Warnock’s backing striker Morison
By Phil Hay
Steve Morison answered criticism of his form with two clinical goals against Crystal Palace, earning the praise of Leeds United manager Neil Warnock.
United’s boss rounded on critics of Morison after the striker’s second-half brace earned Leeds a 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Warnock saluted the attitude and work-ethic of a player whose performances have been closely scrutinised since his move to Elland Road from Norwich City in January.
Morison joined Leeds in a deal which took United’s top-scorer Luciano Becchio to Carrow Road and his first seven appearances for the Championship club yielded just one goal.
But he produced two deadly finishes on another frustrating afternoon for Leeds, putting the club on course for a priceless win over Palace.
Glenn Murray’s 85th minute equaliser denied United the chance to move to within four points of the Championship play-offs with 10 games remaining but Warnock was pleased to see Morison make his mark.
Warnock said: “Steve’s done well for us and he’s taken a bit of pressure of me in the last few weeks.
“The fans have given him stick instead of me so he’s done well for me. I don’t know what will happen on the phone-ins now.
“He knows what I think about him and he’s been good since he’s been here, even in the games when he’s been given stick.
“I think he’s contributed and made other opportunities for other players. That’s what I look for in a striker – how much they put into the team. He’s a team player, not an individual like we’re used to.”
Morison struck for the first time on 55 minutes, cancelling out a first-half header from Murray.
The ex-Millwall forward scored again 12 minutes later with an instinctive volley but Palace averted defeat when Murray tucked away his 30th goal of an outstanding individual season with time running out.
Palace are now unbeaten in 18 consecutive league matches at Selhurst Park but despite insisting his players had enough chances to win the match, manager Ian Holloway said: “That was against as good a Leeds team as I’ve seen in quite a while.”