Southampton 1 Leeds United 0 - shot-shy Whites leapfrogged by Saints after flat display at St Mary's - YEP 16/10/21
Leeds United fell to a fourth defeat of the Premier League season as an extremely flat performance against Southampton at St Mary's led to a 1-0 defeat.
By Lee Sobot
Leeds were missing Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips in addition
to Patrick Bamford, Luke Ayling, Robin Koch and also Junior Firpo for the
contest against the previously winless Saints.
Southampton dominated the first half in which it took Leeds
until the 45th minute to produce their first shot as Tyler Roberts turned and
sent an effort narrowly over the bar.
Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa opted against making any
changes during the interval and Leeds finally went close seven minutes after
the restart as Jack Harrison cut in from the left and saw his shot deflected
behind for a corner.
But one minute later the Saints were in front after
finishing a rapid counter attack, Nathan Redmond sending in a cross from the
left that Armando Broja slammed home from the middle of the box.
Bielsa then opted to make a change and took off record
signing Rodrigo but it was a midfielder in Adam Forshaw who was brought on as
Roberts was pushed upfront.
Leeds then had a chance to draw level when Dan James picked
the pockets of the Saints defence but sent his shot wide as Alex McCarthy came
off his line.
But Southampton continued to dominate and squandered more
good openings before Bielsa finally brought on young forward Joe Gelhardt for
Mateusz Klich with 16 minutes left.
Crysencio Summerville then replaced Roberts with eight
minutes left on the clock but Leeds failed to fashion another opening as part
of a contest in which they managed just three shots at goal, none of which were
on target.
The defeat left Leeds fourth-bottom, three points above
third-bottom Newcastle United who are at home to Tottenham on Sunday in what is
now a game in hand.
Southampton climbed to 15th, two places and one point above
the Whites.
Southampton: McCarthy; Livramento, Bednarek, Salisu,
Perraud; Diallo, Romeu; Djenepo (Armstrong 59), Elyounoussi (Tella 90),
Redmond; Broja (Walcott 81). Subs: Walker-Peters, Lyanco, Long, Armstrong,
Valery.
Leeds United: Meslier, Shackleton, Llorente, Cooper, Dallas,
Struijk, Klich (Gelhardt 76), James, Harrison, Roberts, Rodrigo (Forshaw 65).
Subs: Klaesson, Cresswell, Hjelde, Drameh, McKinstry, Summerville, Greenwood.
Referee: David Coote.
