Leeds steal win with stunning fightback
Telegraph 16/9/14
By Gordon Simpson
When it comes to Leeds United, drama is rarely in short supply. There was plenty of it in evidence here, as the managerless Whites launched an improbable late fightback to win a match Bournemouth had dominated.
The result was another feather in the cap of Neil Redfearn, the caretaker manager whose side have earned seven points in the three games since he replaced the sacked Dave Hockaday.
Nonetheless Massimo Cellino, the Leeds owner, insists that Redfearn is not in the running for the position on a permanent basis.
Darko Milanic, manager of the Austrian club Sturm Graz, is the latest to be linked with the post, as well as Alejandro Sabella, the former Leeds player who guided Argentina to the World Cup final this summer, and Redfearn is unsure whether he will be in charge when Huddersfield visit Elland Road on Saturday.
He said: “I know Massimo has got a coach in mind, and people in mind, but I will leave that process to him. I’ve enjoyed being in charge. I think the lads have responded well. We’re in a far better position now. The supporters have suffered for a while, but this might be the start of something.”
Ahead of making an appointment, Cellino received some advice from a former Leeds player, although he would not have liked much of what the Bournemouth left-back Ian Harte had to say in the programme. Harte accused the Italian of treating Hockaday as a “puppet”, suggested it did not look like he wanted to spend any money, and slammed him for a “lack of respect” because Leeds sacked people this summer who had “put their life and soul into the club”.
Those comments will not go down well with Cellino, but many may agree with another of Harte’s assessments, that Leeds should hire a “proven, strong manager”.
They were overwhelmed in the opening half-hour by Bournemouth, who led after Andrew Surman’s crisp low strike from the edge of the area in the sixth minute. In a breathless start, the Cherries were also twice denied by fine saves from Marco Silvestri, while Callum Wilson wasted a great chance when clean through.
They paid for their profligacy when Leeds produced an unlikely rally to win the game.
Souleymane Doukara levelled midway through the second half, finding the bottom corner after being played through by Tommaso Bianchi.
Giuseppe Bellusci then found the top corner with a 25-yard free-kick, before Mirco Antenucci broke clear in the 90th minute to add a third.
Eddie Howe, the Bournemouth manager, whose team are now without a win in five league games, said: “We really should have come in with more than a goal’s lead. We have to be more clinical.”
By Gordon Simpson
When it comes to Leeds United, drama is rarely in short supply. There was plenty of it in evidence here, as the managerless Whites launched an improbable late fightback to win a match Bournemouth had dominated.
The result was another feather in the cap of Neil Redfearn, the caretaker manager whose side have earned seven points in the three games since he replaced the sacked Dave Hockaday.
Nonetheless Massimo Cellino, the Leeds owner, insists that Redfearn is not in the running for the position on a permanent basis.
Darko Milanic, manager of the Austrian club Sturm Graz, is the latest to be linked with the post, as well as Alejandro Sabella, the former Leeds player who guided Argentina to the World Cup final this summer, and Redfearn is unsure whether he will be in charge when Huddersfield visit Elland Road on Saturday.
He said: “I know Massimo has got a coach in mind, and people in mind, but I will leave that process to him. I’ve enjoyed being in charge. I think the lads have responded well. We’re in a far better position now. The supporters have suffered for a while, but this might be the start of something.”
Ahead of making an appointment, Cellino received some advice from a former Leeds player, although he would not have liked much of what the Bournemouth left-back Ian Harte had to say in the programme. Harte accused the Italian of treating Hockaday as a “puppet”, suggested it did not look like he wanted to spend any money, and slammed him for a “lack of respect” because Leeds sacked people this summer who had “put their life and soul into the club”.
Those comments will not go down well with Cellino, but many may agree with another of Harte’s assessments, that Leeds should hire a “proven, strong manager”.
They were overwhelmed in the opening half-hour by Bournemouth, who led after Andrew Surman’s crisp low strike from the edge of the area in the sixth minute. In a breathless start, the Cherries were also twice denied by fine saves from Marco Silvestri, while Callum Wilson wasted a great chance when clean through.
They paid for their profligacy when Leeds produced an unlikely rally to win the game.
Souleymane Doukara levelled midway through the second half, finding the bottom corner after being played through by Tommaso Bianchi.
Giuseppe Bellusci then found the top corner with a 25-yard free-kick, before Mirco Antenucci broke clear in the 90th minute to add a third.
Eddie Howe, the Bournemouth manager, whose team are now without a win in five league games, said: “We really should have come in with more than a goal’s lead. We have to be more clinical.”