McDermott - It's a fantastic start
Brian McDermott reflected on a fantastic start for Leeds United after a dramatic late winner secured three points against Brighton and Hove Albion.
McDermott gave a special mention for the display of goalkeeper Paddy Kenny who made a crucial save just moments before Luke Murphy scored the late winner and McDermott was delighted for the players and the fans who can enjoy their weekend after a great start to the championship season.
Speaking on LUTV, McDermott said, "It was a really good game. We played against a really good team today. They have been developing their team for quite a long time now.
"We kept in the game and we played some really good football of our own.
"Paddy Kenny made a fantastic save at 1-1 and it was the sort of save that wins you football matches. You keep going, try to pinch a late goal and that is what we have done.
"It is a fantastic start for the players and the fans, they will have a good weekend and that is really important to me."
It had all started so differently for McDermott in front of a packed Elland Road after Leonardo Ulloa had fired Brighton into a thirteenth minute lead.
The disappointment of conceding early didn`t stop Leeds and just six minutes later, Ross McCormack scored the first Leeds goal of the season when he drilled home with his left foot from just inside the area.
Leeds dominated the game for long periods, debutant Luke Murphy was enjoying a fine game in midfield, and he twice came close to scoring in the first half.
In the second half, Leeds continued on the front foot but Kenny was having an inspired afternoon in goal for Leeds when called upon and he made a great double save on the hour to keep the scores level.
Both sides made their substitutes as they went for a win. Leeds sub Dominic Poleon was causing the Brighton rear-guard problems and he forced Kuszczak into a full length save and Paul Green should have done better from the rebound.
Leeds were almost made to pay straight away. Brighton subs Lua Lua and Will Buckley combined forcing Kenny into a tremendous save to deny Buckley`s header.
When the sides met in the last competitive game at Elland Road last season, Brighton scored a late winner, something Leeds became accustomed to last season. This season though, Kenny kept the effort out and something Leeds didn`t do last season was to score late winners. Luke Murphy ensured Leeds clinched an opening day win when he latched onto Matt Smith`s knockdown to fire home the winner with almost the last kick off the game.
Last season, only the Ross McCormack winner in the last game of the season at Watford in injury time earned Leeds any points.
A great three points to kick off the new season and just maybe Brian McDermott`s knowledge and good fortune in the championship with former club Reading could rub off at Elland Road with Leeds.
McDermott described the atmosphere inside Elland Road as phenomenal and he was pleased for the fans as Leeds United secured a dramatic late win at Elland Road.
The sun was shining and the 'sold out` signs were up at Elland Road as Leeds fans returned in the droves.
33,432 packed into Elland Road for the opening game, the biggest opening day crowd for ten years, since the days of the Premier League.
It was also the biggest league gate at Elland Road since the visit of Sheffield United in September 2011 and it was almost 12,000 up on last season`s average at Elland Road.
McDermott was delighted to get the win for the fans and he hopes they will continue to come this season.
Speaking on LUTV, McDermott said, "I was pleased for 33,000 Leeds fans today. When they turn up, we want to get a good result, performance, we want our players to play for them, and we want them to come back, that is the most important thing for us.
"The atmosphere inside Elland Road was phenomenal."
McDermott gave a special mention for the display of goalkeeper Paddy Kenny who made a crucial save just moments before Luke Murphy scored the late winner and McDermott was delighted for the players and the fans who can enjoy their weekend after a great start to the championship season.
Speaking on LUTV, McDermott said, "It was a really good game. We played against a really good team today. They have been developing their team for quite a long time now.
"We kept in the game and we played some really good football of our own.
"Paddy Kenny made a fantastic save at 1-1 and it was the sort of save that wins you football matches. You keep going, try to pinch a late goal and that is what we have done.
"It is a fantastic start for the players and the fans, they will have a good weekend and that is really important to me."
It had all started so differently for McDermott in front of a packed Elland Road after Leonardo Ulloa had fired Brighton into a thirteenth minute lead.
The disappointment of conceding early didn`t stop Leeds and just six minutes later, Ross McCormack scored the first Leeds goal of the season when he drilled home with his left foot from just inside the area.
Leeds dominated the game for long periods, debutant Luke Murphy was enjoying a fine game in midfield, and he twice came close to scoring in the first half.
In the second half, Leeds continued on the front foot but Kenny was having an inspired afternoon in goal for Leeds when called upon and he made a great double save on the hour to keep the scores level.
Both sides made their substitutes as they went for a win. Leeds sub Dominic Poleon was causing the Brighton rear-guard problems and he forced Kuszczak into a full length save and Paul Green should have done better from the rebound.
Leeds were almost made to pay straight away. Brighton subs Lua Lua and Will Buckley combined forcing Kenny into a tremendous save to deny Buckley`s header.
When the sides met in the last competitive game at Elland Road last season, Brighton scored a late winner, something Leeds became accustomed to last season. This season though, Kenny kept the effort out and something Leeds didn`t do last season was to score late winners. Luke Murphy ensured Leeds clinched an opening day win when he latched onto Matt Smith`s knockdown to fire home the winner with almost the last kick off the game.
Last season, only the Ross McCormack winner in the last game of the season at Watford in injury time earned Leeds any points.
A great three points to kick off the new season and just maybe Brian McDermott`s knowledge and good fortune in the championship with former club Reading could rub off at Elland Road with Leeds.
McDermott described the atmosphere inside Elland Road as phenomenal and he was pleased for the fans as Leeds United secured a dramatic late win at Elland Road.
The sun was shining and the 'sold out` signs were up at Elland Road as Leeds fans returned in the droves.
33,432 packed into Elland Road for the opening game, the biggest opening day crowd for ten years, since the days of the Premier League.
It was also the biggest league gate at Elland Road since the visit of Sheffield United in September 2011 and it was almost 12,000 up on last season`s average at Elland Road.
McDermott was delighted to get the win for the fans and he hopes they will continue to come this season.
Speaking on LUTV, McDermott said, "I was pleased for 33,000 Leeds fans today. When they turn up, we want to get a good result, performance, we want our players to play for them, and we want them to come back, that is the most important thing for us.
"The atmosphere inside Elland Road was phenomenal."
