leedsunited.com 24/8/10
LATE SPOT-KICK FOXES UNITED
UNITED 1 (Somma 32), LEICESTER CITY 2 (Wellens 66, Howard pen 88)
United manager Simon Grayson made four changes to his starting line-up from the team that comprehensively beat Milwall on Saturday. Max Gradel replaced Lloyd Sam for his first start of the season while Davide Somma also came in for his first start in place of Sanchez Watt. Alex Bruce returned at the back in place of captain Richard Naylor and Kasper Schmeichel made way for Shane Higgs in goal.
Gradel had excited during pre-season and after missing the first four games of the season due to suspension, his first contribution was to play in a teasing ball, but Luciano Becchio couldn't quite get on the end of it.
After the excitement of Saturday's win against the Lions this game was always going to need something special to match up, and it was a tentative if steady opening from both sides.
The opening 20 minutes produced nothing in the way of meaningful chances, although both sides looked to play decent football.
Higgs was called upon to make a save on 25 minutes following a strike from distance, but Leeds replied immediately when Somma turned Jack Hobbs. The ball wouldn't sit for the striker, though, and Moreno cleared the danger.
Bruce also went close before the half-hour when he got up well to head a corner just wide of the mark. Leicester's response was a low cross into the box which no one failed to connect with while the end to end affair continued with Gradel firing over the bar.
But it was Leeds who got the breakthrough when Somma headed home his third goal of the season. Higgs played a long ball out from the band Somma was well-placed to steer home a header from a Gradel cross to make it 1-0.
Moments before half-time, Bradley Johnson almost added a second when his cross-cum-shot from distance was turned away for a corner.
And Leeds almost started the second half with a goal. Gradel rode two challenges in twisting and turning his way into the box, and after being denied by Conrad Logan, Becchio saw his follow-up blocked and cleared.
Leicester responded by pushing forward, but it was Leeds who went close again on 55 minutes when Johnson headed a Neil Kilkenny cross over the top.
Gradel was next to go close when he weaved his way into the box once again before finding his route to goal blocked by Logan.
Leeds were the more lively of the two sides and were playing some good football in the quest for a second, but Leicester were looking to hit the home side on the break by exploiting any gaps.
Bruce made a good block after Michael Lamey raced from the midfield and Leeds were assured in defence when Frank Moussa pumped the ball back into the box.
And Leicester were level on minutes 66. A deflected cross looped into the box, Leeds failed to clear, and Richie Wellens profited from some quick passing to stike the ball sweetly beyond a helpless Higgs.
Moments later, Paul Connolly did enough to put off an advancing Steve Howard after Paul Gallagher whipped in a cross from the right.
It was Higgs who saved United on 71 minutes when Gallagher sent in a superb low ball which Howard turned goalwards.
Grayson's response to the spell of pressure was to make two changes with Andrew Hughes and Watt entering the fray.
With extra-time looming, both sides were pressing to win the game within the 90 minutes.
As both sides searched for a winner, Somma came close for Leeds when he screwed a shot over the bar after working himself an opening outside of the box.
But there was some late drama and it was Leicester who were handed the opportunity to win the game when an unfortunate Neill Collins was adjudged to have handled a bouncing ball inside the area. Howard stepped up to take the spot-kick and slammed the ball home to effectively seal the game and secure Leicester's passage into the third round.
LATE SPOT-KICK FOXES UNITED
UNITED 1 (Somma 32), LEICESTER CITY 2 (Wellens 66, Howard pen 88)
United manager Simon Grayson made four changes to his starting line-up from the team that comprehensively beat Milwall on Saturday. Max Gradel replaced Lloyd Sam for his first start of the season while Davide Somma also came in for his first start in place of Sanchez Watt. Alex Bruce returned at the back in place of captain Richard Naylor and Kasper Schmeichel made way for Shane Higgs in goal.
Gradel had excited during pre-season and after missing the first four games of the season due to suspension, his first contribution was to play in a teasing ball, but Luciano Becchio couldn't quite get on the end of it.
After the excitement of Saturday's win against the Lions this game was always going to need something special to match up, and it was a tentative if steady opening from both sides.
The opening 20 minutes produced nothing in the way of meaningful chances, although both sides looked to play decent football.
Higgs was called upon to make a save on 25 minutes following a strike from distance, but Leeds replied immediately when Somma turned Jack Hobbs. The ball wouldn't sit for the striker, though, and Moreno cleared the danger.
Bruce also went close before the half-hour when he got up well to head a corner just wide of the mark. Leicester's response was a low cross into the box which no one failed to connect with while the end to end affair continued with Gradel firing over the bar.
But it was Leeds who got the breakthrough when Somma headed home his third goal of the season. Higgs played a long ball out from the band Somma was well-placed to steer home a header from a Gradel cross to make it 1-0.
Moments before half-time, Bradley Johnson almost added a second when his cross-cum-shot from distance was turned away for a corner.
And Leeds almost started the second half with a goal. Gradel rode two challenges in twisting and turning his way into the box, and after being denied by Conrad Logan, Becchio saw his follow-up blocked and cleared.
Leicester responded by pushing forward, but it was Leeds who went close again on 55 minutes when Johnson headed a Neil Kilkenny cross over the top.
Gradel was next to go close when he weaved his way into the box once again before finding his route to goal blocked by Logan.
Leeds were the more lively of the two sides and were playing some good football in the quest for a second, but Leicester were looking to hit the home side on the break by exploiting any gaps.
Bruce made a good block after Michael Lamey raced from the midfield and Leeds were assured in defence when Frank Moussa pumped the ball back into the box.
And Leicester were level on minutes 66. A deflected cross looped into the box, Leeds failed to clear, and Richie Wellens profited from some quick passing to stike the ball sweetly beyond a helpless Higgs.
Moments later, Paul Connolly did enough to put off an advancing Steve Howard after Paul Gallagher whipped in a cross from the right.
It was Higgs who saved United on 71 minutes when Gallagher sent in a superb low ball which Howard turned goalwards.
Grayson's response to the spell of pressure was to make two changes with Andrew Hughes and Watt entering the fray.
With extra-time looming, both sides were pressing to win the game within the 90 minutes.
As both sides searched for a winner, Somma came close for Leeds when he screwed a shot over the bar after working himself an opening outside of the box.
But there was some late drama and it was Leicester who were handed the opportunity to win the game when an unfortunate Neill Collins was adjudged to have handled a bouncing ball inside the area. Howard stepped up to take the spot-kick and slammed the ball home to effectively seal the game and secure Leicester's passage into the third round.
