sell-on value.
Nevertheless, Harewood remains hopeful that he will be able to contribute to the Magpies’ promotion push in the second half of the season.
Saturday’s appearance was his 15th in a Newcastle shirt, and his tally of five goals represents a decent enough return given his slow start following an ankle injury.
“I’d love to come back until the end of the season or longer, and finish the job,” said Harewood, who cost Villa £4m when he signed from West Ham in 2007. “But it’s up to the gaffer if he wants me and the two clubs to sort it out now.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, no-one has told me anything yet. Players don’t really get involved in that – you never really know until it actually happens, so I’ll just have to wait and see.
“But my time at Newcastle has been unbelievable. I’ve really enjoyed it, the fans have been great, and the lads have been terrific. I feel I’ve got better with every game.”
Hughton is known to have been impressed with Harewood’s efforts, and if a deal cannot be agreed for Beckford, the Magpies manager will make a renewed approach to Villa in an attempt to engineer a return for the Hampstead- born marksman.
Either way, Hughton is determined to ensure that any lingering uncertainty does not wreck the stability and spirit that has been engendered in the opening half of the season.
The transfer window officially opens on Friday, and Newcastle will attempt to conduct their business as quickly as possible.
“We have options, but the main thing I want to avoid is any of the situations dragging on deep into January,” said Hughton. “My biggest hope is that we can put everything to bed early.
“We’re aware of the situation, and we know we have decisions to make. We’re in the process of making those, and I’m confident it won’t be something that becomes a protracted issue.”